Providence Engineering is proud to announce that Jonathan U. Dougherty, Ph.D., Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and affectionately known as Dr. J., has been recognized by the Penn State College of Engineering with the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award—the highest honor bestowed by the College.
A Celebrated Career in Engineering and Education
Dr. J. earned his Bachelor of Architectural Engineering in 1999 and his Ph.D. in Architectural Engineering in 2006 from Penn State. With a career spanning more than two decades, he has made significant contributions to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry through his leadership and dedication to education. At Providence Engineering, he leads workforce development, marketing, learning and development, and chairs the Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) Committee.
Dana Ziegler, PE, President of Providence Engineering, shared, “Dr. J. brings passion and purpose to everything he does—whether it’s advancing our company’s internal culture, championing future engineers, or supporting the Penn State community. We are thrilled to see his contributions recognized with this prestigious award.”
His impact also extends to the classroom. Dr. J. has taught at both Penn State and Virginia Tech and continues to serve as a mentor and advocate for engineering students and young professionals across the AEC industry.
A Penn Stater Through and Through
Dr. J. has a long-standing commitment to the Penn State community. He currently serves as President of the Penn State Engineering Alumni Society, board member of the Fox Graduate School Alumni Society, and board member emeritus of the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Advisory Board. Dr. J. is also past president of the Penn State Alumni Society of Architectural Engineers and. His volunteer efforts have earned him recognition as Penn State’s Volunteer of the Year, and his professional leadership was acknowledged by Engineering News-Record in its 2013 “Top 20 Under 40”.
In addition to his numerous volunteer leadership roles, Dr. J. is known by most Penn Staters as “The Button Man,” for his tradition of wearing a coat covered in over 1,000 Penn State football buttons at Homecoming and other university events. This spirited display has been featured by media outlets and the College of Engineering, reflecting his deep pride in the University and its community.
“We are proud of Jonathan’s accomplishments, both in industry and as president of the Penn State Engineering Alumni Society,” said Tonya L. Peeples, Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineering. “The recipients of the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award embody what makes the Penn State alumni network so powerful: innovation that solves real-world problems, leadership that inspires others and a commitment to excellence and to the University that spans entire careers.”
About Providence Engineering
Established in 1992, Providence Engineering provides Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing engineering design and drafting services for new buildings, renovations, and additions. For three decades, we have offered traditional building engineering design, construction means and methods design and served as the Engineer of Record for our clients. We take pride in offering a creative and flexible design approach that helps our client’s vision become reality. This approach, and our legacy of constructible, affordable, and timely results, is why we are the Engineer of Choice. With a team of highly skilled professionals and a 100% employee-owned structure, Providence Engineering is dedicated to delivering reliable, innovative, and client-focused solutions.
