Jones Edmunds took the opportunity to support future engineers by providing a critical learning tool to the students of Steve Laux, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Engineering Services at the University of Florida (UF ESSIE).

Steve joined UF in 2017 after a 32-year career as a civil engineer at Jones Edmunds, primarily practicing in the fields of solid waste management system design and infrastructure design for the aerospace industry. He now teaches courses in solid waste systems design, containment system design, civil engineering practice, and construction engineering design. His courses in civil engineering practice teach students about project management, construction cost estimates, scheduling, presentations skills, and construction contracts and drawings.

One of the things Steve has always had a need for is a source of data for his students to practice cost estimations. This semester, his students are using a former Jones Edmunds project as an example to practice and learn. The Silver Springs Pollution Reduction project captured urban runoff from State Road 40 and Ocala that was discharging into Silver River. To practice completing cost estimates for the project, the students will now have access to data sources Steve utilized while at Jones Edmunds, RS Means data. Jones Edmunds purchased multiple licenses of the online student edition so Steve’s students may gain practical experience using a tool they will likely use in their future careers.

Steve expressed gratitude for the donation, “It really is a big deal for us to have access to this software. The students and I very much appreciate the donation and the support that Jones Edmunds has provided. After so many years spent with Jones Edmunds, the opportunity to continue partnering with them, through welcoming guest lecturers and receiving this support, brings a lot of joy to this chapter in my career.”