About
The power of a place is created by the ideas and deeds of people who occupy it. One Walnut Street in Boston is more than a building. It is the home of The Engineering Center Education Trust, a wellspring for the community of engineers, surveyors, and allied professionals whose creative energies ease our daily lives and make our world work.
TECET also cultivates an atmosphere for learning and professional camaraderie through technical meetings, educational and professional development programs, a library, web site, grants, and events to inspire increased public awareness of our profession, and provides a permanent home for our engineering and land surveying societies.
The Engineering Center Education Trust is an educational and charitable nonprofit trust and owner of One Walnut Street in Boston. Since October 1989, TECET has fostered education of engineers, surveyors, and allied professionals with emphasis on life-long learning. TECET provides a home for professional and technical meetings, public outreach, and non-profit organizational support.
Learn more about the scholarships we offer.
A twelve-person Board of Trustees consisting of four representatives from each of the following sponsoring societies governs TECET:
- American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA)
- Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section/ASCE (BSCES), the oldest technical society in the United States, established in 1848
- Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers (MALSCE)
Sponsors
American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA) is the business association for engineering firms. Our members include over 110 of the leading engineering firms in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ranging in size from single employee entrepreneurs to branch offices and headquarters of national firms. ACEC/MA is dedicated to assisting its members in achieving higher professional, ethical, business and economic standards to provide quality consulting engineering services for their clients and the public.
Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section
The Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (BSCES) is a professional organization that excels in its technical programs, enhances the professional growth of its members, advances engineering knowledge and works to improve the standards of practice.
Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers
The Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers (MALSCE) promotes professional land surveying registration and provides professional development programs for surveyors, engineers and related professionals throughout the state. We have over 600 individual members in five chapters throughout Massachusetts. In cooperation with The Engineering Center, MALSCE enhances the land surveying and engineering professions.
Affiliates
New England Intelligent Transportation Society
The New England Intelligent Transportation Society of Massachusetts (New England ITS) serves as a forum and resource for ITS and increased awareness of ITS, and serves as an advocate and champion to mainstream ITS technologies and services. We carry out this mission in cooperation with our members and partners, now and into the future. Our goal is to increase awareness of local ITS projects and ITS benefits among local policymakers, political leaders and the general public. Our objective is to establish ITS Massachusetts as a resource for information on regional and local ITS projects and benefits.
Structural Engineers Association of Massachusetts
The Structural Engineers Association of Massachusetts (SEAMASS) is a non-profit, member-driven organization that pursues the common interests of practicing structural engineers and others sharing an interest in the activities of structural engineers. SEAMASS was established with the help of the Boston Association of Structural Engineers (BASE), a non-profit organization whose members are structural engineering firms. SEAMASS acts as the Massachusetts member of the National Council Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA).
American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts Education Corporation​
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts Education Corporation is a 501(c)(3) organization created for charitable and educational purposes, including, but not limited to, (i) the sponsorship and funding of scholarships for engineering and land surveying students, (ii) the sponsorship and funding of lectures, seminars and conferences, journals and other publications, and grants for the purposes of continuing professional education of engineers, land surveyors and related professionals; and (iii) the sponsorship, funding and/or conduct of research in the areas of engineering and land surveying for the benefit of the general public.
Boston Association of Structural Engineers
BASE began in 1958 on behalf of structural engineering firms within a 25 mile radius of State House in Boston to work with what is today known as the Division of Capital Asset Management DCAM. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, BASE became of member organization of The National Council Structural Engineers. Some of the members of BASE have served as President of NCSEA in the early days of its creation. BASE then created SEAMass in 2006 to be the member organization of NCSEA to allow all structural engineers in Massachusetts access to improve the practice of structural engineering and to foster communication among structural engineers to improve the practice of structural engineering.
Today, BASE is made up of member firms around the State of Massachusetts and other New England states. It continues to serve its members who are mostly business owners. It also continues to provide service to the public in the form of education towards the public and its members to provide safe, long-lasting, and economical structures in the built environment.
MALSCE Education Trust
The MALSCE Education Trust was founded to enhance the profession of land surveying and civil engineering in Massachusetts by providing scholarship and education grants for the students of land surveying and civil engineering who are Massachusetts residents. The MALSCE Education Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization.
Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers
MSPE is the only Massachusetts organization that provides engineers of all disciplines with opportunities for professional connection, development, and career advancement. MSPE education and outreach programs promote the countless ways that licensed, ethical engineering improves the well-being and security of all people. MSPE is an affiliate of the National Society (NSPE).
Aldrich Center
In 1989, TECET became steward of One Walnut Street. Its interior is exquisitely detailed in Victorian style with an exterior emblematic of Boston's red brick architecture. Designed by Charles Bulfinch in 1804, the renowned architect of the Massachusetts State House and US Capitol building, the building is named The Phillips-Winthrop House after its former residents John Phillips, Boston's first mayor, whose son Wendell Phillips, the famous abolitionist, was born in the house in 1811, and by Thomas Lindall Winthrop, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1826 to 1832.
Connected through the century to the paths of prominent Bostonians, the house was donated in 1939 to the Judge Baker Foundation by Mrs. James Storrow. In 1978, a complete historic renovation was undertaken to restore the house to its present carefully-preserved condition. The rehabilitation was certified by the US Department of Interior that documented the building’s significance to the Beacon Hill Historic District.
In 1989, the Phillips-Winthrop House became home of The Engineering Center. Its interior is exquisitely detailed in Victorian style with an exterior emblematic of Boston's red brick architecture.
In 1998, the first floor of The Engineering Center was dedicated with great honor to Dr. Harl P. Aldrich, Jr., in recognition of his significant leadership and generous contributions in the creation of The Engineering Center.
Today, the rich historic legacy continues. The Aldrich Center is owned by The Engineering Center Education Trust, founded by three engineering and surveying associations: BSCES, the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section/ASCE, the oldest technical society in the United States, established in 1848; ACEC/MA, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts; and MALSCE, the Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers. Through The Aldrich Center, The Engineering Center Education Trust serves the engineering community and other industries, catering to diverse professional meeting needs.
Through The Aldrich Center, The Engineering Center Education Trust serves the engineering community and other industries, catering to diverse professional meeting needs.
Learn more about the Aldrich Center, or contact us to book your space.
Kleinfelder Library
The Engineering Center Education Trust (TECET) houses a complete collection of the Civil Engineering Practice journal, published by the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section/ASCE, in addition to many other historic engineering and land surveying publications and resources in its research library in the Kleinfelder Library at One Walnut Street.
The Kleinfelder Library at The Engineering Center is open to the community during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, except during certain holidays. To find out more about the resources available to you, contact tecet@engineers.org or call 617-227-5551.
Awards
The Engineering Center Education Trust Leadership Award
Each year The Engineering Center Education Trust holds a dinner to support and highlight the importance engineering plays in the larger community. It is in part through the net proceeds of this dinner that The Engineering Center Education Trust continues to make grants and raise awareness of the contributions of engineers to our society. The Engineering Center Education Trust Leadership Award is presented at this annual event to outstanding leader in the areas of planning, designing, constructing and maintaining our built environment.
By honoring these leaders The Engineering Center Education Trust brings their great accomplishments and talents to the attention of the community. Their great achievements will inspire the engineers and surveyors of the future.
The intent of the Leadership Award is twofold. To recognize and honor the men and women who improve daily lives with their visions and dedication to their fields, and to demonstrate the endless possibilities of the future to the young men and women who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
Award Recipients
December 3, 1998 Dr. Harl P. Aldrich, Jr.
December 3, 1998 Charles "Hank" Spaulding
January 25, 2000 Douglas B. MacDonald
February 13, 2001 Charles A. Parthum
February 13, 2001 Leo F. Peters
February 13, 2001 Robert W. Foster
February 13, 2001 Gunther H. Greulich
March 6, 2002 Frederick P. Salvucci
February 19, 2003 Norman B. Leventhal
April 13, 2004 Gloria Cordes Larson, Esq.
April 28, 2005 Dr. Charles M. Vest
May 8, 2006 Matthew J. Amorello
May 8, 2006 Michael P. Lewis
May 2, 2007 David B. Perini
May 7, 2008 Andrew H. Card, Jr.
May 6, 2009 Thomas J. Kinton, Jr.
May 12, 2010 Michael S. Dukakis
May 25, 2011: Jane F. Garvey
February 8, 2012: Peter Meade
February 4, 2013: Mike Capuano
February 26, 2014: Anthony Pangaro
April 29, 2015: Joseph F. Fallon
November 10, 2015: Christopher Gordon
November 10, 2015: Luisa Paiewonsky
November 10, 2015: Robert Brustlin
November 10, 2015: Science Club for Girls
November 10, 2015: Harl Aldrich & Charles "Hank" Spaulding - Memorial Awards
November 10, 2015: Harl Aldrich & Charles "Hank" Spaulding - Memorial Awards
November 3, 2016: Frank DePaola, PE, Leadership in Infrastructure
November 3, 2016: David J. Hatem, PC, Leadership in Professional Service to the Engineering Community
November 3, 2016: Francis (Frank) D. Leathers, PE, Leadership in Geotechnical Engineering
November 3, 2016: Jean L. McCluskey, PE, Leadership in Engineering Management
November 3, 2016: Science on the Streets / Cambridge Science Festival, Leadership in Public Awareness & STEM Education Outreach
November 13, 2017: Judith Nitsch, PE, Founder, Nitsch Engineering - Leadership as Entrepreneur, Mentor and Advocate
November 13, 2017: Dr. Zorica Pantić, President of Wentworth Institute - Leadership in Land Surveying and Engineering Education
November 13, 2017: Representative Niki Tsongas, US House of Representatives - Leadership in Infrastructure Advocacy
January 23, 2019: Marty Meehan, University of Massachusetts President - Leadership in Public Policy and Education.
January 23, 2019: Joseph Aiello, Chair, MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board - Leadership in Public Infrastructure Management
January 23, 2019: Dorri Giles Raposa, (ret. HDR) - Leadership as the Founding Executive Director of The Engineering Center
January 28, 2020: Senate President Karen Spilka - Leadership in Public Policy
January 28, 2020: Joe Albanese, Commodore Builders - Leadership in Service to Country and Community
February 2, 2021: Thomas N. O’Brien - Leadership and Dedication to Sustainable Economic Development in Massachusetts
February 2, 2021: Stephanie Pollack - Leadership in Public Infrastructure Management
November 18, 2021: Katie Theoharides - For Guiding the Commonwealth Towards a Better and Cleaner Future
November 18, 2021: Mike McGrath - For Dedication Towards Improving the Commonwealth’s Transportation Infrastructure
November 15, 2022: Luciana Burdi - For Outstanding Leadership and Effective Oversight
of Massport's ongoing Infrastructure Investments
November 15, 2022: John Sullivan - For Outstanding Leadership in the Planning, Design, Construction, and Operation of Boston’s Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Systems
November 28, 2023: Jonathan Gulliver - For Dedication Towards Improving the Commonwealth’s Transportation Infrastructure
November 28, 2023: Jennifer Daloisio - For Guiding the Commonwealth Towards a Cleaner and Better Future