You could say that Aggie maroon runs through Conner Lutz’s blood.
The recent civil engineering graduate was born and bred an Aggie. His parents met at Texas A&M University and his two older siblings graduated here too.
Lutz always knew where he wanted to go to school, but still had to decide his major. Initially he thought mechanical engineering, but said he went for civil engineering because of the guidance and inspiration of his father, a senior vice president at Pape-Dawson Engineers.
"Because of its unique demand for soft skills such as public speaking and teamwork, I was drawn toward the program and future career," he said. "Plus, it was rumored that only the best and brightest go into the civil engineering department, and I didn't want to pass up that opportunity."
Before Lutz began his collegiate career, he was accepted into the College of Engineering's Craig and Galen Brown Engineering Honors Program.
"Engineering Honors gave me the motivation and connections necessary to be the best I can be in college," he said. "To anyone considering the program, apply. Trust me, similar to when you thank your mom after taking her advice, you will thank me later."
Speaking of advice, Lutz has some for fellow engineering students.
"Always better yourself, and I don't mean just in terms of studying," he said. "Always look to push yourself beyond what you think you are capable of and work on personality traits that are less than helpful such as laziness or selfishness. I realize that is demanding, but in the end, you will benefit."
Lutz credits his parents, James '92 and Melissa '93 Lutz, for their lifelong guidance and consistent encouragement. But he also had some professors who inspired him through his collegiate career.
"I met professor (Alton) Rogers through the CVEN 400 capstone class, and although I technically met him once through my industry connections, I had no idea the amazing life he has lived," he said. "He has literally done everything that I desire to do in life. Whether it be his deep interest in the well-being of his family or owning a successful business in civil engineering, professor Rogers has shown me what a very driven individual can do with the education that Texas A&M provides."
Lutz was also drawn to programming classes like Richard Hutchinson's AutoCAD, and structural design engineering classes like Michael Brackin's steel design class.
"I feel that these classes allowed me to truly test and stretch my engineering abilities," he said.
While not in class, Lutz was involved in organizations both on and off campus during his undergraduate studies. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Student Engineers’ Council Institute of Transportation Engineers as well as St. Mary's Catholic Church CONNECT Retreat, Aggie Awakening and John 15.
In fact, one of his favorite places to study was at the St. Mary's Catholic Student Center.
"In addition to having an unusual amount of civil engineers in the congregation, St. Mary's provided a quiet yet social atmosphere that enabled me to study as best I can," he said.
Lutz is currently working for the engineering firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. in College Station and San Antonio and plans to begin his master's degree in structural engineering in fall 2020.