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Special Features: Civil Engineering & Artificial Intelligence

There's always been a lot going on at Union, but that's never been more true than now. Students are flocking to the reinstated civil engineering (CE) major and new environmental engineering major, while CE graduates laud the program's return. And students across the liberal arts, sciences and engineering are tackling the technical and moral implications — and the benefits and drawbacks — of artificial intelligence. Learn more about environmental and civil engineering and artificial intelligence in these two features.

A graphic that says Civil engineering returns

Civil engineering returns

In May 2022, the College announced the return of civil engineering and the addition of environmental engineering.

Students working on a civil engineering project.
Students working on a civil engineering project.

A brief history of civil engineering

One hundred and sixty years. Sixteen decades – from 1845 to 2005. That’s how long the previous iteration of the Civil Engineering Department existed.

An archival photo of past Union College Civil Engineering students.

Civil engineering returns

Civil engineering returns

In May 2022, the College announced the return of civil engineering and the addition of environmental engineering.

A brief history of civil engineering

One hundred and sixty years. Sixteen decades – from 1845 to 2005. That’s how long the previous iteration of the Civil Engineering Department existed.

Alumni talk civil engineering

A protective helmet that is worn in the field
Katie Zehnder '98

Katie Zehnder '98, who innovates with new tech and AI

Harry White '92

Harry White '92, who finds a way

John Keller '91

John Keller '91, who has engineering in his blood

Lisa Freed '86,

Lisa Freed '86, who inspires future engineers

Kathryn Gardow '80

Kathryn Gardow '80, who has done it all

A graphic that reads AI at Union

Navigating AI at Union

Across campus, students are learning about generative artificial intelligence.

Students working on a civil engineering project.
Students working on a civil engineering project.

Students leverage AI across disciplines

From computer science to English, students are applying artificial intelligence tools to their studies and research.

Students working on a civil engineering project.
Students working on a civil engineering project.

AI at Union

Rieffel's robots

John Rieffel's research focuses on a different flavor of AI — robotics.

Alumni talk artificial intelligence

An illustration of a computer circuit
Haicheng (Harri) Lin '16

Haicheng (Harri) Lin '16, mathematics and visual art

Alessandra Knight '14

Alessandra Knight '14, Spanish with anthropology minor

Antonio J. Gutierrez Jr. '10

Antonio J. Gutierrez Jr. '10, philosophy

Stephanie Perry '04

Stephanie Perry '04, geology and psychology

John Kelly III '76,

John Kelly III '76, physics