In the realm of engineering, recognition from one's peers is not just an accolade; it's a testament to years of dedication. Such is the case for Gregory Kuklinski ’98, P.E., F.ASCE, a seasoned engineer whose contributions to his field recently earned him a prestigious award.
Kuklinski, a civil engineer with over 25 years of experience, was recently honored with the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers’ (PSPE) Lehigh Valley Engineer of the Year award at the Lehigh Valley Engineering Council’s Engineers Week Banquet, held at the Iacocca Conference Center on February 23. He was nominated by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), of which he is a fellow. Terry Hart, professor of mechanical engineering and a former NASA astronaut, was guest speaker.
For Kuklinski, who works for the Benesch engineering firm, the award signifies not only his technical prowess, but his leadership and impact within the engineering community. “It's truly humbling to receive this recognition from my peers," Kuklinski remarks. “I’m proud to be part of this industry and look forward to continuing to help in any way I can to advance it by mentoring the next generation of civil engineers.”
A Childhood Dream
Kuklinski realized at a young age that he wanted to design roads and bridges. His parents would tell the story of how as a little boy he would take apart his crib and put it back together again. “I basically decided when I was in fifth grade that I would go into civil engineering.”
A graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, Kuklinski knew he wanted to go to a prestigious engineering school not too far away from home. Lehigh was that place. While at the university, he was involved in numerous clubs and was the Newman Center organist for Packer Memorial Church. “The classes were great, and I still talk with many of my professors. My mentor was Ben Yen, Ph.D., an inspiration to me while at school and after I graduated. For many years, we ran the Bethlehem Bridge Tour together, and since his passing in 2020, I now run it for Lehigh students each fall.”
Kuklinski shows his appreciation to Lehigh as an active alumnus, having served on the Young Alumni Council, LUAA Board of Directors, the University Awards Committee, the five-year Reunion planning committee, and the University Board of Trustees, where he was on a committee that initialized the Lehigh Connects Mentoring Program. He currently serves Lehigh as the 1998 class correspondent, as the ASCE practitioner advisor for the Lehigh CEE students, on the Newman Foundation, and is the organ curator in Packer Memorial Church.
Supporting the Engineering Community
With a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and a minor in music, Kuklinski says he was very prepared to join the workforce after Lehigh. “I interned for three summers at a civil engineering firm under a Lehigh alum,” he adds. “When I was on campus, I learned the importance of being a mentor, and I give back to the university and the civil engineering profession by working with students and those new to the profession.”
Kuklinski’s involvement with ASCE goes back to his days as a student, joining in 1995. Since then, he has sat on countless committees and led dozens of projects. Currently, he serves as Lehigh University practitioner adviser and is a Region 2 governor, representing the organization’s sections in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. He served on the leader training committee from 2010-20, organizing the Presidents and Governors Forum and the Eastern Multi-Region Leadership Conference.
“ASCE keeps me connected to what’s happening in our industry across the country,” he says. “I also love creating opportunities for students and newly graduated engineers to grow and get involved in something that will have a positive impact on their careers.”
As a mentor, Kuklinski likes to remind others that the road to success does come with challenges, no matter what profession. He says “the win is to overcome the challenge and as problem solvers, which is what we are paid to do. We as engineers are lifelong problem solvers whether it be in design or construction.”
