UA Engineering Student Receives National Scholarship from ACEC

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Chris J. “CJ” Searcy Jr., a junior mechanical engineering student at The University of Alabama, recently received the American Council of Engineering Companies’ Small Firm Council Scholarship worth $5,000.

Searcy, from Selma, was nominated for an ACEC General Scholarship by the ACEC of Alabama. As one of three national winners selected for general scholarships, Searcy’s application was reviewed based on cumulative grade point average, an essay, work experience, recommendation letters and extracurricular college activities.

ACEC is the business association of America’s engineering industry, representing more than 5,700 independent engineering companies throughout the United States engaged in the development of America’s transportation, environmental, industrial and other infrastructure. Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional organizations.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has more than 2,700 students and more than 100 faculty. In the last eight years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.