The award is given each year to the nation's top large civil engineering program and also to the nation's top small civil engineering program.

It was created in 2008 to recognize accredited civil engineering programs "that promote professional licensure, ethics and professionalism."

UE earned the 2009 award for the top small program, beating out last year's winner, the University of Idaho, and last year's runner-up, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

UE's civil engineering graduates in 2008 helped the university win the award by achieving a 100 percent passing rate on a national engineering fundamentals exam, said Brian Swenty, chair of UE's Mechanical and Civil Engineering Department.

"Without their amazing accomplishment, the university would not have won this award," Swenty said.

UE's curriculum requires students to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Civil Engineering students also are encouraged to spend a semester studying abroad.

UE will receive the award at an October conference in Kansas City, Mo.

— John Martin

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/aug/04/no-headline---05a03ue-brf/