WESTVILLE – Purdue University Northwest Professor Emerita of Construction Engineering & Management Technology Martha Garcia-Saenz was recently honored by the Westville Area Chamber of Commerce for her years of service to the organization.
Garcia-Saenz is a Westville resident and has served as the Purdue Northwest Westville Campus representative to the chamber for most of the 18 years she taught at PNW. She served three terms as vice president and is one of the organization’s longest-serving board members, earning her the informal title of chamber historian.
“The Westville Area Chamber of Commerce and PNW have worked together for many years to promote the economic development, progress and stability of our community. It has been an honor to represent Purdue Northwest,” said Garcia-Saenz.
Garcia-Saenz retired from PNW in May and was granted professor emerita status by the Purdue University Board of Trustees.
A campus and community volunteer
Shortly after joining the faculty in 1999, Garcia-Saenz started the student organization Women in Engineering and Technology on the Westville Campus. Her intent was to provide a means to encourage and empower female students in the engineering and technical fields to succeed academically, personally and professionally.
She played an instrumental role in establishing two academic scholarships presented to deserving PNW students in the engineering and technology fields.
Garcia-Saenz also served as faculty advisor to the campus Construction Club, leading them to several national student building competitions.
She and her students were visible volunteers in the community, taking part in Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Duneland activities and lending a hand to individual projects that would help those in need.
