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In the Spotlight - Pasquale Giaquinto, '18
Winter 2017
Meet Pasquale Giaquinto, a current senior in Civil Engineering and Stony Brook's ASCE
Chapter President. Pasquale is a hardworking student and we are proud of the successes
he has experienced while at SBU. We wish him the best of luck with the concrete canoe
competition this coming spring and of course his last year with us. Keep up the good
work, Pasquale!
What would you like to do after graduation?
After graduation in May 2018, I would like to attend graduate school while working in a structural engineering field.
After graduation in May 2018, I would like to attend graduate school while working in a structural engineering field.
What has it been like so far to be President of the Stony Brook University Chapter
of ASCE? What has the club planned for this year?
Being president of the Stony Brook University Chapter of ASCE has been eye-opening,
and an amazing experience. I never imagined myself being the president or leader of
anything, and greatly appreciate the opportunity this presidency entitles. Since I
have been with the chapter since I first transferred to Stony Brook from Suffolk County
Community College in 2015, I have seen it grow from about five members to approximately
100 members. In addition, I was present for the chapter when it was inaugurated into
ASCE officially. I also have been working on the Concrete Canoe Competition from the
beginning. Seeing the growth of the chapter every year has really motivated me and
our executive board to bring the best opportunities we can give the club.
This year, ASCE was officially recognized by the Undergraduate Student Government,
which has enabled us to create more events, advance our goals with our concrete mix
for the canoe and promote our chapter outside of the university. I'm excited to annouce
that we will have a painted rock soon in the Engineering Quad. Furthermore we are
creating ASCE shirts for the first time, and organize tours to affiliated civil engineering
firms and organizations. One field trip the chapter took recently was to Island Company
Exteriors in Calverton, NY, which is a structural firm focused on making load-bearing
wall panels for various building types. Our ASCE chapter is also organizing a tour
to a water well-drilling site in Farmingville, NY by Suffolk Countywater Authority.
Lastly, we are also working on setting up a site visit to Stony Brook's own construction
site of the Union building that is currently under renovation.
Of course, with so many student members, we can also spend time focusing on the ASCE
Annual Concrete Canoe Competition, which will be held in April 2018. We are also planning
on hosting professional speakers to introduce students and the campus community to
the civil engineering profession.
What are some challenges you have faced as the President of the Stony Brook University
Chapter of ASCE? How do you manage all your duties as a president of a large club
and still manage your coursework?
Some challenges I have faced as President this year has been coordinating events with
other offices on campus and the ability to support the new class of underclassmen
members, which has been over 60 members this year. I can only attribute my success
to my time management skills that I've developed throughout college, mosty at SBU.
While president of the ASCE student chapter, I've primarily learned how to delegate
tasks to my executive board. Our e-board supports one another very well, with a healthy
dose of ambition thrown in, which inspire me every day.
What advice do you have for new CIV students who are in their first or second years
of college?
My advice is to keep seeking inspiration. Get involved as early as possible, and expose
yourself to every specialization of Civil Engineering. This major is known to be very
difficult in college, especially here at Stony Brook Univeristy. It is important to
remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, where you will find yourself
as a trained engineering at the end. Always seek help. One thing I have noticed with
our department is the immense assistance, and interaction they provide students.
What is the biggest thing you’ve learned in the last several years or throughout your
college career?
The biggest thing I have learned throughout my college career is to simply do what
you like and to do it honestly.
Fun Facts!
Favorite Food- Penne Alla Vodka
Favorite Bands- Blink-182 and Angels & Airwaves
Favorite Season- Fall
Favorite Hobby- playing drums for over 5 years
Sisters/Brothers- I have one older sister
Nicknames- I have been called Pat, Patsy, Pas, PQ, Squal, etc. Basically, whatever
you can think of has been said to me at one point.