CEI Engineering Associates Names Student Conference Room in CEREC

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The new student conference room in CEREC will be named after engineering firm CEI.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The student conference room in the new Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center at the University of Arkansas will now bear the name of CEI Engineering Associates Inc., in acknowledgement of a $100,000 gift from the Bentonville company.

The CEI Student Conference Room will seat 12 to 14 individuals and will be used for meetings with research sponsors and for master’s and doctoral student defenses. It will also allow for virtual meetings and student defenses.

Jeff Geurian, chief executive officer and president of CEI, said, “One of CEI’s founders was a University of Arkansas graduate. Since then, hundreds of the university’s alumni have followed in building and fostering our firm. Partnering with CEI, these graduates continue to invest in and improve life not only in Northwest Arkansas but have a platform to impact communities across the nation. It is imperative to our mission that we continue to have access to the brightest and best students to challenge our thinking and keep our approach to problem-solving fresh. As our community evolves, so must our employees. New industry professionals are our lifeblood for a healthy future. We are proud to amplify the voice and values of students from a variety of educational backgrounds as we come together to strengthen our communities, support our clients, their missions, and protecting resources by ensuring the best possible use and a forward-thinking approach to design.”

CEI is a leader in civil engineering, land surveying and landscape architecture with offices from coast to coast in the United States and a dedicated team of more than 100 professionals.

Micah Hale, professor of civil engineering, said, “We are all very thankful for CEI’s gift and their support of our students and the Department of Civil Engineering. Their gift will serve many generations of civil engineering students in the years to come.”

The Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center officially opened in summer 2021. It provides a space for students and faculty to conduct research and includes teaching laboratories related to material testing and full-scale material testing. The 37,400-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will also host several graduate-level courses, providing space for 15 faculty members and 75 students to conduct research.

Kim Davis, human resources manager for CEI, said, “We are excited to create a collaborative space where engineers and peers can share ideas and perspectives and build meaningful relationships that will last a lifetime. The university is an integral part of our lives. We want the students to feel the same. We are always here to help students find their way on the best path for their professional journey. Investing in the communities we serve is a guiding principle at CEI. Our employees collectively recognize the responsibility to support the next generation of civil engineering students by providing new scholarships, excellent internship opportunities and help to fund innovative programs.”

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.