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Building the future: six leaders recognized at UNC Charlotte Engineering Alumni Awards

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As National Engineers Week drew to a close, the William States Lee College of Engineering gathered at the Harris Alumni Center on Thursday, Feb. 26, to celebrate the alumni who are helping build the future.

Categories: College Administration
Tags: Alumni General News

As National Engineers Week drew to a close, the William States Lee College of Engineering gathered at the Harris Alumni Center on Thursday, Feb. 26, to celebrate the alumni who are helping build the future.

The evening ceremony honored a select group of Charlotte engineering alumni and partners whose professional expertise, leadership and service actively defines the excellence of Niner Engineers. The alumni were recognized at a historic moment for the college: Enrollment records were shattered this year and the College welcomed its largest-ever class of first-year students. Keynton, dean of the W.S. Lee College of Engineering and event host, noted that such growth is fueled in part by the commitment of alumni leaders like those honored at the ceremony.

Rob Keyton giving a speech at awards ceremony

Keynton explained that the honorees exemplify an engaged alumni relationship that goes beyond the degree. “They bring deep industry insight back to the college by serving on our Industry Advisory Board and supporting student success by establishing scholarships,” he said. “At the same time, the strength of the William States Lee College of Engineering isn’t just found in our labs or our lecture halls. It’s found in the people who carry our name into the world.”

Keynton also noted that three of the honorees helped build the next generation by building new facilities on the UNC Charlotte campus. Due to a long history of training students in the construction and civil engineering fields, these honorees are a strong representation of the many Charlotte alumni who are building infrastructure across North Carolina and beyond, meeting the growing demand of industry relocating to the state.

All alumni winners were congratulated on their unique contributions and leadership. The 2025 alumni award winners are:

Emmanuel Wallace ‘21 B.S.E.E. and chair of the W.S. Lee College of Engineering Alumni Council, facilitated the event, and current students introduced award recipients during the ceremony.

Outstanding Alumni Award

Dean Arp ’99 M.S. in Civil Engineering

As president of Arp Engineering and state representative in the North Carolina General Assembly, Dean Arp is recognized as an outstanding alum for his accomplishments that help elevate UNC Charlotte’s reputation.

A professional engineer and structural engineer licensed in 40 states, Arp is founder and president of Arp Engineering in Monroe. He has also represented Union County’s District 69 in the North Carolina State House since 2012. Arp was the “engineer” of the Connect NC Bond package in 2016 that included $90 million dollars for the new science building at UNC Charlotte. More recently, he ensured UNC Charlotte was part of the N.C. General Assembly’s Engineering North Carolina’s Future initiative, leading to a $41.2 million investment. Arp currently serves on the W. S. Lee College of Engineering Industry Advisory Board.

The award was presented by Gabriel Jugan, a student in civil engineering.

Dean Arp shaking hands with a grad student

Outstanding Alumni Award

Jon Ward ’94 Civil Engineering Technology

Jon Ward, president and CEO of Ward Vessel and Exchanger Corporation, is recognized as an outstanding alum for his exceptional leadership in engineering.

Ward drives the family business with a commitment to excellence and a strong emphasis on excellence, integrity and quality. To encourage future Charlotte engineers with the same characteristics, Ward and those closest to him established the Ward Family Engineering Excellence Award. The scholarship supports and inspires the next generation of engineers and contributes to the future of engineering.

The award was presented by Caden Byers, a student in civil engineering technology.

Jon Ward shaking hands with a grad student

Professional Achievement Award

Carol Goolsby ’86 Mechanical Engineering

Carol Goolsby is the president of Goolsby Engineering, LLC and is recognized for her contributions to the profession through her entrepreneurial spirit.

Goolsby exhibited clear determination to earn an engineering degree by getting a scholarship and working part-time while in school. She carried this type of determination into her career with Duke Energy of the Carolinas. Now an entrepreneur of her own engineering firm, Goolsby gives back to the College and future students through the Prospector Scholarship, which recognizes students with a devoted, determined attitude toward hard work in the field of engineering.

The award was presented by Miya Smith, a student in mechanical engineering technology and the inaugural recipient of the Prospector Scholarship, established by Carol Goolsby and her husband.

Carol Goolsby shaking hands with a grad student

Service Award

Eric Reichard ’89 Civil Engineering

Eric Reichard, president and chief executive officer, Rodgers Builders, Inc., is recognized for his untiring service that elevates the impact of the College.

After serving in various roles for 30 years with Rodgers Builders, Reichard became CEO, which he still serves as today. He has championed many of UNC Charlotte’s most impressive capital projects, including the Dubois Center, the Jerry Richardson Stadium and Levine Hall. Reichard also currently serves as chair of the W.S. Lee College of Engineering Industry Advisory Board.

The award was presented by Aidana Nazyrynbekova, a student in computer engineering and a recipient of the “Eric and Shannon Reichard Scholarship.”

Eric Reichard shaking hands with a grad student

Industry Partnership Award

Bobcat Company

Bobcat was named as recipient of the industry partnership award due to their meaningful collaboration with the college.

In 2025, Bobcat created scholarships for students in STEM, supply chain and logistics. They also built a dedicated workspace on the UNC Charlotte campus for a student development program that fosters career growth and personal success.

Jeremy Bailey ‘04 mechanical engineering, ‘09 MBA, accepted the award on behalf of Bobcat. Bailey is the Director of Parts, Portable Power at Bobcat and a member of the W.S. Lee College of Engineering Industry Advisory Board.

The award was presented by Gabriel Almodovar, a student in electrical and computer engineering.

Jeremy Bailey shaking hands with a grad student

Outstanding Philanthropist

Graham Siddall, Precision Engineer, Innovator and Philanthropist

During the ceremony, Graham and Brenda Siddall were celebrated for a transformative legacy gift announced earlier that day. While not alumni of UNC Charlotte, the Siddalls are recognized for helping ensure the College will remain at the forefront of precision metrology.

LCOE alumni awards ceremony
Two people sit on opposite ends of a couch with a UNC Charlotte Alumni Association green pillow between them, and four people stand behind them
View more photos from the celebration event