January 14, 2025

DeWitt Clinton University

Office of Human Resources
500 College Hill
Clinton, IA 52732
Dear Hiring Committee,

I am writing to apply for the open tenure-track faculty position in engineering at DeWitt
Clinton University. I am an excellent candidate for this position, showcased by a strong
teaching and advising record, success in research and scholarly activities, and a diverse
environmental engineering background.
In the classroom I will immediately provide high level instruction to DeWitt Clinton
engineering students by building upon a strong 9 year track record, which was recently
rewarded with promotion to Associate Professor. Of the 70 classes that I have led over this
time period, only six classes were ranked lower than 4.0 on a 5.0 scale (Student course
evaluation data provided in Teaching Effectiveness Statement). No classes were ranked below
4.0 since the fall of 2013. This past year I was also recognized by Trine University students
and faculty by winning the McKetta Excellence in Teaching Award in Engineering. I am well
prepared to teach any environmental engineering course, as I have taught nearly every
possible subject within the field. I am also well prepared to teach several other courses
within the DeWitt Clinton Civil Engineering curriculum, including Statics, Introduction to
Civil Engineering and Design, Fluid Mechanics, and Senior Design Projects I and II. From the
variety of classes taught at Trine, it should be clear that I am a team player and I will
contribute wherever needed. Further, most classes are well developed and will require
minimal class preparation.

In order to develop a program of scholarly activity that engages students, I will draw on
previous research experience and my professional network. Research success at Washington
State University, including acquisition of competitive national and regional grants as a
Principal Investigator, will be used as a foundation to develop research opportunities for
undergraduate students in areas of biological treatment, environmental remediation, water
quality assessment, and environmental microbiology. My expertise in environmental
microbiology is a good fit for DeWitt Clinton University, where easy collaborations will be
developed with current civil engineering faculty studying environmental problems.
Opportunities for student projects in the areas of sustainability, renewable energy, and
global impacts will likely be driven by partnerships with the myriad of companies present in
Eastern Iowa. As Clinton, IA is my hometown, many friends and relatives can be called upon
to develop relationships with local engineering firms and companies.
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A position in Clinton, IA is an ideal location for my family and me, as my parents and siblings
still live there. The grandparents and our toddler would love to see each other much more
frequently; the current 6 hour drive is tough for everyone. My wife is also a registered
environmental engineering P.E. with a Masters degree. She has taught several classes and
could contribute if needed at DeWitt Clinton University.
I have attached all of the required documents in pdf form. If additional information is needed,
please contact me by email at jeremyrentz@earthacres.com or by phone at 260.867.5309
(cell). Thank you for consideration and I look forward to hearing from DeWitt Clinton
University.
Sincerely,

Jeremy A. Rentz, PhD

Associate Professor
Reiners Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Trine University
One University Avenue
Anogla, IN 46703
jeremyrentz@earthacres.com
260.867.5309 (cell)