Haze Elliott, ACEC-SC President

For the first time, ACEC-SC and SCSPE held a joint winter meeting with more than 100 attending.

This winter meeting was held at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia. A secluded, but appropriate location added to the meeting’s success. Also, many participants said the programs were informative and provided welcome information.

The opening session was a joint ACEC-SC and SCSPE membership meeting. Members and non members were told what each organization was doing for the groups and for the engineering profession.

ACEC-SC President, Haze Elliott, reviewed the Engineering Excellence Award celebration held last week, the two scholarships given to two Clemson University Mechanical Engineering Seniors, and the upcoming ACEC-SC Scholarship Golf Tournament. Elliott invited members to come to Washington, DC to participate in the ACEC Consulting Congress Day where members go meet with their United States Senators and Congressmen.

SCSPE President, Mike Hanna, told about SCSPE’s work with registered engineer hopefuls and newly registered engineers.  He said SCSPE has been serving pizza and soft drinks to those taking the PE exam. Those taking the exam don’t have look for lunch. SCSPE provides it for them. 

Michael H. Hanna, SCSPE President

Hanna said SCSPE and the SC State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors have a New Engineer Ceremony twice a year at the State House where newly registered engineers are presented their registration certificates by the Registration Board and then SCSPE sponsors a social at the Palmetto Club for the new engineers, their families and friends and for the registration board.

Marguerite McClam updated the group on MathCounts activities. She said the state competition is being held on the Clemson University campus Saturday, March 1.  The four individual winners get to go to National to compete with the winners from the other states.

Joe Jones reported on recent legislative issues, which are covered in this newsletter.

Following the membership meeting, the rest of the day was dedicated to educational sessions where attendees could secure professional development hours.

The two-track system worked well as it gave engineers a choice of programs of which they could partake.  Both the environmental and business tracks were well attended.

Both groups are planning to have a second Winter Meeting next year.