Bison Across the Mountain West, New Mexico: NDSU alumnus leading successful civil engineering career

In his 30+ years as a civil engineer, Rob Grosz has helped bring some pretty impressive structures to life, from NFL stadiums to data centers and detention facilities across the country. One of his first major projects was the State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, home to the Arizona Cardinals.

“I've done some bigger projects since then, but that is what really kind of kicked things off,” Grosz recalls. “I was thinking ‘oh, my goodness gracious, I’m this wide-eyed kid walking the Arizona Cardinal Stadium that’s under construction. I can't believe I'm doing this.’”

Today, Grosz serves as the CEO/President of the Consulting Engineers Group, an engineering consulting firm that designs and builds structures across the U.S. Grosz oversees projects and staff, bringing together technical expertise, collaboration and leadership to ensure projects run smoothly.

While he enjoys the scope and responsibility of his role, Grosz considers mentoring the next generation of engineers one of the most rewarding parts of his career.

“The development of the people and of other managers, the work that I can do with them, I consider some of my best friends. That's really the cool part is collaborating,” he said.

From a Bison Football fan to an NDSU engineering student

Growing up in North Dakota, Grosz became familiar with NDSU long before he stepped into a classroom. His father, William Grosz, graduated NDSU with a mathematics degree, began farming after graduation and ultimately ended at Basin Electric in Bismarck. Living in Bismarck, Grosz frequently visited campus when he would drive to Fargo with his father and brother for NDSU football games, which at that time were played outside at Dacotah Field.

When it came time to go to college, Grosz knew he wanted to become a Bison as well.

“There was no doubt I wanted to go to NDSU. I didn't apply or interview anywhere else. I knew from day one that it was NDSU,” he said.

Choosing a major took a little more consideration. Initially torn between agricultural and civil engineering, Grosz decided to pursue civil engineering and see where the degree would lead. As he progressed through his prerequisite courses and began studying engineering fundamentals, he knew he found his fit.

“When I started taking my first engineering courses such as statics, dynamics, mechanics and materials, I was like, all right, this is where I need to be,” Grosz recalls.

His coursework gave him the technical foundation he needed, while hands-on experience helped him see how classroom concepts translated into the profession. Among his most memorable academic experiences was his senior design project, a chance for engineering students to apply what they learned in the classroom directly to hands- on projects that tackle real-world challenges.

An opportunity to complete a cooperative educational experience with North Dakota Concrete Products in Bismarck proved equally influential. Taking a semester away from classes to gain professional experience gave Grosz a firsthand look at the engineering industry and helped him build confidence in his abilities.

Grosz describes the co-op experience as “invaluable,” giving him the motivation to finish his degree and preparing to enter the workforce.

“I was just determined after that co-op,” he said. “It wasn't guaranteed I was going to have a job there, but I had a confidence that I did a good enough job. They liked me, and sure enough, it worked out.”

After graduating, Grosz worked at North Dakota Concrete Products for four years before moving out to Arizona to further his career, ultimately leading to his current role.

Always a part of the Herd

Grosz’s NDSU experience extended beyond the classroom. Not only did the university help shape his professional path, but it also contributed to the personal relationships that continue to be important to him today.

Two years into his degree, one of Grosz’s closest friends, his brother, Bryon Grosz, joined him at NDSU and went on to earn a degree in computer science.

And it was during Grosz’s time in the Sigma Chi Fraternity where he met his wife, Amy.

“Almost 30 years of marriage, three adult children, one grandson with another grandson due in December, I can honestly say that NDSU has played a massive role in where me and my family are today, both professionally and personally,” Grosz said.

His connection to NDSU has also remained a constant through one of his favorite traditions: cheering on the Bison.

While Grosz said there was a short hiatus from attending NDSU football games in the early 2000’s, a trip to California for a Vikings-49ers game brought him back to NDSU football in San Francisco of all places.

“We were going to look at the Redwoods, and all of a sudden, we found out NDSU was in town at UC Davis. So, we ended up stopping what we were doing, and we went,” he said. “I forgot how cool it was, because we drove on to UC Davis campus and saw the amount of NDSU fans at the tailgating with their tents. That moment right there got me and my family back into NDSU football.”

Since then, traveling to watch the Bison has become a family tradition. What once surprised Grosz – seeing fellow Bison fans turn out in large numbers at away games – now feels like a familiar reminder of the strength of NDSU’s alumni community.

As NDSU Football enters its next chapter in the Mountain West Conference, Grosz and his family are excited to cheer them on.

“From watching them win DII championships in the ‘80s to dominating Division 1 FCS for more than a decade, this move was long overdue,” he said. “My family (11 of us) traveled from various parts of the country to watch their first Mountain West game at the Air Force Academy. We are all very excited to see what they can do at the highest level of college football.”

For Grosz and other alumni now living across the U.S., the conference move also creates more opportunities to reconnect with fellow Bison and share the traditions that have connected generations of NDSU graduates.

“I think it's a renewed energy for everyone to get together,” he said.

Those connections are important to Grosz, who has maintained friendships from his college years, with former classmates joining him for football games and celebrating milestones such as weddings throughout the years.

From here, reach anywhere

Reflecting on his time at NDSU, Grosz is appreciative of everything the university provided for him and his family, highlighting how an NDSU degree is just as valuable as a degree from an Ivy League school. Grosz’s brother retired at 40 and his father at 51, both from successful careers that NDSU provided a strong start for. Grosz’s brother-in-law, Adam Adams, also an NDSU civil engineering alum, has led his own successful career in the engineering field.

To Grosz, their experiences reinforce a belief that an NDSU degree can open doors and prepare graduates to compete and succeed in their chosen professions.

“NDSU gives you everything you possibly need to be wildly successful, both professionally and personally,” he said.

See where an NDSU degree can take you by applying today or scheduling a visit.

Bison Across the Mountain West is an ongoing series to spotlight NDSU alumni who have already blazed their trails in the regions where Bison Football will be traveling for Mountain West Conference games. A new story will run the Thursday before every football in-conference away game, corresponding to the area of that week's opponent.

NDSU Marketing and Communications
Source: Rob Grosz
Writer: Meghan Arbegast
Photos: Rob Grosz