Awards

ASCE Region 8 Awards - 2026 Nomination Forms and Judging Criteria 

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

Each year, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Region 8 honors outstanding engineers and engineering projects that make a lasting impact on our profession and communities. Award recipients are recognized at the Region 8 Fall Assembly Meeting. 

Nominations are due May 1st each year.

Nomination packets must follow the judging criteria, as these are the standards judges will use to evaluate all submissions. Region 8 affirms that awards will only be granted to applicants who fully meet the established criteria. If none of the nominations satisfy these requirements, no award will be conferred.

Region 8 presents four major awards:

  • Dale Nelson Engineer of the Year Award (36 Years and Older)
  • Kristina L. Swallow Young Engineer of the Year Award (35 Years and Under)
  • Large Project of the Year (over $10 million)
  • Small Project of the Year (under $10 million)

For questions please contact Governor Oceana Francis.

The ASCE Region 8 Engineer of the Year Award was created in 2012 and renamed in 2019 to honor Dale Nelson, P.E., F.ASCE.

Dale dedicated over 50 years to ASCE and civil engineering, beginning in the mid-1960s as a student at Washington State University. He led major U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects, finished his career with FEMA, and served ASCE in many leadership roles—Anchorage Branch President (1975), Alaska Section President (1978), Region 8 Governor (2007–2010), and Region 8 Director on the Society Board (2015–2018).

More than his titles, Dale was known for his kindness, generosity, and thoughtful leadership. He often traveled long distances to support members in person, offering guidance with respect and grace.

To honor his legacy, the Alaska Section established a memorial scholarship in his name for University of Alaska Anchorage students.

Judging Criteria:

*Nominee must be 36 Years or Older as of 12/31/2025

Nomination Package:

Submit a nomination package which should include the following:

  • A cover letter, signed by the nominator
  • The nominee’s curricula vitae or biographical information
  • A recent color head-and-shoulders photograph of the nominee (MUST BE A JPEG OR PNG)
  • Letters of reference with contact information are desired, but not required (maximum of three)
  • Age of the nominee (for Engineer of the Year or Young Engineer of the Year)

Requirements:

  • The entire nomination package should not exceed 10 pages
  • Electronic submittals only (please confirm receipt)
  • Submittals should be in a PDF format that readily allows transfer of the nomination content to other documents for evaluation and publication in a Region Newsletter

 

Submit Nominations Here: Dale Nelson Engineer of the Year Award Nomination Form

The ASCE Region 8 Young Engineer of the Year Award was established in 2019 and named after Kristina L. Swallow, P.E., ENV SP, F.ASCE.

Kristina made history as the youngest ASCE President in 2018, inspiring engineers worldwide with her energy, advocacy, and approachable leadership. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and her master’s from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, quickly becoming active in ASCE through Younger Member activities, Future Cities, the Nevada Section, and the Region 8 Board of Governors.

She received numerous awards as a Younger Member, later serving as Region 8 Director (2013–2015) and as a Legislative Assistant on Transportation Policy (2009–2012) for U.S. Senator Tom Udall. After her ASCE presidency, she was appointed Director of the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Kristina continues to exemplify what it means to be an outstanding young engineer—leading with passion, service, and vision.

Judging Criteria:

*Nominee must be 35 Years or Younger as of 12/31/2025

Nomination Package:

Submit a nomination package which should include the following:

  • A cover letter, signed by the nominator
  • The nominee’s curricula vitae or biographical information
  • A recent color head-and-shoulders photograph of the nominee (MUST BE A JPEG OR PNG)
  • Letters of reference with contact information are desired, but not required (maximum of three)
  • Age of the nominee (for Engineer of the Year or Young Engineer of the Year)

Requirements:

  • The entire nomination package should not exceed 10 pages
  • Electronic submittals only (please confirm receipt)
  • Submittals should be in a PDF format that readily allows transfer of the nomination content to other documents for evaluation and publication in a Region Newsletter

 

Submit Nominations Here: Kristina L. Swallow Young Engineer of the Year Award Nomination Form

 

The Large and Small Projects of the Year Awards celebrate engineering achievements that make a lasting difference in our communities. These awards recognize projects that demonstrate technical excellence, creativity, and a commitment to improving quality of life across Region 8.

  • Large Projects – Construction costs over $10 million
  • Small Projects – Construction costs under $10 million

Projects are evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Contribution to Communities – How the project enhances the well-being of people and society.
  • Resourcefulness – Innovative approaches to planning and solving design challenges.
  • Pioneering Methods – Advancement in the use of new materials, technologies, or methods.
  • Construction Innovation – Creative solutions that push the boundaries of construction practices.
  • Environmental Stewardship – Efforts to minimize impacts on the natural environment.
  • Overall Application – The project’s strength and impact across all categories combined.

Judging Criteria:

*The project must have been substantially completed during the 2025 calendar year.

Nomination Package:

Submit a nomination package which should include the following:

  • A cover letter, signed by the nominator
  • The project’s background information
  • A color photograph of the project (additional photos may be submitted if they highlight outstanding project features) (MUST BE A JPEG OR PNG)
  • Letters of recommendation supporting the nomination, with contact information (desired but not required, maximum of three)

Requirements:

  • The project must have been substantially completed during the 2025 calendar year
  • The entire nomination package should not exceed 10 pages
  • Submittals should be in a PDF format that readily allows transfer of the nomination content to other documents for evaluation and publication in a Section Newsletter

 

Submit Nominations Here: Project of the Year (Large or Small) Nomination Form

 

ASCE Region 8 Awards - "Wall of Fame"

  • 2024 Roger Babcock, Jr., Phd, P.E., M.ASCE, Hawaii Section
  • 2023 Laura Spencer, PhD, P.E., M.ASCE, Arizona Section
  • 2022 Florence Ching, Hawaii Section
  • 2021 Michael Spillane, Seattle Section
  • 2019 Ron Etsao Iwamoto, S.E., M. ASCE, Hawaii Section
  • 2018 Amy Kl Mestas, P.E., M. ASCE, Alaska Section
  • 2017 K.N. Gunalan (Guna), Ph.D., P.E., D.GE., F.ASCE, Utah Section
  • 2016 Tony Lau, P.E., ENV SP, F. ASCE, Hawai'i Section
  • 2015 Terry Little, P.E., PTOE, Southern Idaho Section
  • 2014 David R. Butzier, P.E., Southern Idaho Section
  • 2013 Jon Young, Hawai'i Section
  • 2012 Karl Obergh, P.E., Arizona Section

  • 2025 Vidhi Sachdeva, P.E., Seattle Section
  • 2024 Bianca Casem, P.E., Seattle Section
  • 2023 Carly Anne K.H. Kaneko, P.E., M.ASCE, Hawaii Section
  • 2022 Amanda Tanaka, Hawaii Section
  • 2021 Susan Mukai, Hawaii Section
  • 2019 Stephanie Marie Templeton, P.E., M. ASCE, Arizona Section

  • 2025 I-80 & I-215 Renewed Design-Build, Salt Lake City, UT (Utah Section)
  • 2024 Totem Lake Connector Pedestrian Bridge, Kirkland, WA (Seattle Section)
  • 2023 Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station, Seattle, WA (Seattle Section)
  • 2022 Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA, (Seattle Section)
  • 2021 Mukilteo Multimodal Ferry Terminal, Mukilteo, WA, (Seattle Section)
  • 2019 Keauhou Beach Hotel and Site Demolition, Kahalu’u, North Kona, Hawaii (Hawaii Section)
  • 2018 Manning Crevice Bridge Replacement, Idaho County, ID (Southern Idaho Section)
  • 2017 City of Phoenix 27th Avenue Compost Facility, Pheonix, AZ (Arizona Section)
  • 2016 Pearl Harbor Channel Underwater Waterline Crossing Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Hawaii Section)
  • 2015 Parametrix and the Idaho Transportation Department - I-84 Meridian Road Interchange (Southern Idaho Section)
  • 2014 Highway 16 Extension, US 20/26 to SH-44, Ada County, Idaho (Southern Idaho Section)
  • 2013 Honoapi'lani Hwy Realignment, (Hawaii Section)
  • 2012 Big Fork WWTP Membrane Bioreactor Upgrade (Montana Section)

  • 2025 Lahaina Post-Wildfire Drainline Assessment, Lahaina, HI, Hawaii Section
  • 2024 El Vado GSI Food Forest, Tucson, AZ, Arizona Section
  • 2023 US-20, I-15 Interim Ramp Modifications, Southern Idaho Section
  • 2022 Don D. Statter Harbor Improvements Phase IIIA &IIIB, nominated by the Alaska Section
  • 2021 Royal Hawaiian Groin Replacement Project, Waikiki Beach, HI (Hawaii Section)
  • 2019 City of Nyssa, Oregon, Water System Improvements, Southern Idaho Section
  • 2018 WPC Phase 1 Phosphorus Removal Project, Pocatello, ID, Southern Idaho Section
  • 2017 Warren "Bud" Woods Palmer Municipal Airport Rehabilitation and Related Improvements Project, Alaska Section
  • 2016 We did not have a small project award this year
  • 2015 Yogi Kwong Engineers, LLC - Steam Bank Bluff Protection and Stabilization Project Riverside Apartments; Hilo, Hawai'i, Hawai'i Section
  • 2014 Kennewick Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), Kennewick, Washington (Columbia Section)
  • 2013 Wyoming St - Silver Park, (Montana Section)
  • 2012 US 95 San Creek Byway (Inland Empire Section)