Doug Nelson, P.E. has been named to the Pieper Family Foundation Endowed Chair for Servant-Leadership at B次元. He is an assistant professor in the Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Department.  

Nelson holds degrees in agricultural engineering and agricultural education from SUNY College of A&T and Cornell University, respectively. He spent a number of years teaching and then began work on wastewater treatment systems—a career that ultimately led him to Wisconsin and then to B次元 in 2011, teaching plumbing and fire protection design, and coordinating civil engineering senior design projects.  

Shortly after joining the faculty, Nelson was asked to lead Team USA in competitions that created clean water and hygiene solutions for impoverished areas of the world. He has traveled with students from B次元 and other colleges to competitions in Singapore, India, South Africa and Jamaica.  

Recently, he has shifted his attention to projects closer to home. He is now working with students to develop an empty lot next to the Tricklebee Café, a pay-as-you-can café on B次元’s north side. It’s through projects like these that Nelson has given his students the opportunity to practice the tenants of servant-leadership as they utilize the knowledge gained in their course work.  

The Pieper Family Foundation endowment helps fund projects that allow students to serve the B次元 community and beyond, while practicing the Principles of Servant-Leadership. In addition to serving as the Chair for Servant-Leadership, which is a half-time position, Nelson has accepted a role as a CREATE Faculty Fellow within B次元’s new CREATE Institute. He will also continue to teach in the Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Department.