May 7, 2024
Kramer receives AEI's Outstanding Architectural Engineering Educator Award
Kimberly Waggle Kramer, G.E. Johnson construction science chair and professor in the GE Johnson Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science, received the Outstanding Architectural Engineering Educator Award from the Architectural Engineering Institute at the organization's annual award banquet on April 10 in San Jose, California.
Kramer received the award "in recognition of her dedication to employ diverse and innovative teaching methods, and her commitment and contributions in developing Kansas State University's architectural engineering program."
She was nominated for the award based on her outstanding teaching in architectural engineering, as well as her significant contributions to the architectural engineering degree programs at K-State and the industry overall.
Former students Eric Grusenmeyer and Leah Collins wrote in a nomination letter, "Kimberly's goal is not to merely get students through a class; rather her goal is to ensure her students are capable engineers prepared for a career."
Another student, Laura Alkotami, wrote, "Professor Kramer has made a tremendous impact on me as a student and as a person throughout my time at K-State. She has helped me fall in love with the field of structural engineering through her professionalism and her teaching styles."
Kramer regularly teaches three or more courses each semester, in addition to her work as an advisor, working with more than 40 undergraduate students per year for course planning and helping them find jobs and internships. She also is active in graduate studies for the department, serving as major professor for more than 60 students over the years and on the committees of many more.
After graduating from K-State with a bachelor's in architectural engineering, Kramer spent 14 years working as a structural engineer before returning to K-State as a faculty member in 2003. In addition to her work with students at K-State, she remains a licensed structural and professional engineer in a variety of states and continues to engage with private industry as a consultant with KDK Engineering, LLC, which she co-owns.
The Architectural Engineering Institute, or AEI, was established in 1998 and exists as part of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The K-State AEI chapter seeks to integrate the technical and professional activities of all individuals engaged in the building industry while providing a multi-disciplinary forum for building students to examine technical, educational, scientific and professional issues of common interest.