About New Build: Constructing a Civil Engineering Program around a Framework of Faith Integration
| Authors | Dittenber, David B. |
|---|---|
| Date | 2022 |
| Proceedings | Proceedings of the 2022 Christian Engineering Conference |
| Place | University of Northwestern u2013 St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Vol / Pages | pp. 221-235 |
| URL | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zk6JxgxfFbPtrNm5pL_82KqepHiWG0Re/view |
Type: Conference Paper
Tags: Christian Engineering
Abstract
Cedarville University’s decision to add a new civil engineering program several years ago presented a unique opportunity – at a university with a healthy existing engineering infrastructure and strong administrative support, what does it look like to construct a civil engineering program with a focus on excellent educational experiences and faith integration? Within a short timeframe, developments have included faculty hiring, the creation and implementation of a new academic curriculum, facility planning and construction, and the promotion of a healthy program culture amongst faculty and students. As the program graduated its first class of students in 2022, this paper reflects on each of these areas of development and how the situation at Cedarville University allowed for intentional, comprehensive integration of Christian principles into a new civil engineering program. The examples presented and outcomes described in this paper are intended to be of benefit for the planning and development of any new Christian engineering programs in the future or for any existing Christian engineering programs that wish to evaluate and grow their own educational philosophies or practices of faith integration.