News/Highlights
VTRC Plaque Dedication & Civil Soirée
Date: October 04, 2025
Location: The Rotunda, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
The VTRC Plaque Dedication and ASCE Virginia Section Civil Soirée 2025 was a memorable celebration of civil engineering heritage, leadership, and community.
Left: Lindsay Swain, P.E., ASCE VA President
Right: Catherine McGhee, VDOT Chief Deputy Commissioner
Revealing of the Plaque
G. Michael Fitch, VTRC Director of Research; Tom Smith, ASCE Exec. Director; Zhen (Leo) Liu, President-Elect ASCE VA; Christina Ammens, ASCE Region 4 Governor; Lindsay Swain, ASCE VA President; Catherine McGhee, VDOT Chief Deputy Commissioner; Shaikh Ahmad Matin, 2nd Vice President ASCE VA
The day began with guided tours of the University of Virginia, coordinated by Ryan Henry, followed by the VTRC Plaque Dedication Ceremony, honoring the Virginia Transportation Research Council’s legacy and contributions to the profession.
The dedication featured remarks from Michael Fitch, VTRC Director of Research, Lindsay Swain, ASCE Virginia Section President, and other distinguished speakers, reflecting on the organization’s history and impact. Attendees then visited the VTRC facility to see ongoing research and innovation in transportation engineering.
Civil Soiree in UVA Rotunda
Brian L. Smit
Lindsay Swain
Jennifer L. West
Gary R. Allen
Catherine McGhe
From left to right: Professor Songsu Son, Sarah Dyk, Matthew Giordano, Kyrah Davis, Christian Shank, Lydia Parker, Daeeui Hong, Trenton Langin, Samantha Helder, Collin Partington Olivia Schlegel, Logan Grasser, Professor Ringley
The evening concluded with a lively social hour and formal dinner at the historic Rotunda, where guests connected and celebrated in an elegant setting. The program featured welcoming remarks from Jennifer L. West, Dean of UVA Engineering and Applied Sciences, along with inspiring reflections from distinguished speakers including Lindsay Swain, P.E. (ASCE Virginia President), Brian L. Smith (Senior Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs), Gary R. Allen (former Chief of Technology), and Catherine McGhee (VDOT Chief Deputy Commissioner). The night culminated in the swearing-in of new ASCE Virginia Section officers—an inspiring finale to a day honoring the legacy and future of civil engineering in Virginia.
Newsletters
