Oregon Tech Civil Engineering sophomores Conner Berg and Caitlin Lien have been awarded scholarships from the Pacific Northwest Section-American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Simpson Strong-Tie.
The AWWA award is a competitive scholarship with applicants from colleges throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Each year, the Pacific Northwest Section awards up to 14 scholarships to eligible recipients studying engineering, water resources, water or environmental technology, public administration, or environmental health.
The Simpson Strong-Tie Student Scholarship is a competitive scholarship awarded to college students studying architecture, structural and civil engineering, and construction management technology.
Originally from Camas, Wash., Berg became interested in civil engineering while growing up near Portland and its many bridges. He also drew inspiration from camping near Pelton Dam and the Cove Palisades Bridge over Lake Billy Chinook, which are located east of Salem, Ore.
“The fascination with these structures and the familial ties I had to Oregon Tech and Klamath Falls brought me to attend school here,” said Berg. “I am truly grateful to have received these scholarships and plan on building off of them by applying to many others and using them as a boost to my career’s beginning.”
Originally from Baker City, Ore., Lien enjoys Oregon Tech’s hands-on learning experiences and the close relationships Civil Engineering students build with their professors. She was also a recipient of the 2023 Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon (APAO) Scholarship. Lien also recently represented Oregon Tech at the American Society of Civil Engineers Student Symposium in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the Women of Asphalt Conference in Nashville, Tenn.
“I would like to thank the Pacific Northwest Section-American Water Works Association Scholarship Foundation and Simpson Strong-Tie for selecting me for their prestigious awards,” said Lien. “I would also like to thank my professors for giving me the opportunity to build a strong background in civil engineering and my family for supporting me.”
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