Featured Article

Q&A: Distinguished Alumnus Credits UT Tyler for Successful Engineering Career

Clayton Carroll of Tyler graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and stays active as an UT Tyler alumnus. He was most recently named a 2020 UT Tyler COE Distinguished Alumnus. Learn more about Carroll and why he credits UT Tyler for his success and gives back.

Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

While at UT Tyler, I was a student officer of ASCE and a member of the concrete canoe team. I also worked on a TxDOT grant for two years as a lead author for the development of two transportation research board papers.

Since graduation, I have served as the ASCE Practitioner Adviser, the chairman of the UT Tyler Department of Civil Engineering Industry Advisory Council; and a member of the UT Tyler College of Engineering Advisory Board.

I received my licensure as a professional engineer in geotechnical engineering in 2018. I currently work for Terracon Consultants – a geotechnical engineering consulting firm based out of Olathe, Kansas, and with over 150 offices across the country. As the manager of the Tyler Terracon office, I get to wear many hats. I am ultimately responsible for leading business development, providing growth opportunities for our employees; and overseeing the operations and service that our geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing and environmental engineering departments provide to our East Texas clients.

In addition to my most recent award, I received the 2018-19 UT Tyler Civil Engineering Service Award. Honestly, I couldn’t have dreamed that I would ever even be considered for these honors, knowing the quality of graduates UT Tyler has produced. The honors have resonated a sense of pride and accomplishment not only for myself, but also for my parents who sacrificed so much to make sure that I received a college education.

Describe your educational journey. . .How did you discover UT Tyler?

I attended SFA my freshman year of college but did not intend on staying due to their lack of a civil engineering program. My immediate family had moved to the Tyler area, so I wanted to be closer to them. After touring UT Tyler, I made the easy decision to enroll.

What do you like about the UT Tyler College of Engineering?

I believe the small class sizes allow students to have much more interaction with faculty, which heightens both technical knowledge as well as communication skills. It would just be hard to gain the same levels of interaction at large universities.

How did UT Tyler prepare you for a successful career?

UT Tyler provided me with the technical knowledge, problem-solving and presentation skills I have needed. Also, involvement with the ASCE chapter provided networking opportunities that I very much still lean on today.

Why give back to UT Tyler? What motivates you to stay involved?

I have really enjoyed getting to know the students and being able to support them during a very stressful time in their lives. Terracon has shown an incredible commitment to supporting the communities in which our employees work and has backed me every step of the way. I also have the view that supporting the college is an investment in my own degree. If the program continues to flourish and grow, then our degrees are more valuable.

Who was your favorite professor, and why?

I have to say two.

Dr. Gangone exemplified everything it means to be a teacher. He always found the time to help us understand even if it wasn’t his class subject. His “office hours” should have just stated all day, every day.

Dr. McGinnis always saw something in me that I never really saw in myself. If you had asked me while in school, I would have told you he was hard on me, but now looking back I realize he was teaching me more than just an engineering curriculum.

What advice do you have for current UT Tyler students?

Enjoy the journey. It is very easy to get caught up in the worry of when it will be over or how it will end. Take time to enjoy the process. From someone who was always guilty of trying to “control an outcome,” I have grown to realize that you have very little control of what is going to happen but 100 percent control of how you will respond. Focus on the now, do things the right and ethical way, and watch how things will naturally unfold.

What are your hobbies/interests?

I am an avid hunter and spend a lot of time in the Golden Triangle Region of Illinois each fall. It is the trip I look forward to and is the best way to unwind and de-stress from my job. I also enjoy traveling and try to see a couple of new places each year.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Shout out to my college classmate/friend/professor extraordinaire, Dr. Matt Vechione!

#COE