Schriner wins Chi Epsilon National Scholarship

Schriner, a civil engineering senior, is preparing to graduate next week and is also finalizing plans for two big life events -- beginning graduate school at the University of Utah later this summer and getting married in June.

He recently received a John A. Focht Chi Epsilon National Scholarship at the Chi Epsilon National Conclave, held March 10-12 in Boston. Last year, civil engineering major Shelly Jorgensen also won a Chi Epsilon National Scholarship.

Schriner said the $3,500 prize will take away a lot of worries during his transition from single undergraduate student to married graduate student.

"There's a lot going on all at one time," Schriner said. "It's going to be nice to have that extra money in case we need it. We won't have to worry quite so much."

Schriner, from Kearney, Nebraska, said he plans to focus on studying urban infrastructure systems and water control systems in graduate school. That direction, Schriner said, was inspired greatly by the UNL civil engineering faculty.

"Dr. (John) Stansbury has been very influential in my decision-making. I've taken three classes with him and I learn a lot every time," Schriner said. "He has insight into things relating to water resources and has definitely piqued my interest a little more and made me want to go in that direction."

Of particular interest, Schriner said, is helping to reduce and control water runoff and incorporating greenspaces in urban areas and the impact those designs can have on nearby streams and lakes.

"Water is such an integral part of our everyday lives and it seems to be in the news more and more," Schriner said. "It's such a big problem for our world and I wanted to be part of the solution, at least."