News Feature                                                            7/2/2008

SONIA MAASSEL JACOBSEN, P.E. Hydraulic engineer, USDA-NRCS, St. Paul, Minnesota, Sonia Jacobsen recognized as American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers an (ASABE) Fellow

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has named twelve individuals of extraordinary accomplishment to it 2008 class of ASABE Fellows. The twelve were inducted at a ceremony on July 1, during the 2008 ASABE Annual International Meeting, being held in Providence, Rhode Island.

To be considered, an individual must demonstrate unusual professional distinction, with outstanding qualifications and experience in the field of agricultural engineering. Twenty years' membership in ASABE is also required. Only about two percent of the active members of ASABE have achieved the grade of Fellow.

SONIA MAASSEL JACOBSEN, P.E.  Hydraulic engineer, USDA-NRCS, St. Paul, Minnesota, Sonia Jacobsen has been recognized as an ASABE Fellow in recognition of her expertise and outstanding contributions in the emerging field of wetland hydrology and water resources engineering.  

Jacobsen is currently responsible for projects relating to water in Minnesota, which include wetland hydrology, steambank stabilization, irrigation, drainage and more. As the state technical specialist in this area, she provides technical assistance and policy guidance to NRCS engineers and cooperating partner agencies. 

Jacobsen has collaborated with federal and stage agencies and universities nationwide to devise and publish procedures that examine the impact of drainage activities on wetlands. She has served on the Minnesota Board of AELSLAGID (oversees licensure of engineers, architects, land surveyors, etc.), and is currently serving as an ABET volunteer in the evaluation of collegiate engineering programs.

 A 29-year member of ASABE, Jacobson has served on the Board of Trustees, provided leadership to Soil and Water division and Education committees, and is currently serving as chair of the Membership Development Council and Minnesota section. She received the PEI Professional Engineer of the Year Award from ASABE, and is one of 238 women engineers who were recognized in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ book entitled Changing Our World: True Stories of Women Engineers.

ASABE is a scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems. Founded in 1907 and headquartered in St Joseph, Michigan, ASABE comprises 9,000 members representing more than 100 countries. ASABE members serve in industry, academia, and public service and are uniquely qualified to determine and develop more efficient and environmentally sensitive methods of cultivating food, fiber, and timber for an ever-increasing world population. For further information, contact ASABE, 2950 Niles Rd, St Joseph, Michigan, 49085; 269-429-0300; hq@asabe.org; www.asabe.org/.

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