August 2022
Our student spotlight was asked to fill out a questionnaire that Help us “pull back the curtain” a little and give our Section membership a chance to learn more about our student members. These are Noah Kendall’s answers.
5 “Serious” Answers
Have you ever been involved with ASCE at any level (Student Chapter, local Branch, Section, or Global Society)?
I am a Student Member of ASCE and currently the President of WTAMU’s ASCE Student Chapter. I participated in the Region 6 ASCE Student Symposium of 2022 in Houston Texas as the captain of the Steel Bridge Team. My team won 2nd place overall. Currently I am working with my faculty advisor at WTAMU and the ASCE Texas Section as a member of the planning committee for the 2023 Student Symposium hosted by WTAMU and co-hosted by Texas Tech.
Tell us about any current projects or plans you are working on (for school or job/internship).
For the beginning of this summer, I worked as an intern for a structural engineering firm in Amarillo Texas. I have moved onto other projects for a carpentry company called Danner Brothers Construction. There I have been learning from experienced carpenters and lending some engineering advise when I can.
Do you have or have had a mentor? How did y’all meet and why your mentorship relationship works?
I have several mentors. Some are spiritual mentors who disciple me. One is a financially wise person who teaches me how to be smart with my money. Another is my faculty advisor at WTAMU, Dr. Kenneth Leitch. He and I work well together to manage the ASCE student chapter. He is a great teacher and helpful professor who is willing to give time to his students. Our relationship works well because he is patient with me, and I do my best to respect him and his knowledge.
Who or What has inspired or is currently inspiring you?
My friends in high school inspired me to go to college. My father inspired me to be a civil engineer. My wife inspires me to work hard and provide for my family. Our upcoming and first baby inspires me to live with integrity.
What are your goals for the coming year?
My long-term goal is to bring what I am learning now to people who don’t have access to it. I am dedicating myself to being a part of something beautiful in third world countries by helping them learn how to improve their lives. My goal for ASCE is to give back tenfold the benefits they have given me.
4 “Fun” Answers
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I build things for my wife and friends. I love carpentry and making wooden art as gifts, such as mantel pieces and animal carvings.
What was your high school nickname?
My high school nickname still sticks today. They call me Noah Balboa.
Mountains or beach?
I prefer the mountains over the beach. I just got back from a trip to Colorado where I climbed two mountains taller than 14,000 feet named Challenger Point and Kit Carson Peak in the Sangre de Cristos Mountain Range.
What is your favorite band?
My favorite musician right now is Charley Crockett.
