Inducted 2025
John Hartwell completed both his bachelor’s and master’s in civil engineering with a specialization in soil and foundation engineering at Iowa State. As an undergraduate, Hartwell was a member of the US Army ROTC, Cyclone Battalion, served as the Cadet BN Commander, and was an accomplished student. He connected with Dr. Richard Handy, leading to a part-time laboratory technician job in the ISU Engineering Research Institute lab. His time at Iowa State sparked a long career in geotechnical, environmental, and military engineering.
Prior to graduation, Hartwell, received the Governor’s Award in 1973 as the outstanding ROTC cadet in the state of Iowa, He also received the Camp Commander’s Outstanding Cadet for the Advanced summer camp at Ft. Riley, KS in 1973, and the US Army Leadership Award presented to him by Gen Creighton W. Abrams, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington D.C. in 1973. After graduating in 1974, Hartwell received a Regular Army commission as a Corps of Engineer second lieutenant, stationed in West Germany. After three years on active duty with the 130th Engineering Brigade, Hartwell joined the US Army Reserves, continuing to provide engineering consulting/design services in the 416th Engineer Command. In 2001, after 28 years of service, Hartwell retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Upon his return to the US, Hartwell entered the private sector as a project engineer. He built his career through innovative land development projects and ideas. Returning to the Midwest with his family, Hartwell started consulting, eventually becoming a leader of ENR Top firms, and an advocate for multidisciplinary professional engineering education. He joined Terracon in 1980 and spent 19 years building expanded services and developing great teams. He founded the firm geo-environmental company in: Terracon Environmental. As the firm expanded, Hartwell stepped into the role of president/CEO. His leadership grew the company from himself to 400+ colleagues and established Terracon Environmental as an industry-leading geo-environmental firm. He retired from Terracon in 1999, and he entered the next chapter of his career.
Hartwell went back to graduate school in his 50s after joining a solid waste consulting engineering startup, Aquaterra Environmental Solutions Inc. As their chief engineer and board member, he worked to complete a PhD program at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He completed his PhD in 2015. His research allowed for a more accurate estimation of weight in landfills. Aquaterra merged with SCS Engineers, where he remained a senior consultant until his retirement in 2020.. Hartwell currently holds professional engineering licenses in Nebraska, and Iowa. He further maintains emeritus/retired status as a P.E., in Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, South Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. His expertise in the field, effective management, and strong mentorship for up-and-coming engineers earned Hartwell a reputation as a patient, practical engineering practitioner with a wry sense of humor.
Throughout his career, Hartwell maintained active membership in many professional organizations. Readily stepping into leadership positions in both professional and civic organizations including president, board member, or chair. These organizations have included the Association of Soil and Foundation Engineers, Kiwanis Club of Greater Omaha, the Nebraska chapter of the Institute of Hazardous Material Managers and the Nebraska Cornhusker Chapter of The Solid Waste Association of America. He was involved in scouting for over ten years as the Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 429 and Mid America Council, Soaring Eagle District Eagle Advancement chairman. He currently serves a member of the board of directors and treasurer for the Nebraska Vietnam Veteran Memorial Foundation.
Hartwell met his wife Jean while at Iowa State, and all three of the Hartwell children followed in their parents’ Cyclone legacy. Their son, Doug, graduated from the civil engineering program in 2010 with his master’s in structural engineering in 2012. Their son, Paul graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s in electrical & computer engineering, and their daughter, Jennifer, graduated in 2004 with bachelor’s in elementary education. All three are happily married to fellow Iowa State alumni, and among them, are raising nine potential Cyclones.