Samantha “Sami” Wallace ’15 is part of a strong family legacy of MSOE graduates. Her father, Scott Wallace ’85, and grandfather are both alumni, and since graduating a decade ago, Sami is forging her own legacy through an accomplished career and ongoing support for the university’s mission and students.

Raised in Concord, North Carolina Sami was introduced to the world of engineering early on through her father’s work as a NASCAR engine machinist. In high school, a volunteer opportunity with Habitat for Humanity sparked her interest in construction sites. When it came time to apply for colleges, her father encouraged her to consider MSOE. 

At MSOE, Sami majored in construction management and technical communication. She immersed herself in campus life—joining the MSOE Stunt Team, taking on leadership roles in the Lambda Zeta Nu (LZN) sorority, and competing with the Mechanical Contractors Association of America student chapter. 

During her sophomore year, Sami met a representative from PCL Construction at MSOE’s Career Fair. That connection led to three consecutive summer internships—and ultimately, a full-time job offer. After graduating in 2015, she relocated to New Jersey where she helped build an amusement and water park in the American Dream shopping mall in East Rutherford.
After a year with PCL, she joined Clark Construction in Washington, D.C., to work in preconstruction and run internal renovations within the Clark buildings. One of her first big jobs was the construction of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial.
“It was amazing to be part of that job and now I’m a volunteer with the National Parks Service. Twice a month I get to teach people about the memorial and its construction, which is also cool to see something I built be so impactful to the public.”
Sami went on to complete several other impressive projects, including the National Air and Space Museum and the Seattle Convention Center.

In 2023, Sami was promoted to senior superintendent. She now works in the historic Cannon House Building, the oldest congressional office building on Capitol Hill, where she’s helping lead the restoration of the building. 
Even though her job keeps her busy and away from Milwaukee, she remains deeply connected and engaged with MSOE. Currently, she helps to organize the annual Brewers vs. Nationals game outing in D.C. for MSOE alumni who also reside in the area.

“D.C. is such a great networking town, so it’s nice to get together with other MSOE alumni working in this area, hang out and reminisce about our time on campus.”

Sami has also remained close with her sorority sisters from MSOE, taking trips together along with their children. Sami and other LZN alumnae have pledged to support a mother’s room within the upcoming Engineering Innovation Center. In 2022, she was honored to receive the Graduate of the Last Decade Award at MSOE’s annual Alumni Awards ceremony.
MSOE is also where Sami met her husband, Josh Ruehlow ’14. Today both still visit campus to catch up with classmates at alumni events, including Summer in the City. This year’s event on July 11-13 will be especially meaningful, as Sami looks forward to celebrating her 10-year reunion.

“As a third-generation legacy at MSOE, I’ve always felt very connected to this school, and it feels great that MSOE feels connected to me, too.”