David W. Johnston Named ASCE Distinguished Member

The N.C. State Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering proudly celebrates Dr. David W. Johnston, Edward I. Weisiger Distinguished Professor Emeritus, for being named a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Aside from president, the distinction is ASCE’s highest honor, acknowledging Johnston’s impactful contributions to construction engineering research, education, and licensure. Of its 160,000 members, only 12 can be elevated each year.

Dr. Johnston’s efforts have helped shape the identity and legitimacy of construction engineering as a standalone discipline within the Professional Engineer licensure. His work allowed for thousands of engineers to pursue licensure under a pathway that didn’t previously exist, titling him “the father of professional licensure for construction engineers.”

“I started this effort wanting to improve the PE licensure path for our own construction engineering graduates,” Johnston said. “Leading the nation-wide change required credibility based on technical understanding and involvement in multiple organizations. Knowing that the effort is now benefiting so many is a great feeling.”

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Johnston touched nearly every facet of construction engineering as a profession. Following studies for his bachelor’s (‘66), master’s (‘68), and Ph.D. (‘72) degrees from NC State, he spent seven years working on a multitude of buildings, bridges, and nuclear containment structures. He joined the NC State faculty in 1977 and spent 34 years teaching, advising, and leading program development. 

He established both master’s and Ph.D. programs in construction engineering and played a critical role in multiple ABET accreditation reviews. Johnston was instrumental in expanding the department’s physical and research infrastructure. He led efforts to equip the Constructed Facilities Laboratory (CFL) through an NSF infrastructure grant and later helped plan and transition the department into Fitts-Woolard Hall. These initiatives greatly enhanced the department’s ability to attract top-tier faculty and graduate students.

“Dr. Johnston’s leadership helped define construction engineering as we know it today,” said Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson, Ph.D., Twisdale Family CCEE Department Head. “His work has advanced not just our department, but the entire profession. We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.”

Johnston’s technical research has had a wide-reaching impact. His work on bridge management systems and formwork pressures has influenced national standards and infrastructure policy. A bridge management system developed under his leadership for the North Carolina Department of Transportation was cited by the U.S. Government Accountability Office as a model for national use. 

In recognition of his work, Johnston has received numerous honors, including the ASCE Roebling Award, the ACI Delmar Bloem Award for Distinguished Service, and election to the National Academy of Construction in 2015. He also served as chair of the ASCE Construction Research Council and the Construction Engineering Education Committee, and was an ABET evaluator for nearly two decades. His accolades represent his technical expertise and his dedication to the engineering profession.

As construction engineering continues to evolve, Johnston emphasizes the need for thoughtful leadership: “We’re entering an era where tools are abundant, but discernment and deep technical understanding are more important than ever.” 

Dr. Johnston’s legacy prevails through the programs he built, the engineers he trained, and the standards he defined within engineering. His selection as an ASCE Distinguished Member is a fitting tribute to a truly remarkable career.