History of the Southeast Branch and Wisconsin Section

The ASCE Wisconsin Section was originally organized as the Milwaukee Section. The Milwaukee Section started on March 20, 1923, when eleven members of ASCE got together to discuss the feasibility of forming a section. Temporary officers were elected, committees appointed, other members notified, and a constitution drawn up. With a few suggested amendments, the Section was approved by the ASCE Board of Directors meeting in New Orleans on April 16, 1923. These amendments were adopted and, subsequently, on February 5, 1924, the permanent constitution was established, officers were elected, and twenty-three members were enrolled. On May 20, 1924, seven more members joined.

Several meetings were held jointly with the Engineers and Scientists of Milwaukee (ESM) and in September 1926, a contract was signed affiliating the two groups. Meetings of the Section were held in various locations in the city. When ESM purchased a building at 3112 West Highland Avenue, most meetings were then held at the ESM Building. In April 1938, the Milwaukee Section changed its name to the Wisconsin Section.

Until 1962, the officers consisted of President, first and second vice-presidents, and a secretary- treasurer. In 1962, the latter office was separated. In 1969, the office of President-Elect was created, replacing one of the vice-presidents.

As mentioned, four branches have been established—Madison in 1962, Fox River Valley in 1966, Northwest in 1974, and Southeast in 1977. In 1995, the Madison Branch was renamed the Southwest Branch to more accurately indicate the Branch membership. There are five student chapters in the Section located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (established in 1921), Marquette University (established in 1923), University of Wisconsin Platteville (established in 1967), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (established in 1970), and at Milwaukee School of Engineering (established in 1991).

Nationally, ASCE is governed by officers and directors elected from the membership to represent ten geographical areas known as Regions, and seven technical specialties known as Institutes. The Wisconsin Section is a part of Region 3. The national President and two directors are elected at-large, Ten directors are elected by regional membership, and two directors are elected by Institute membership. Additional information about the National governance can be found at: www.asce.org/Regions-Sections-Branches.