While earning an engineering masters degree at Cornell University, Regina Clewlow began developing the vision for Engineers Without Frontiers USA (EWF-USA). When she had finished her bachelor of science in early 2001, she had been looking for a way to use her engineering know-how to make a positive contribution to the world – in particular, to improve the lives of those living in poverty, and to ensure that the world’s resources could continue to support the growing human population. She was somewhat disappointed that during her college engineering experience, there were few opportunities to discuss (and address) critical real-world problems.
Working with her mentor and friend, Krishna Athreya, Regina developed a framework for what would soon become a rapidly-growing national organization. Krishna, as the Director of Women and Minority Programs at Cornell University, was concerned about the recruitment and retention of talented female and underrepresented minority students into the field of engineering, and was convinced that an organization like EWF-USA could make a difference. This shared passion led to the launch of EWF-USA.
2002
As part of a masters degree course, Regina developed the business plan for EWF-USA. She secured affiliation with a local, Ithaca, NY, non-profit incubator called CRESP Center for Transformative Action, and began volunteering full-time after graduating to lay the groundwork for the organization. In the spring of 2002, the first collegiate chapters were formed at Cornell University and Pennsylvania State University. By December of that year, several other chapters would form at leading engineering programs in the United States; including Stanford, Northwestern, Caltech, and UC Berkeley. The first two overseas volunteers were sent to Costa Rica and India during the summer of 2002, spending three months volunteering on water and environmental projects. As part of the EWF-USA model, the volunteers’ work was coordinated with locally-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
2003
During the spring of 2003, the first EWF-USA college course was launched by Rachel Davidson at Cornell University. Through the class, students worked on sustainable engineering projects to address real-world problems. Through one of their flagship projects, a Cornell student team worked with local Honduran technicians and engineers, increasing access to clean water for villages in the rural Western region of the country. Cornell University hosted the first national conference. Over 150 students, academics, and industry professionals attended.
2004
In March 2004, EWF-USA changed its name to Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW). The second annual national conference is hosted by Stanford University. Over 600 participants attended -- four times as many people than in 2003.
2005
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approached ESW to begin building a global framework for the organization. ESW began hosting a series of meetings with partners from around the world to develop a shared vision and plan to engage engineers in sustainable development. By now, ESW-affiliated faculty and students have started 13 “engineering for sustainable development” courses on ten college campuses in the United States.
2006
The 4th annual national conference was hosted by The University of Iowa in September and featured prominent speakers from engineering, industry, and community development to foster a global discourse on both developed and developing nation solutions.
2007
The ESW national office relocates from Ithaca, NY, to the San Francisco Bay Area, home to an extensive network of engineering professionals and world-renowned academic institutions.
2008
ESW hosts its 5th annual national conference in February in San Francisco at the Nob Hill Masonic Center. The conference facilitated national dialogue on global sustainability for its 200+ attendees.
In September, ESW welcomes Julie Chow as its new Executive Director.
ESW Today
ESW continues to grow in reach and impact through campus sustainability initatives as well as through its collaboration with partners around the world to address and have a positive impact on global sustainability.
