Amazing Alumnus:

Scott Bullock ’99, College of Engineering

Current life role: Civilian with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a Project Engineer in the reconstruction efforts, Tikrit, Iraq.

Since May 2005, Scott Bullock has donned body amour and a helmet, putting his civil engineering degree to use in reconstruction efforts in Iraq. Bullock is employed as a civil engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District - Hydrology and Hydraulics Branch, but he is stationed in Tikrit, Iraq, as a civilian with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Rebuilding basic services

As a project engineer, Bullock helps rebuild critical infrastructure in war-torn Iraq including water compact units, roads, oil pipelines, bridges, landfill incinerators, and sewage projects. He also has managed the renovation of eight fire and police stations. A significant portion of his daily job involves interaction with Iraqi engineers, contractors, and other professionals, and Bullock has earned praise from his superiors for his successful management style. In fact, Bullock is working with Iraqi engineers to establish a professional engineering society.

The Bronze Star

Originally, Bullock’s unit was called up for active duty in 2003, drawing a one-year assignment at the infamous Baghdad International Airport. As a combat engineer battalion, the group’s mission was to build “Camp North Victory” on land that had been Saddam Hussein’s prize hunting and fishing grounds. “Converting that land into a military base was an indescribable feat,” he says. As the battalion’s project manager specialist and assistant to the battalion civil engineer, Bullock was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. “Getting that award is something I will never forget,” says Bullock.

Bullock says his professional success is tied directly to his Valpo education. “VU professors helped me build a solid engineering foundation, which has not only helped me build my career but also has helped those around me, including the citizens of Iraq.” If all goes as planned, Bullock returns stateside in May 2006, and plans to make good use of the Christmas present he bought himself this year: a 2006 Heritage Softail Harley Davidson.