In May 2011, Dean Mukasa ’77, informed the CEPS Scholarship Awardees in the audience, "The Distinguished Alumnus Award is given annually by the CEPS Alumni Society for outstanding contribution to society in the field of engineering, science, or mathematics that has enhanced the image of the University of New Hampshire."
Edmund Bergeron graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member of the track and cross country teams and a brother at Phi Kappa Theta. Ed obtained a Master of Business Administration Degree from Plymouth State College in 1988.
Mr. Bergeron has continued his education throughout the years and expanded his professional engineer licensure beyond New Hampshire to13 other states. Additionally, he is licensed as a land surveyor in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Selected sited accomplishments include:
Served as an adjunct faculty member at UNH from 1997 to 2003, where he taught Timber Design and a new course designed and implemented by him titled, "Issues in Engineering Practice and Management."
Published the book, "A Pocket Guide to Management for Engineers & Surveyors," 2009, Wiley New York, along with several other related journal and magazine articles.
Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE, American Council of Engineering Companies of NH, ACEC-NH, Council of American Structural Engineers, CASE, Structural Engineering Institute, SEI and Structural Engineers of NH, SENH, CEPS Advisory Board, and others.
Received NH Society of Professional Engineers (NHSPE) "1981 Young Engineer of the Year," NHSPE "1998 Engineer of the Year," Mt. Washington Valley "2008 Employer of the Year," 2010 UNH Alumni Meritorious Service.
Mr. Bergeron’s employment as a civil engineer began at the New York State Department of Transportation in Watertown, NY, where he worked in the bridge and highway design department from 1970 –1972. Upon returning to New Hampshire, he was employed by Hamilton Engineering (now Dubois & King) in Nashua, NH, as a civil engineer. He was in charge of highway projects and scheduling of survey crews under contract to NHDOT for highway layout. In May of 1974, H.E. Bergeron Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors was founded in North Conway. The firm had one full-time employee and grossed just $25,000. Over the years, the company has grown and expanded services into the areas of civil, environmental, structural engineering and land surveying. The name was changed in 1987 to H.E. Bergeron Engineers. staff now totals 20.
Speaking to current UNH students, Mr. Bergeron reminds you that, "You’ve just begun a journey of life-long learning. Be prepared to change the world! Life is a marathon, not a sprint! UNH is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in higher education. I know from experience working with students I have hired from many other schools. Simply put, UNH alumni are well rounded and excel in the workplace."
Mr. Bergeron offers Bill Gates' Rules to Realities:
- Set goals
- Follow the 80/20 rule and be part of the proactive 20%
- Seek mentor(s)
- Build a network
- Give back
- Have a diversion
- Try something that doesn't come easy
- If you don't wake up each day excited, do something else
- Become a team leader
- Find a way to add value
Ed is married to Kathleen Carroll Bergeron, Plymouth State University, BA 1970, and MBA 1997. They have two daughters who are engineers: Amy Bergeron Bryan, BS UNH 1997, and Kate Bergeron Gull, BS MIT 1993. They have four beautiful granddaughters Tori 5, Maeryn 6, Lilly 7, and Liza 10.
Kathy shares, "Ed has always been interested in a variety of sports. He began road biking about ten years ago. He increased his distances each year and one year decided that he would like to ride one hundred miles in a day. Tin Mountain Conservation Center, a local outdoor educational organization, sponsors such a ride. Ed entered his first ride and was hooked. As part of his entry fee he raises pledges for sponsorships. He has raised over $10,000 for Tin Mountain to continue its mission of camps and programs.
An important off-shoot is that our granddaughters, all four, go to Tin Mountain Camps each summer. The oldest, now ten has been going since she was four. They come from California and Massachusetts to enjoy the out-of-doors in New Hampshire and learn about nature. This year, they were here to cheer Grampy on in his ride while watching their mother/aunt and father/uncle also ride. It was a great day."
