SE Solutions was pleased to recently present scholarships to two Purdue University Structures students to help defray the cost of their education. Nichole Criner and Benjamin Wogen were the recipients of the awards. This is the tenth year that SE Solutions has offered the scholarships.

Nichole Criner is from Grove City, OH and she became interested in civil engineering when doing a balsa wood bridge design/build project in high school.  After working for a structural engineering design firm during her co-op rotations while attending University of Cincinati, she decided to pursue a degree in structural engineering.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in May 2021 from the University of Cincinnati and she plans to graduate with her MSCE from Purdue University in May 2023.  She is currently researching the physical and cost implications of defects occurring during construction of concrete bridge decks. After graduation, she plans to begin her career back in Ohio.

Benjamin Wogen graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in structures from Purdue University in 2021, and has continued into a master’s program. He plans to defend a thesis and graduate in the Spring of 2023. As an undergraduate, he had the opportunity to do research with RETHi, a NASA-funded research institute looking into new technologies for developing extra-terrestrial structures on Earth’s moon and Mars. He is continuing to assist this project in his graduate studies as an operations coordinator. His thesis work will involve leveraging machine learning and computer-vision capabilities to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of structural inspections. Additionally, he completed internships at several site-design and construction companies, including work on deep foundations and natural gas facilities. After graduating with his master’s degree, he is interested in working in the structural design industry where he can continue to develop a deeper understanding of buildings and other structures.

SE Solutions would like to congratulate each recipient and wish them future success in their fields of study as structural engineers.