Civil Engineering Alumni Glen “Legend” Van Peski Shares Life Lessons with CSUN
On March 7th, the College of Engineering & Computer Science alongside the College of Science & Math welcomed renowned civil engineer and entrepreneur Glen Van Peski for an inspiring hour-long presentation in Chaparral Hall. Students and faculty, including Dean Toutanji and Dean Stinner, gathered to hear Van Peski share insights from his four decades of professional experience and personal adventures.
Known by the trail name “Legend” in the backpacking community, Van Peski discussed his journey from civil engineer to accidental founder of Gossamer Gear, a company that revolutionized ultralight backpacking equipment. His innovative designs have been featured in prestigious publications including Backpacker, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, and the New York Times.
During his talk, Van Peski emphasized his life philosophy of humility, generosity, service, and gratitude. He connected his engineering background to his approach to business and life, showing how problem-solving skills transfer across different domains.
For those interested in learning more about Van Peski’s personal story and life lessons, please check out his book through the link below.