Dr. Matthew Pierson - 2022 Faculty Awardee

Associate Professor, Cooperative Engineering Program

Dr. Matthew Pierson has demonstrated excellence in community engagement in two areas, the Adopt-a-Stream program for Jordan Creek in Springfield, and “Discover Engineering Day” a K-6 educational outreach event.

Discover Engineering Day is free community education event with activities and demonstrations geared to the K-6 age. In 2012, he started hosting the “Edible Concrete” activity and in 2014 he took over as the event organizer moving the event to the MSU engineering labs. The event has more than doubled in size to more than 200 children per year. To date he has coordinated 175 activities hosted by engineering students and professionals with 3000 people attending.

In 2013 Dr. Pierson began leading cleanups of Jordan Creek just downstream of downtown. This ½ mile section is in great need as it collects trash from all of downtown and is also the home of a population of homeless people. In 2017 he was successful in submitting the paperwork to officially “Adopt-a-Stream” requiring three cleanups a year.  To date 20 cleanups have resulted in the removal of over 1800 bags of trash. 

Among other activities, Matthew has also volunteered in various capacities for educational and engineering projects such as serving on the technical advisory board for Ozark Greenways and helping to build a 15’ bridge on the Greenway Trail with recycled materials.

For his service to community, Matthew Pierson is recognized as a recipient of the 2022 Faculty  Excellence in Community Engagement Award.