Dr. Michael Darter Returns to the U for Seminar & Recognition Event

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering was honored to welcome Dr. Michael Darter back to campus on November 12 for a special seminar and recognition ceremony celebrating his selection as the 2024 CvEEN Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

Dr. Darter’s seminar—“An Inspiring Career in Civil Engineering”—gave students, faculty, and alumni a unique, personal look at the experiences that shaped one of the field’s most accomplished pavement engineers. Before the talk, guests attended a lunch and informal meet-and-greet, setting the stage for an engaging afternoon of reflection, storytelling, and celebration.

Dr. Michael Darter and his family at the Nov. 12 event.

Celebrating a Longstanding Connection to the U

Dr. Darter earned both his BS (1966) and MS (1968) in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah, an educational foundation he credits with preparing him for every major step that followed—from graduate studies to national leadership roles.

He spoke warmly about the mentorship he received as a student, especially from Professor and Department Head Grant Borg, who encouraged him through challenging academic, financial, and family moments.

“Whenever I think of my BS and MS degree studies at the University of Utah,” he shared, “I immediately think of how Professor Grant Borg advised and encouraged me to get up and keep going and never give up.”

Those early lessons fueled a career defined by persistence, curiosity, and impact.

Risk, Resilience, and Reinvention

Much of Dr. Darter’s seminar centered on the pivotal decisions that shaped his professional path. He recounted leaving a stable engineering position at UDOT to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin—a leap he described with humor and honesty:

“Driving down I-15 with all of my family and everything we owned, I asked myself, ‘What am I doing? Taking a risk like this—will I even make it?’ But my BS and MS at the U prepared me for success.”

From there, he went on to a decades-long academic career at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign and later co-founded ERES Consultants, leading major national pavement initiatives.

Distinguished Alumni Award Presentation

Prior to beginning the seminar, Department Chair Dr. Tong Qiu and longtime colleague Dr. Pedro Romero presented Dr. Darter with the CvEEN Distinguished Alumni Award plaque, recognizing his outstanding professional achievements and his continued engagement with the department.

The audience applauded as Dr. Darter accepted the award, reflecting the department’s pride in celebrating an alum whose career exemplifies engineering leadership, innovation, and service.

Dr. Tong Qiu, left, and Dr. Pedro Romero, right, award Dr. Michael Darter, center, the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Nominate a Distinguished Alumni

The Distinguished Alumni Award honors graduates who demonstrate exceptional professional achievement and a lasting connection to the department.

Do you know a CvEEN graduate whose leadership, innovation, or service deserves recognition? Nominate a Distinguished Alum.

We are pleased to announce Brandon Squire has been awarded the Civil & Environmental Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award.

With more than three decades of experience in the construction industry, Brandon Squire has built a career grounded in field expertise, strategic growth, and industry-wide leadership. Since becoming President of Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company in 2016, Brandon has helped shape Utah’s built environment through major transportation and infrastructure projects.

His leadership has strengthened RLW’s position as a regional powerhouse in heavy civil construction and alternative project delivery. Known for his commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and relationship building, Brandon continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of construction throughout the Intermountain West.

“Balancing the demands of Dr. Pantelides' or Dr. Lawton’s tough exams along with working on the concrete canoe project and a full-time construction job was a true test of endurance. Those late nights weren’t just about working hard; they were about developing problem-solving skills and mastering time management. This challenging time taught me the value of staying focused under pressure, thinking outside the box, and making the most of every moment. Today, those lessons shape how I tackle complex problems and juggle multiple priorities.”

Nominate a Distinguished Alumni

The Distinguished Alumni Award honors graduates who demonstrate exceptional professional achievement and a lasting connection to the department.

Do you know a CvEEN graduate whose leadership, innovation, or service deserves recognition? Nominate a Distinguished Alum.