SIUE School of Engineering Professor Recognized as an Honorary IPLSA Member
August 11, 2026, 3:58 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s John Cabage, PhD, associate professor and chair of the Department of Construction in the School of Engineering (SOE) has been recognized as an honorary member of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association (IPLSA), one of the state's leading professional organizations representing licensed land surveyors in Illinois with about 1200 members at present.Cabage specializes in construction materials and sustainability. He has been a licensed professional engineer in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, New York and Louisiana, has previously drilled oil wells and built gas stations for the country's Exxon Company, served as a Vice President of an Environmental Services consulting firm, constructed homes in his own construction company and created his own roof truss manufacturing plant.
Cabage reflected on how SIUE’s long-standing partnership with IPLSA, along with the Missouri Society of Professional Surveyors (MSPS) has been helpful for the students to become licensed land surveyors—through advocacy for licensure standards and efforts to recruit the next generation of professionals into the field. With the average age of a licensed professional land surveyor exceeding 60, IPLSA has made workforce pipeline development a top priority.
"The effort has drawn significant support from industry, with 22 donors contributing toward digital marketing for the program. As of this academic year, enrollment has grown to 34 students in the major and approximately 20-30 in the minor," said Cabage.
The Department has secured a $520,000 federal award over the course of five years, providing resources for marketing, student recruitment and program development. Cabage noted that the surveying and geomatics field offers compelling career prospects for students who enjoy technology, mathematics and fieldwork, with licensed professionals often getting lucrative offers within three to four years of graduation.
IPLSA and MSPS chapters primarily focuses on advancing land surveying education, professional development and student support through providing pathways for students to earn the Professional Development Hours (PDHs) required to maintain licensure as they advance in their careers.
"Technology is changing in surveying so fast, like everything else, that you have to really spend some time retooling every year to stay on top of your game," Cabage said. "The association actually allows for that type of training to go on so that we can keep current with new rules, new legislation, new equipment and new technology."
To celebrate the growing program and its industry connections, Surveying and Geomatics will host an Open House on October 29 in the Meridian Ballroom. The event is open to students, faculty, industry professionals and community members interested in learning more about the surveying and geomatics field.
PHOTO: John Cabage, PhD; Wall Display of Cabage's Recognition in SOE's Department of Construction Management
