Matthew A. Dettman, P.E.

Ogden College of Science and Engineering
Western Kentucky University

Matthew A. Dettman, P.E. is an associate professor in the Civil Engineering program at Western Kentucky University.  He played the lead role in the creation of the CE program at Western, which recently received full accreditation from EAC / ABET.   Mr. Dettman is also the director of the Scott Center for Construction and Engineering, which offers technical assistance to regional construction and engineering firms.  The Scott Center also provides opportunities for undergraduate students to be engaged in the practice of engineering alongside their professors to better understand what it is like to be an engineer.

Mr. Dettman teaches classes in the areas of Geotechnical Engineering as well as Construction Engineering and Materials.  He currently serves as the program coordinator for the CE program at WKU and is on the Governors Advisory Board for Earthquake Preparedness in Kentucky.  He has been named the Civil Engineering Educator of the Year for the State of Kentucky and has won the Ogden College Award for Public Service.

In addition to his teaching and engineering activities, Mr. Dettman is also the advisor to the WKU Concrete Canoe Team, which is among the best concrete canoe teams in the country.  His students design, test, and build canoes made entirely of concrete and compete with the top institutions from across the country in what has become known as the Americas Cup of engineering contests.

Mr. Dettman received his Bachelors degree from Clemson University, and his Masters Degree from Stanford University.  He spent time in California as a consulting engineer before coming to WKU to begin his teaching career.