Would you like to contribute to the newsletter of the oldest civil engineering association in the country? The BSCES Newsletter Editorial Board is seeking Society members who are willing to join the board and help solicit, write, and/or edit articles for publication in BSCESNews. Members of the editorial board participate in eleven 30-minute video conferences per year to develop the ten issues of the newsletter that are published annually.

The editorial board also encourages members to submit articles for publication in BSCESNews. These can be related to an issue’s theme or on any topic of interest to civil engineers. Click here to view article submission requirements.

Email BSCES Newsletter Editorial Board Chair Gus O'Leary, for more information.

Ground Improvement Enters the Code: What the 10th Edition of MSBC Means for RIs

By Sonia Sorabella Swift, PE, VP of Engineering & Development, Menard

The 10th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code is the first in the U.S. to officially include language for ground improvement and rigid inclusions (RIs). This milestone reflects how RI technology has evolved from settlement mitigation to high-performance, optimized designs—creating the need for minimum standards without sacrificing flexibility. With codification now in place, we can deliver safer, smarter, and more cost-effective solutions for challenging soil conditions. ... Read more

BSCES President's Report

By Katie Swanson, PE, Project Manager - Water Resources Engineer, CDM Smith

November was another engaging month for BSCES!

We continued our tradition of offering diverse opportunities for professional development and networking. Highlights included the Younger Member Group Annual Student Caucus, which brought together students, industry professionals, and BSCES leadership for an interactive session focused on collaboration and idea-sharing. This event is always a cornerstone for fostering student engagement and shaping future initiatives.

Geo-Institute Boston Chapter Update

By Jorge Fuentes, PE, Senior Estimating Engineer, MENARD, and G-I Boston Chapter Chair

The Geo-Institute (G-I), one of nine specialty institutes established by the American Society of Civil Engineers, is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by the geoprofession and enhancing the role of geoprofessionals. With over 60 chapters nationwide, the Boston Chapter actively organizes geotechnical lectures, courses, and seminars, and distributes scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students through the Leo Casagrande Memorial Fund. ... Read more

Apply for the BSCES YMG Student Scholarship by January 9, 2026!

The BSCES YMG Student Scholarship is descended from a combination of the former BSCES Desmond Fitzgerald, Howe-Walker, and William P. Morse Scholarships and is intended for sophomores and juniors currently enrolled at a Massachusetts college or university for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering.

This merit-based scholarship consists of two (2) $5,000 awards. This award may be used for tuition, books, housing, or other education-related needs.

Learn more and apply

Apply for the Francis M. Keville Memorial Scholarship by January 16, 2026!

The Francis M. Keville Memorial Fund was established from donations in recognition of Mr. Keville’s efforts and abilities to take his vision of large public transportation projects and make them a reality.

The Construction Institute Boston Chapter is now accepting applications from students attending a Massachusetts college or university for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering with a transportation or construction focus or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in construction management.

Learn more and apply

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Advertising Opportunities

BSCES has a variety of options for advertising in BSCESNews and on the BSCES website. Click here to learn more about advertising with BSCES.

Get Involved

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Contributor

Email BSCES Newsletter Editorial Board Chair Gus O'Leary, for more information.

Submit Member News

Help us build the BSCES community by sharing your news. Have you recently been recognized for a professional accomplishment, or been promoted to a leadership role? Has your employer been recognized for an achievement or acquired another company? Send your news to BSCES membership associate Michelle Monette at mmonette@engineers.org.

BSCES Civil Engineering Practice Journal Needs Your Help

Are you working from home? You can use the time you're saving by not commuting to perform a household chore or better yet, write an article for the BSCES Civil Engineering Practice journal. ... Read More

Suggest a Seminar Topic

If you have a topic that you would like BSCES to feature in an upcoming seminar, send your suggestion to BSCES Continuing Education Committee Chair Antonios Vytiniotis, PE, PhD from Secretariat at b sces@engineers.org.

Learn about the Continuing Education Committee

2025 - 2026 Society Sponsors

BSCES Newsletter Editorial Board

Chair: Gus J. O’Leary, PE

Anna Beheshti-Rhodes, PE

John T. Books, PE

Kate Riley

Michael T. Sullivan, PE

Kathryn Swanson, PE

2025 - 2026 BSCES Board of Government

President: Kathryn Swanson, PE

President-Elect: Richard A. Matson, PE

Secretary: John T. Brooks, PE

Treasurer: Gregory L. Mirliss, STS

Senior Vice Presidents: Antonios Vytiniotis, PhD, PE; Anuja Kamat, PhD

Vice Presidents: Rishabh V. Iyer, PE; Elizabeth A. Clark, PE

Past President: Christopher P. Hersey, LEED AP

Western MA Branch Vice President: Vacant

Coasts, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institute Boston Chapter Chair: Matt Shultz, PE

Construction Institute Boston Chapter Chair: Jamie Johnston, PE

Engineering Management Group Chair: Craig M. Steigerwalt, PE, PSP, PMP, CCM

Environmental & Water Resources Institute Boston Chapter Chair: Emanuel D. DeAndrade, PE

Geo-Institute Boston Chapter Chair: Jorge E. Fuentes, PE

Structural Engineering Institute Boston Chapter Chair: Bob Niccoli, PE

Transportation & Development Institute Boston Chapter Chair: Nicholas Manz, EIT

Utility Engineering & Surveying Institute Boston Chapter Chair: Cory A. Cormier, PE

Younger Member Group Chair: Justin Cadima, PE

2025–2026 BSCES Program Sponsors

Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section/ASCE

One Walnut Street, Boston, MA 02108

Phone: 617/227-5551, Fax: 617/227-6783

Email: bsces@engineers.org, Website: www.bsces.org

The BSCES newsletter, BSCESNews, is designed to provide information and opinions in regard to the subject matters covered. BSCES and its Board assume no responsibility for statements made or opinions expressed in this publication. It is published with the understanding that the Board and the authors are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The Newsletter Editorial Board encourages reproduction of BSCESNews with appropriate acknowledgment. © 2025 BSCESNews.