'We All Learn from Ron'

Ron Henke, in his own words, "can't stop going to school. I constantly have to learn new software. I need to understand the why of things - not just that the book says it."

Colleagues and students who work in the Department of Transportation Support Center (DOTSC) laud Henke's knowledge, professionalism and helpfulness. Dennis Jacobson, DOTSC director, says: "He's one of the best state employees the NDDOT (North Dakota Department of Transportation) has. I'm not talking just engineers now, I'm talking all around professional. He's extremely productive and he's innovative. He keeps you on your toes because he sets high standards for performance. It's great just to be associated with him. We all learn from Ron, no matter where we are in our careers."

Jacobson points as well to Henke graduating last December for the second time. Henke did this while working full-time with a project load of more than $106 million worth of designs, Jacobson adds.

Henke first graduated from North Dakota State University in construction management in 1988. In 2001 he earned a second bachelor of science degree, this time in construction engineering. He joined the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) in 1990, moving to Fargo in 1997.

In autumn 1997 he became a full-time employee with the DOT, working in the construction division. That's also when he started working on his second degree. Then in January of 2000 the DOTSC began. Jacobson, who initiated the Center, recruited students in classes. Henke began work with four students. Now, nine students keep him busy teaching and mentoring.

In its first year the DOTSC has expanded the perception on campus of transportation engineering as viable and interesting, bringing an awareness the NDDOT hoped would happen. Jacobson and Henke both work to keep interest growing.

Last October he took the eight-hour engineering-in-training exam and has applied to take the professional engineers exam. The DOT helped with degree expenses.

As the daily manager in DOTSC, Henke enjoys himself. He likes working with students. The real world designs they do help them learn about the transportation field, encourage transportation as a professional prospect for the students and assists the work load for the NDDOT.

A list of some of the work students, with Henke's guidance, have done in the past year includes:

• Construction signage for the multimillion dollar I-29 project through Fargo
• A reconstruction project that included subgrade, base and concrete
• Structure removal concept and plans for an abandoned railroad, taking out ties and flattening
• Shadowing of technicians on work sites last summer
• Surveying on re-construction projects
• Inventorying and collecting data
• Looking at safety enhancements for roadways

Students also discover the complexity of learning how to work with people while learning how to do multiple engineering tasks. For any of the DOT projects there may be as many as 100 or more letters to people interested in projects who might want more information or who may have objections or suggestions to a plan.

Then it's compiling the viewpoints and making a decision statement. How to do a job and developing alternatives on how to do it are always challenges they face, together.

Downstairs in Hastings Hall, the DOTSC students keep busy. They use the industry standard GEOPAK and MicroStation formats. They figure things out - they learn how to think like engineers.

With Henke's guidance they learn to combine engineering and people skills - a good day's work by any standard.