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Before a new building ever rises above ground, civil engineers have to get their hands dirty. That’s exactly what students in the engineering program at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) did in a recent hands-on geotechnical project that gave them a taste of real-world engineering from start to finish.

Dr. Ryan Overton, dean of the Lincoln Memorial University School of Engineering, received the Peter G. Hoadley Award for Outstanding Engineering Educator during the 2026 American Society of Civil Engineers Tennessee State Section Meeting.

From job sites and blueprints to the basketball court and national engineering competitions, Lincoln Memorial University School of Engineering student Aubree Laney is building her future one challenge at a time. As Lincoln Memorial University recognizes the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, Laney’s journey as a civil engineering major highlights the impact women continue to make in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

When Hugo Ruiz Espejo chose Lincoln Memorial University, he was not just selecting a place to earn an engineering degree. He was stepping into an opportunity to help shape a brand-new program while pursuing his passion for tennis and engineering on an international stage. That decision would later open the door to a hands-on internship with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), where Ruiz Espejo gained experience both in the office and in the field.