SEAS alum named 2023 Young Engineer of the Year

By Elizabeth Egan 

The award recognizes a licensed professional engineer under the age of 35 who has displayed a sound knowledge and dedication to the engineering field and has devoted service to the chapter. Van Oss' father, Jim, mother, Rosanne Frandina, uncles, Joe and Frank Frandina and cousin, John Frandina, also University at Buffalo alumni, received the same award in 1993, 1989 1986, 1982 and 1990 respectively.

“Tim has extremely big ‘engineering’ shoes to fill. Both of his parents have been named Engineer of the Year by the UB Engineering and Applied Sciences Alumni Association (UBEAA) for their contributions to the profession and support of UB,” said Christine Human, SEAS associate dean for accreditation and student affairs and professor of teaching in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. “However, Tim fills these shoes and more. He was an outstanding student, a leader in the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and a dedicated teaching assistant. We are exceptionally proud of everything Tim has achieved and appreciate his commitment to the school.”

After receiving his master’s degree in civil engineering with a concentration in structural engineering and bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UB in 2016 and 2014, respectively, van Oss went on to work for a large multinational civil engineering firm in Buffalo. He worked on projects such as the Exchange Street Amtrak Station and the renovation of an existing subway line in Buffalo, while also contributing to projects around the world.

After six years at the firm, van Oss founded his own structural engineering consulting business, Capstone Engineering, PLLC and Capstone Developers, where he works on residential foundations and structural elements of custom homes, as well as other projects

Since graduating from UB, van Oss has remained involved with SEAS, volunteering to work with students and serving as the vice president of the UBEAA.

“I had been lucky enough to have a lot of scholarships through UB and different organizations, so, I thought it was part of my obligation to stay involved and pass my knowledge on to the next generation of students,” said van Oss. “I also just had a lot of really good experiences at UB, and I wanted to make sure that I can contribute to the students and help them learn what I learned.”

While a student at UB, van Oss received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, honoring students who integrate academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, including leadership, campus involvement, community service and the arts.

In 2020, van Oss was included in Buffalo Business First’s 30 Under 30, a list of 30 awardees in the Buffalo area under the age of 30 who have achieved high levels of success both at work and in the community.