Industrial Leadership Council
Geological Engineering's Industrial Leadership Council (ILC) is an industry group that is providing leadership
in enhancing educational opportunities for Geological Engineering students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW).
With the ILC's support, we are reaching out to high school, first-year college students, and students transferring
to UW to make them aware of the satisfaction and benefits of a career in geological engineering. We are also reaching
out to under-represented groups to enhance the diversity of our student body, and ultimately the profession.
ILC members provide financial support that is used to recruit the best and brightest students. Recruiting activities
include development of outreach materials for high schools and 2-yr colleges, development of geological engineering
modules for science teachers in high school and 2-yr colleges, school visits and presentations, and upgrades to our
website focused on new undergraduate students.
Why support Geological Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison?
- UW Geological Engineering has been a reliable source of top-flight graduates in applied and engineering geology,
geological engineering, geoenvironmental engineering, and hydrogeology for more than 20 years. The UW's Geological
Engineering is ABET accredited and ranked 2nd in the Chronicle of Higher Education's Scholarly Productivity Index.
UW Geological Engineering's faculty has thirteen professors with a diverse range of skills and depth of expertise
in engineering and geoscience.
- UW Geological Engineering produces graduates who are trained in geotechnics, rock engineering, geoenvironmental
engineering, hydrogeology, geophysics and geology. The rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum provides graduates with
the technical, interpersonal and professional skills to make a difference wherever they go. The faculty in Geological
Engineering are committed to engaging students in activities that emphasize professional practice.
- UW Geological Engineering is a rare example of a close cooperative relationship between a College of Engineering
and a College of Letters and Sciences. Students graduate with a BS in Geological Engineering and a BS in Geology.
No other engineering discipline offers this unique degree opportunity. Graduates are able to fill multiple roles in
practice, including professional engineering and professional geology. They are more comprehensively trained in
geoscience/engineering than students with a BS in civil engineering and a MS in geotechnical engineering.
- UW Geological Engineering is a close-knit interdisciplinary degree program where undergraduate students interact
directly with faculty from several departments. This atmosphere provides GLE students with a diverse interdisciplinary
team-building perspective.
- UW Geological Engineering trains the complete engineering professional by emphasizing leadership, independent
and critical thinking, communication and social commitment in addition to strong technical skills. Our program receives
consistent feedback from employers that our students have well-developed communication skills and leadership qualities.
- UW Geological Engineering students participate extensively in service programs such as Engineers Without Borders.
These opportunities provide students with hands-on experience in designing and implementing environmentally and economically
sustainable projects around the world.
- UW Geological Engineering has a history of attracting women and students of diversity. For example, women currently
comprise 38% of the undergraduate student body. Ensuring diversity is a key objective of our program.
In the near future, ILC members will be offered a webpage in the ILC section of our new website, have their logo on the
home page of our website, and will be provided the opportunity to host a private interview day annually with our students.
ILC members will also be acknowledged in our communications to prospective students.
If your company is interested in becoming a member of the Industrial Leadership Council, please contact:
Craig H. Benson, PhD, PE, DGE
Wisconsin Distinguished Professor and Chair
Geological Engineering
2218 Engineering Hall
1415 Engineering Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1691
Tel: 608/262-7242
E-mail: chbenson@wisc.edu
