Congratulations to Our 2024 Donald L. Bilbey Scholarship Co-Winners!
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA) is thrilled to announce the two exceptional co-recipients of the 2024 Donald L. Bilbey Scholarship:
- Halee McKaskle, Tennessee Technical University
- Juliette Kim, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
These outstanding students have demonstrated a passion for engineering, along with a commitment to academic excellence and community involvement. We are proud to support them as they pursue their dreams and contribute to shaping a brighter future.
Hear from the Winners!
We had the opportunity to ask each winner a few questions about their aspirations and what the Donald L. Bilbey Scholarship means to them:
Halee McKaskle:
1) What are your long-term academic goals? Where do you see yourself after graduation, and how will your studies translate into your desired career path?
I would like to get my graduate degree after I completed my undergraduate. I am currently studying Civil Engineering and hope to use what I learn to one day become a licensed engineer.
2) What inspired you to apply for this scholarship, and what does receiving it mean to you?
I was inspired to apply because I felt that of all the scholarships available, this one had the most interest to me, and I am proud to be co-winner of this scholarship.
3) The field of engineering and construction is constantly evolving. Describe a specific challenge you’d like to tackle in your future career, and how you envision innovative applications of CSP playing a role in your approach.
In the future, I am sure there will be many challenges that will arise. I intend to use my engineering knowledge to help solve these problems. Infrastructure has always been interesting to me and I think that CSP will play a large role in the future of infrastructure. A problem that I would be interested in solving is how to make CSP last even longer and not deteriorate due to environmental conditions.
4) What advice or encouragement would you give to other students who are considering careers in engineering, construction, or related fields?
I would say that learning is not always easy, and you have to work hard so that one day you accomplish the things you’ve dreamed about and help solve problems.
5) Who or what sparked your interest in your chosen field of study? Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your academic path?
I think my parents have played a big role in influencing me academically. They have always pushed me to learn and try my best.
6) What are your passions or hobbies outside of academics? How do these interests connect with your studies or career aspirations?
Outside of academics I love to be outdoors and really enjoy hiking and camping. I especially love learning how things work, and I have always been interested in problem solving. I think these things are what piqued my interest in engineering.
7) Describe your ideal work environment or project in your chosen field. What kind of impact do you hope to make on the world through your career?
My ideal work environment would be working for a company that cares about it’s employees and being able to work on a team to solve problems using math and science. I hope that I can impact the world by helping others and solving issues using my knowledge and skills.
Juliette Kim:
1) What are your long-term academic goals? Where do you see yourself after graduation, and how will your studies translate into your desired career path?
Even though I will graduate next year, I will never stop learning! I am currently studying to become a LEED Green Associate, with goals of becoming a LEED AP+ or even a Fellow in the future. I am also considering post-graduate education to deepen my knowledge in a more specific area. Whenever I do end up in industry, my goal is to become a Project Manager. I am pursuing a major in Civil Engineering, with a dual focus in construction management and structures, while also pursuing minors in architecture and business. My aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the many disciplines involved throughout a project’s life cycle to be able to communicate effectively with different stakeholders in a project and understand their priorities.
2) What inspired you to apply for this scholarship, and what does receiving it mean to you?
The inspiration to apply for this scholarship came from the Civil Engineering Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies at my university, who reached out about this opportunity. The widespread use of corrugated steel products, which we often see but don’t fully appreciate, piqued my interest and motivated me to look deeper into this field.
Receiving the NCSPA Donald L. Bibey Memorial Scholarship for Diversity is an incredible honor. It not only recognizes my hard work and passion for civil engineering but also eases the financial burden of pursuing higher education. I am deeply grateful to NCSPA for their support and for continuing to empower students like me!
3) The field of engineering and construction is constantly evolving. Describe a specific challenge you’d like to tackle in your future career, and how you envision innovative applications of CSP playing a role in your approach.
I am deeply interested in promoting sustainability within my projects. Corrugated steel pipes (CSP) can play a key role in achieving this goal. CSP offers innovative solutions for sustainable projects, such as stormwater management and drainage. Additionally, CSP can be creatively integrated into architectural designs, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits.
4) What advice or encouragement would you give to other students who are considering careers in engineering, construction, or related fields?
I am a big proponent of finding a balance between hard work and outside interests and relaxation. It is a privilege to have time for yourself!
5) Who or what sparked your interest in your chosen field of study? Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your academic path?
I started Odyssey of the Mind in 3rd grade, a creative problem-solving competition where teams build their own sets and props, which sparked a lot of my interest in hands-on building and seeing projects through ideation to completion. Throughout my life, I’ve also loved math and physics and find myself admiring architectural details often. Now, as a civil engineering student concentrating in construction management and structures, with minors in architecture and business, I am able to combine all these interests into my academic and career pursuits.
6) What are your passions or hobbies outside of academics? How do these interests connect with your studies or career aspirations?
I love fashion, especially thrifting/vintage shopping! I‘m also fascinated with researching trends, their cyclic nature, and how they resurface in different ways through time, which sheds light on my data-driven, number-focused, engineering side of my brain.
7) Describe your ideal work environment or project in your chosen field. What kind of impact do you hope to make on the world through your career?
In my dream career, I aim to integrate architecture, engineering, construction, and business, fostering a comprehensive understanding of projects and improving cross-disciplinary communication. As I gain more experience, I envision specializing as a project manager in cutting-edge projects. I am particularly passionate about innovating and pushing boundaries in design and engineering, exploring things like sustainable practices and technology.
Inspired to Follow in Their Footsteps? Ready to Invest in Your Future?
The NCSPA is committed to supporting the next generation of leaders in engineering and land surveying. Whether you’re passionate about civil engineering, the corrugated steel pipe industry, or precise land measurements, we have a scholarship opportunity for you!
- Robert E. Hall Memorial Scholarship: For undergraduate students pursuing a degree in civil engineering or a related field.
- Donald L. Bilbey Memorial Scholarship: For undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in engineering or land surveying.
- Doyle F. Johnson Memorial Scholarship: For undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in civil engineering with an interest in the corrugated steel pipe industry.
Visit our website to learn more about each scholarship and eligibility requirements. The 2025 application cycle is officially open, so start preparing your materials today!