Many young adults wonder if their careers will meaningfully impact the world around them. Surrounded by over eight billion people, students may feel as though the world would change very little without their presence. Besides the theological fact that God has created each of us with a purpose, we can be encouraged by stories of those who have contributed faithfully through their work. One such example is civil engineer Joel Cummings ’94 who recently served as project manager for the design of Christian to Crescent Cable-Stayed Bridge in Philadelphia, a vital addition to the ongoing Schuylkill River Trail project.

A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, Joel attended Geneva because of its Christian focus and strength in the sciences, a combination that was unique amongst the schools he considered. Joel’s experience revealed his interest in structure, from good scores in his high school geometry class to the questions surrounding the “why” of building that arose during his construction summer job.

Since college, Joel has worked in a variety of engineering jobs, but currently works for one of the largest engineering companies in the world, AECOM, primarily in the transportation sector. Joel’s responsibilities have shifted over time from a focus on design to manager. He compares himself to an orchestra conductor as he directs employees, staffs projects, and ensures details don’t hinder the progress of a project. Joel frequently manages highway and bridge projects that require waterway permits and must abide by the rules associated with federal funding, which includes affected resources, environmental concerns, and the preservation of endangered species.

As project manager for the Philadelphia bridge project, Joel oversaw the construction of a crucial portion of the 128-mile Schuylkill River Trail project. The 650-foot cable-stayed bridge and 1150-ft approach spans run parallel to the shoreline, creating a completely off-road connection between South Philly and Center City and giving residents increased access to their work locations and the bustling activity of a commercial area of the city. When the bridge first opened, its popularity brought over 20,000 pedestrians a day,  far exceeding previous trail use of 30,000 people a week. With the opening of the bridge, Philadelphia residents can enjoy greater safety when biking to work as well as greater ability to engage in healthy recreational activities.

Despite the bridge’s success, it was not completed without several unique challenges. Joel lists funding as a major challenge; many times, he found himself wondering “Is this really going to happen?” However, he is grateful for the vision and endurance of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation as it sought to support something beautiful and not merely functional. Other challenges included the need for a coast guard permit, required remote office work due to COVID-19 regulations, and site-related obstructions. These challenges resulted in a curved bridge alignment that weaves its way along the shoreline, threading the needle under two bridges and over a barge delivery dock. The curved alignment added to the completed beauty and ultimately led to Joel’s favorite feature of the bridge — its cable weave pattern that is striking both up close and from afar.

As he reflects on the way his Geneva education prepared him for his current job, Joel believes the broad education he received shaped him into a “broad person.” He says, “Engineering is part of me, but I have pretty broad interests, and Geneva encouraged that.” Even as he pursued an engineering degree, Joel had the opportunity to take classes in fields outside of his expertise in the humanities, political science, and economics departments as part of Geneva’s core curriculum. After taking Dr. Frederick Jay Neikirk’s political science class (Great Issues in Politics), Joel was inspired to regularly read the Wall Street Journal, a habit that has continued to this day.

Further, Geneva’s engineering department has a broad set of core classes, allowing students to specialize their engineering degree through a concentration rather than through a completely separate major. This gave Joel the chance to take mechanical engineering classes and courses that focused on engineering economics, broadening his understanding of the discipline and allowing him to enjoy a wide range of studies. Joel recognizes that his current position as a manager does not only entail lessons he learned in engineering classes but includes an understanding of human nature as he strives to interact well with those he works alongside, reflecting his studies at Geneva.

Joel is also grateful for the generational impact Geneva has had within his family. His dad graduated from Geneva, and now his daughter attends the College. Though these three members of the family settled on Geneva for a variety of reasons, the common thread through all their decisions was the fact that Geneva is a Christian college. Joel’s dad transferred in from a different school and, after serving in the army, attended Geneva while working in the steel mill. He appreciated the learning environment and his friendships with fellow students and professors. Joel’s daughter Lydia ’26 was impressed with her prospective student visit, and she has enjoyed her experience at Geneva during the past few years. Ultimately, Joel shares, “Your faith underlies what you do,” a statement lived out in his faithful work.