Montana Tech civil engineering senior awarded Michael L. Condon Civil Engineering Scholarship

A Montana Technological University civil engineering senior has been awarded the Michael L. Condon Civil Engineering Scholarship by the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) Educational Trust.

Zachary Clark, of Post Falls, Idaho, received $4,000. Established in 2015, the Michael L. Condon Civil Engineering Scholarship honors the late Michael "Mike" Condon, co-founder of Condon-Johnson & Associates, for his contributions to the deep foundations industry. The fund provides scholarship awards to deserving students enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate civil engineering program and who are interested in pursuing a career in the deep foundations industry. The deep foundations industry involves dam construction and maintenance.

Clark completed an internship with Avista Utilities that solidified his interest in pursuing a career in deep foundations. During the internship he helped maintain the company’s dams along the Clark Fork and Spokane rivers.

“I love big infrastructure projects — dams, bridges, big transmission lines. It’s always been awe-inspiring to me,” Clark said.

The Michael L. Condon scholarship is available to students from several colleges including: California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University - Pomona, San Diego State University, Santa Clara University, University of California - Davis, Oregon State University, Washington State University, Montana Tech, University of Colorado Boulder, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

“Montana Tech’s Civil Engineering Department is proud to offer a quality bachelor’s degree that allows students like Zachary Clark to have outstanding careers,” Department Head Dr. Mary MacLaughlin said. “We appreciate Zachary’s hard work and dedication to civil engineering.”

Clark’s college experiences include playing on the Oredigger football team for three years and helping establish the Civil Leadership and Technology Club. Though he has a background in deep foundations through his internship, he was surprised to earn the scholarship.

“Michael Condon was an expert in his field and made an everlasting impact,” Clark said. “To be awarded the scholarship established in his name is a tremendous honor.”

Clark thanked those who have made his path to being an engineer possible.

"Without my family, all my professors at Montana Tech, my teachers from back home, and all my coaches throughout years of sports, I wouldn't be where I am today," Clark said.