Dam Safety Scholarship Program

ASDSO's Dam Safety Scholarship Program was established in 1992, recognizing that one of the keys to achieving the association's goals is the development of well-trained technical persons. Through the program, ASDSO annually awards a scholarship to at least one undergraduate junior or senior who has demonstrated an interest in pursuing a career in hydraulics, hydrology, or geotechnical disciplines, or in another discipline related to the design, construction, and operation of dams.

As of 2025, ASDSO has awarded more than 50 scholarships totaling more than $280,000.

View History of Scholarship Recipients

The window to submit applications for the 2027-2028 Undergraduate Scholarship will open in early 2027. Information will be available on this page and through ASDSO's member newsletter.

2026-2027 Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship

Claire Houk
University of Kentucky
Top Recipient 

Claire Houk is a senior at the University of Kentucky studying Civil Engineering with interests in water resources and geotechnical engineering. She has conducted undergraduate research on sediment transport in karst systems and completed internships with GAI Consultants and Nissan, gaining practical experience in hydrology, hydraulics, stormwater management, dam engineering, and environmental engineering. She also serves as president of the University of Kentucky’s Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society, reflecting her commitment to leadership and professional development within the civil engineering community. 

Claire was awarded a $10,000 scholarship and a travel stipend to attend the Annual Dam Safety 2026 conference in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Benjamin Horner
South Dakota State University University
$5,000 Scholarship Recipient

Ben is a senior at South Dakota State University (SDSU). He has completed three summers as a water resources engineering intern at Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. (SEH), gaining valuable experience in both H&H design and dam safety. Ben currently serves as the vice president of his local Tau Beta Pi chapter in addition to being a student member of ASDSO, ASCE, and MSES. These experiences reflect his strong commitment to leadership and a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to engineering.

Grace Darner 
Ohio University 
$5,000 Scholarship Recipient

Grace is a senior in Civil Engineering at Ohio University with a strong interest in water resources, transportation infrastructure, and dam safety. Through three summer internships, she has gained hands-on experience across multiple areas of civil engineering, including water resources with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), dam safety with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), and transportation engineering with DLZ. These experiences have strengthened her technical skills and broadened her interest and passion for the planning and design of critical infrastructure.