In this flagship series, we’re highlighting graduating University of Iowa students who have woven writing into their academic journeys across disciplines. Through these interviews, these exceptional students show how pairing writing with any major strengthens thinking, communication, and impact. At Iowa, our commitment to writing across the disciplines sets us apart, ensuring students in every field can develop this essential skill and carry it into whatever comes next!
Today we are featuring Anthony Lamoreux, graduating with a MSE in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Hydraulics) from the Graduate College.
Hi Anthony! Tell us a bit about yourself.
Born and raised in northwest Iowa, I began my academic career at the University of Iowa Civil and Environmental Engineering program for my undergrad degree. I continued on with the CEE Hydraulics program for my Masters. During this, I attended education outreach events at schools, career days, the Iowa State fair, and student panels to help the current and, sometimes simultaneously, the next generation understand the socio-economic problems caused by river flooding, and how we can reduce and prevent flooding altogether.
In a few short sentences, tell us how writing impacted your time here at the University of Iowa?
The communication of science to audiences with a non-science background was a difficult skill that I needed to learn to become a successful public-facing engineer. Because I see myself working with or for Iowans, I knew that being able to convey a highly technical engineering project/study to stakeholders and the public would encourage them to provide their comments and concerns in a confident and sincere manner. Today, confusion and misunderstandings can be the source of large portion of comments made on these projects, which is why I prioritized developing this skill.
What was one of your favorite classes or activities related to writing?
CEE 5225 Communicating Data through Stories. (Editor's note: Read more about this program here! )
What advice would you give to incoming students about writing at Iowa?
The University of Iowa prioritizes writing and verbal communication for its STEM programs because having the skill to convey the good and the bad to the public is what makes Iowa graduates more desirable to employers over other universities.
What are your plans for post-graduation? Any projects, continued studies, or exciting work news we can share??
After graduation, I am working for the HNTB Water Resource office out of Des Moines, IA. Also, I will continue working with my advisor, Dr. Marian Muste, on a start-up company that is focused on the next generation of river monitoring during extreme floods.