As the only society representing licensed professional engineers of all disciplines, the National Society of Professional Engineers was extremely saddened by the I-35 bridge collapse in Minnesota. PEs value the public's health, safety, and welfare above all else, and NSPE's thoughts and condolences go out to the victims, their families, and the citizens of Minneapolis.

The National Society of Professional Engineers' feature publication and top rated member benefit, PE magazine, has been presented with a Magnum Opus Award in the Most Improved Design category by Publications Management and the Missouri University School of Journalism.

Whether you want to sign and seal engineering plans, open your own engineering firm, or just show you are at the pinnacle of your profession, you can now add another reason to become a licensed professional engineer. According to the latest results from The Engineering Income & Salary Survey, sponsored by the National Societyof Professional Engineers, PEs earn an average of 20 percent more in salary than engineers with no professional license.

New and improved products stimulate the life and growth of our country, while demonstrating the innovative use of engineering principles and providing overall benefit to society. The National Society of Professional Engineers is seeking those innovative products and their inventors for consideration in the New Product Awards program, which has been newly expanded to provide greater recognition for both the products and the companies that create them. The awards program is sponsored by NSPE's Professional Engineers in Industry.

Members can now stay up-to-date on the latest industry-related news through a new partnership between the National Society of Professional Engineers and U.S. News Custom Briefings. Beginning November 6, members will receive Daily Designs, a daily customized newsletter containing the most up-to-the-minute and comprehensive news for professional engineers.

While debates about a shortage of U.S. engineers and the future of the profession continue, engineers can finally focus on some good news: both engineering salaries and graduation rates are still on the rise. According to recent data from The Engineering Income & Salary Survey, median salaries for engineers are up over ten percent from 2006, and up more than 19 percent from 2005. And other statistics show the number of engineering graduates is also strong, with almost 75,000 new engineering bachelor's degrees awarded in the 2005–06 academic year.

Capt. Anthony Todd Zimmer, Ph.D, P.E., C.I.H., a U.S. Public Health Service Officer and senior engineer with the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been named the National Society of Professional Engineers' 2008 Federal Engineer of the Year. Zimmer received the honor during the 29th Annual FEYA Banquet at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on February 21, 2008.

While the cost of living and salaries vary based on metropolitan area or region, recent data shows that engineering salaries across the nation remain above average. According to information from The Engineering Income & Salary Survey, the gap between the highest and lowest median engineering salaries based on geographic location is only $19,000.

The National Society of Professional Engineers has named 21 professional engineers to its 2008 class of Fellow Members. The Fellow membership grade honors those active NSPE members who have demonstrated exemplary and devoted service to their profession, their Society and their community.

The Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee, a leading publisher of construction contracts and forms, has published a revised edition of its standard Payment Bond form. The new form, EJCDC C-615(A), is intended to be used on an interim basis as a substitute for EJCDC's standard payment bond form, EJCDC C-615, pending a full review and re-issuance of the standard form. The National Society of Professional Engineers encourages the purchase and use of the interim form.