Wilbur C. Milhouse III, PE Honored to Deliver Commencement Speech at Alma Mater

Milhouse President/CEO, Wilbur C. Milhouse III, PE, recently returned to his alma mater for a very special occasion. On Saturday, May 13th he delivered the commencement speech at the 2017 College of Engineering Convocation. Having earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (UIUC), it was only fitting that Mr. Milhouse delivered the address.

Hundreds of graduates filled the State Farm Center as he gave a motivating and engaging speech in which he offered a profound message and three pieces of advice:

• Eat the Frog First – Address whatever the hardest situation of your day is first so that the rest of the day will be easy;
• Send the Elevator Back Down – Share your wealth, attributes, and experience to help someone else;
• Get Out of That Box – Don’t be complacent.

Mr. Milhouse is a prime example of the quality, excellence and potential of UIUC graduates. In 2001, he founded Milhouse Engineering & Construction, Inc., a full service engineering firm located in downtown Chicago. Benito Mariñas, the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Department Head, stated, “Wilbur inspires the entire CEE at Illinois family with his outstanding accomplishments as an entrepreneur, innovator and leader in our profession, and with a strong loyalty to his Alma Mater.”

“You guys are coming from a world class institution, one of the best in the world, and you… stand on the shoulders of giants,” stated Mr. Milhouse to the young and eager graduates. “We are the individuals that change the world.”

Congratulations to all of the CEE and UIUC graduates!