Grad student spotlight: William Lupton

Our research and teaching are only possible with the assistance of our nearly 300 graduate students. We shine a spotlight on a few students. 

William Lupton is a third-year master of civil engineering student with a concentration in structures. He grew up in New Bern, North Carolina, and is advised by Professor Mervyn Kowalsky. Lupton is a hybrid student who started as a distance education student. 

What influenced you to go into engineering? 

LUPTON (L): My dad was my biggest influence to pursue engineering. He graduated from the mechanical engineering department, and I grew up watching and asking questions about what he did on a daily basis. Math and science were my favorite subjects in middle and high school, and I attended several NC State engineering camps growing up that exposed me to many of the different disciplines within engineering, so I knew engineering was for me. 

Why was NC State / CCEE a good fit for you? 

L: NC State and the department are a great fit due to the combination of my classmates, professors, and passion for engineering that I found while growing up and continuing to pull for the Wolfpack on the athletic fields. I received my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from NC State in the spring of 2021, and it was a no-brainer for me to stay at CCEE for my master’s. 

I attended my first NC State football game when I was 4 months old. Both of my parents went to NC State, and I have been a Wolfpack fan since I was born, so I’ve always known that I wanted to attend NC State. 

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

L: I see myself continuing to progress my career in industry working as a professional engineer. I’ve been able to gain full-time working experience in industry after completing my bachelor’s degree while also working toward my master’s degree. I hope to continue to learn from my coworkers and bosses and take on more design responsibility in the future. 

This story first appeared in the CCEE Fall 2023 Newsletter.