Walden was a Guest Lecturer Presenting Engineering Ethics with Graduating Seniors at SUNY New Paltz Schools of Engineering

On October 30, 2019, Walden’s Ted Nitza served as a guest lecturer to the State University of New York (SUNY) – New Paltz, Department of Engineering graduating seniors on the topics of Engineering Ethics, the pathway to becoming a Professional Engineer and other related topics. This interactive presentation reviewed the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Code of Ethics in detail but also compared each Canon to the parallel components of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), The Association of Computing Machinery and the National Society of Professional Engineers. Ted also spent time on the ASCE’s newest Ethical Canon (Number 8) that calls for treating everyone fairly without discrimination or harassment.  Ted’s focus on the similarities of the different sets of ethics also helped to reinforce that significant engineering accomplishments are requiring more and more interdisciplinary approaches. 

The SUNY New Paltz Engineering Program is celebrating a new Engineering Innovation Hub (EIH) building on campus (Link). This facility houses the College’s popular bachelor’s degree program in mechanical engineering and includes new teaching and research lab spaces, as well as the school’s Hudson Valley Additive Manufacturing Center (HVAMC).

Also, former Walden intern Shweta Sawant (Article from Walden) was again featured in an article about graduate students making an impact (SUNY NP Link).  Walden’s Ted Nitza supervised her internship and has worked with several other interns and young engineers, scientists and other technicians.

Walden and Harkin Aerial Team Up for Comprehensive Drone Techniques Seminar at NYCOM Public Works Training School

Walden and Harkin teamed up to present at the 2019 New York Conference of Mayors NYCOM seminar in Ithaca, NY to discuss cutting-edge technology opportunities utilizing drones and specialty cameras for better utility and public works performance. The Monday, October 21, 2019 session included an audience of public work officials and municipal engineers. Walden and Harkin presented the session titled, Comprehensive Use of Drones for Lost Water Reduction, Stormwater Illicit Discharge, Construction and Asset Management.

Ted Nitza from our Walden team introduced emerging techniques for finding failed or leaking underground piping or assessing illicit discharges through use of drones with thermal cameras. These approaches can provide the MS4 communities more tools for improving water quality in their area. The evolving use of modern technology was also presented through case studies that informed participants of the advantages for better stormwater management.

Speaker Bio: Thomas, T. (Ted) Nitza, Jr., P.E., Senior Project Manager


Mr. Nitza is a New York registered Professional Engineer with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and an MBA.  Mr. Nitza has over 20 years of civil/environmental engineering experience in drinking water, sanitary sewer, stormwater utility, drainage and other water quality related fields.  He has helped many municipalities and utilities succeed and grow through direct engineering efforts as well as through the development of new markets, relationships and approaches to organic customer growth and utility partnerships, shared services agreements and regionalization efforts. Mr. Nitza is involved in many research and development efforts for utilities including PFOSs and PFOAs, underground leak detection, stormwater quality and renewable energy. Mr. Nitza has been a guest lecturer for several engineering classes focusing on topics of Engineering Ethics, pathways to a P.E. and other early career issues for graduating seniors. Mr. Nitza serves on Environmental and Conservation Boards for municipalities.  In addition to direct civil and environmental engineering, his expertise includes planning and strategic business studies, rate and funding studies, expert testimony and utility related lobbying efforts.

If you are interested in learning more about SUNY New Paltz School of Engineering click here: SUNY New Paltz School of Engineering

If you would like to learn more about Walden’s efforts in stormwater quality research and development, as well as opportunities with Harkin Aerial or other topics discussed, please contact Walden today!