Spencer Thew Receives Prestigious National Award from Civil Engineering Society

• Home >
• News & Events >

Spencer Thew, Distinguished Service Professor in Clarkson University's Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, has been selected by the American Society of Civil Engineers to receive the 2026 Roebling Award, one of the nation's highest honors in construction engineering.

Established in memory of three pioneering constructors - John A. Roebling, designer of suspension bridges; his son, Washington Roebling, who led construction of the Brooklyn Bridge; and Emily Warren Roebling, who served as field superintendent during its completion - the award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of construction engineering.

"This award recognizes Prof. Thew's tireless efforts, where he has safely taught over 5000 and probably closer to 10,000 students, to successfully instill the department's philosophy concerning construction engineering education, i.e. Clarkson aims to produce civil engineers with construction engineering expertise," said Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering Steve Wojtkiewicz.

Thew's career spans more than five decades as an engineer, educator and industry leader. A 1963 graduate of Clarkson University with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, he later earned a master's degree from Clarkson while serving on the faculty. He began his professional career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before returning to the North Country to build a career that bridged industry and academia.

In 1967, Thew founded Atlantic Testing Laboratories, growing the firm from a small local operation into a respected, full-service engineering support company serving construction projects across the region. He also founded Thew Associates Land Surveyors, further expanding professional services in civil engineering and land surveying.

Throughout his leadership in industry, Thew maintained a longstanding commitment to teaching. At Clarkson, he helped shape generations of civil engineers through construction-focused coursework and mentorship. He later served as the inaugural director of Clarkson's Construction Engineering Management program and was named a Distinguished Service Professor.

Thew will be honored at a ceremony during ASCE's Construction Institute and Construction Research Council Joint Conference, scheduled for March 18 to 21, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

Founded in 1852, ASCE represents more than 150,000 civil engineers worldwide and is dedicated to advancing the profession to enhance public welfare. The Roebling Award recognizes careers marked by innovation, leadership and lasting impact on construction engineering nationwide.