Leaving a legacy

William (Bill) Badger is retiring from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering this year, leaving a legacy of progress and innovation in construction education.

In his last lecture, Badger shared leadership wisdom—55 nuggets—with a crowded room of students, faculty, family, alumni, donors, advisors and friends. His book, The DNA of Leadership, is aimed at emerging professionals in the construction industry, but his insights are applicable to all.

Badger has served as professor in the Del E. Webb School of Construction for 25 years, including 17 years as the school’s director. His vision and commitment has helped ASU garner recognition as one of the top construction programs in the nation.

“Bill is a tireless advocate for engineering education and the construction industry,” says Paul Johnson, dean of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. “He has helped build a phenomenal industry advisory board for our program. Through this leadership and vision, we have implemented a robust curriculum that prepares the future leaders of the construction industry.”

“I was honored to work with Bill as the president of his Industry Advisory Council for 17 years and very much appreciated his willingness to involve the construction industry and listen to our input to help improve the Del E. Webb School of Construction.  I am proud to call him a friend and wish him well in this next chapter of his life,” says Doug Pruitt, chairman and chief executive officer, Sundt Construction.

Over the course of his tenure, Badger helped build many of the Del E. Webb School of Construction’s endowments and scholarships, including the $4 million endowment after which the school is now named. Recently, Badger initiated a significant campaign to support the school.

The director of the school uses the William W. Badger Endowment Award to support many advanced student projects as well as initiatives reflective of Badger’s own interests in leadership, recruiting women and minorities and building a strong pipeline for future faculty educators.

Prior to his work at Arizona State University, Badger had a distinguished 26-year career in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, serving in China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Europe and the United States.

A registered Professional Engineer and member of the National Academy of Construction, Badger holds a doctoral degree in soil mechanics from Iowa State University, a master’s in civil engineering from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Auburn University.