--- title: "Vander Werff receives regional award for advising Dordt's ASCE student chapter" date: 2026-09-10T07:07:00-05:00 author: Jennifer Vermeer canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/vander-werff-receives-regional-award-for-advising-dordts-asce-student-chapter" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Research and Scholarship](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=research-and-scholarship) Sep 10, 2026 # Vander Werff receives regional award for advising Dordt's ASCE student chapter The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has recognized Dordt University engineering professor Dr. Justin Vander Werff with its Region 7 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/i-6nRfK7Q-X3.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.3287-0.4047&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=afdc2057&v=b7ad49be5edad6679c983a0189f66a7122f628ccdb55ed43cac7da297e41b952) ![]()Dr. Justin Vander Werff, professor of engineering at Dordt University, has received the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Region 7 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award, a recognition of faculty advisors who demonstrate exceptional leadership and service to their university's ASCE student chapter. Through its student chapters, the ASCE provides opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, build professional relationships, participate in regional and national competitions, and engage with practicing engineers. The Region 7 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award recognizes advisors whose leadership helps student chapters thrive and prepares students for meaningful careers in civil engineering. For Vander Werff, the award is ultimately a recognition of Dordt's student chapter and the impact it has on students. "The main reason I appreciate this award is because it reflects on Dordt University's ASCE Student Chapter as a whole,” he says. “When a faculty advisor receives an award, that award communicates that the work of their chapter is being noticed and is meaningful." > I am thankful to play a small part in building these connections for students whom I trust the Lord will continue to use in His kingdom service in their industry work." Since its formation in 2009, Dordt’s ASCE student chapter has remained active, allowing members to participate in Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge competitions, attend regional conferences, engage with the Iowa Section, and host an annual regional Iowa Section Joint Meeting in northwest Iowa. As faculty advisor, Vander Werff sees the chapter as an important extension of Dordt's mission to equip students for work toward Christ-centered renewal in all areas of life. While students develop technical knowledge and professional skills, they also gain opportunities to view engineering as a calling to serve others, steward creation, and contribute to the public good through their work. "I believe that one of my primary purposes as a Dordt faculty member is to equip my students with the lifelong recognition that they are servants of Christ in their engineering work,” says Vander Werff. “ASCE provides an outstanding venue for students to connect with civil engineering industry work, so when I see our student chapter succeeding, I recognize that I am watching students lay the groundwork for successful industry service. They are building connections to be difference makers, to be salt and light in the civil engineering world." Ultimately, Vander Werff is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Dordt students as they prepare for meaningful engineering careers in the communities to which they are called. "I am thankful to play a small part in building these connections for students whom I trust the Lord will continue to use in His kingdom service in their industry work," he says. --- **About Dordt University** As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt offers undergraduate and graduate programs that help students live their faith in every area of life. Through rigorous learning, meaningful relationships, and whole-person formation, students gain the practical wisdom to serve God and neighbor through their work and in their communities. Dordt has been named among the nation's leading Christian universities by *U.S. News & World Report*, *Niche*, and other national publications. --- [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/0ae04af7-bcb5-4543-82eb-d69a99ce9464.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=48137e8c&v=c53beee30a15f5cfc991aaffef486e18c451d5b578e9a42c7b650ceeda341e35) Notable Sep 10, 2026 ## Dordt professor of English anticipates release of third full-length album with local band The Ruralists, a Sioux Center-based band consisting of primarily Dordt graduates and faculty members, will release their third full-length album titled Letting Go on September 18. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-professor-of-english-anticipates-release-of-third-full-length-album) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) Sep 10 General #### [Praise & Worship ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/praise-worship-2026-09-10) Sep 11 Campus Visit Days #### [Campus Visit Days ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/campus-visit-days-2026-09-11) Sep 12 General #### [Math Teachers' Cir ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/math-teachers-cir-2026-09-12) ![A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2021-22/Buildings-and-Campus/2021-09-23_001574-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&f=webp&c=3d670641&v=d2bdb7cbdc83e5be46d3a10afe8a1214a0e770536697eb0ddbe29e017d2e9577) <![CDATA[YII-BLOCK-BODY-END]]>