News
November 2, 2020

Carolyn Searls Named to UC Berkeley Academy of Distinguished Alumni

Carolyn Searls Named to UC Berkeley Academy of Distinguished Alumni

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department (CEE) at the University of California, Berkeley, recently inducted Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) Senior Principal Carolyn Searls to the 2020 class of its Academy of Distinguished Alumni. This honor celebrates outstanding professional accomplishments and contributions of CEE alumni.

CEE recognized Carolyn for “major contributions to building envelope repair and preservation on historic and contemporary buildings; for contributions to advance the engineering practice in building preservation; for leadership in teaching and mentoring early career professional engineers; and, for support of Berkeley CEE as a guest lecturer to graduate structural engineering classes.” Carolyn received her M.S. in civil engineering from Berkeley in 1980 and has returned to campus to lecture on preservation technology and concrete failures and repairs. She has also returned professionally to assist with investigations and repairs of buildings on campus, including Haviland Hall; Stephens Hall; the Valley Life Sciences Building; and the Chancellor’s official residence, University House.

“I am honored to be a member of the 2020 class of inductees,” said Carolyn. “When I was a student at Berkeley, I was one of only a few women in my class. Over the years, I became the first woman Principal at SGH, and have hired and mentored many women after me. I am proud to be an alumnus of this program at Berkeley, which inspires individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue fulfilling careers in civil engineering. Today, more than ever, I am optimistic for the future of our profession.”

Read the announcement. 
See Carolyn’s alumni bio.