JOHNSON CITY (July 19, 2018) – The Surveying Program at East Tennessee State University has been named the recipient of a $10,000 education award by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
ETSU was among seven qualifying institutions selected by a jury to receive monetary awards ranging from a $25,000 grand prize to $10,000 grants to assist with each program’s continued efforts to promote the importance and value of surveying licensure. The jury considered criteria such as student outcomes and involvement, outreach and recruitment, and the promotion of licensure.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to use these funds to address the rapidly growing technologies in the surveying profession,” said Dr. Jinseok Hong, assistant professor in the Department of Engineering, Engineering Technology and Surveying at ETSU.
The department plans to purchase new unmanned aerial systems, commonly known as drones, as well as the hardware and software needed to decipher data from the devices. Incorporating this technology into the program curriculum will likely attract younger generations and better equip students for the workforce, Hong said.
Land surveying is a rapidly growing profession that focuses on the location of various land use rights and the boundaries between them. Licensed surveyors are in high demand across the country. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of surveyors will grow 11 percent between 2016 and 2026.
ETSU offers a bachelor of science in surveying and mapping and is one of only three surveying programs in the entire Southeastern region accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, the premier global accreditation agency for engineering and computing disciplines. Most of the required courses are offered online and students who complete the program may seek licensure in most states and many foreign jurisdictions.
For more information about the surveying program at ETSU, visit www.etsu.edu/cas/applied-design/surveying.php