Professor Nowack Retiring after 60 Years of Teaching
PB, as he is known to many, will retire in May 2008. He started teaching at Clemson in 1947 and has taught multiple generations of the same family. In 1999, PB was awarded the honorary doctorate in recognition for his service to students and the university. Dr. Nowack also holds the distinction of being an Alumni Professor, a title held by only a few.
Alumni Receives AWWA Award
One of our alumni and Advisory Board member, Frank Eskridge, Jr. received the AWWA George Warren Fuller Award. The award "is given for distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of the sound engineering skill, the brilliant diplomatic talent, and the constructive leadership." He is the Manager of Engineering and Operations at the Greenville Water System in Greenville, SC. The award was presented at the AWWA's Annual Conference and Exposition in Toronto on June 27, 2007.
The Clemson University Civil Engineering Department is Ranked 14th
The Clemson University Civil Engineering Department was ranked among the top 20 undergraduate civil engineering programs at public universities. According to the US News & World Report, the department is ranked #14 among civil engineering departments in public universities that offer a doctoral program. This ranking is based on the opinion of engineering deans and senior faculty in engineering colleges throughout the country.
Student Wins National Competition in Transportation
Mark Sorrell, a recent graduate of Clemson Civil Engineering Transportation Program, received 1st place in the Philip E. Rollhaus, Jr. Highway Safety Essay Contest sponsored by Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. (a Quixote Corporation Company). Mark's paper entitled, "Legal Liability of Vehicle Design Compatibility with Roadside Safety Hardware" was one of over 40 papers submitted by graduate students across the country. It appears that the 1st place vote was unanimous - a first in the history of the competition. Mark will receive a $3,000 award and his paper will be published in World Highways Magazine. The sponsoring professor, Dr. Jennifer Ogle, also receives a $1,000 award. A plaque will be presented to Mark at an upcoming event in SC (TBD). Congratulations Mark and Dr. Ogle.
Endowment Established
Mr. Michael N. Byrd (BSCE, 1979; MSCE 1983) established a Civil Engineering Department endowment to support the Department's Strategic Plan. Mr. Byrd is the Executive Vice-President of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. headquartered in Raleigh, NC. Mr. Byrd is a member of the Civil Engineering Department Advisory Board (2004-2006 term). He made the announcement at the CE Department Advisory Board meeting on April 14, 2006. The Endowment is open to contributions from alumni and friends of the Department. Contributions should specifically mention "The Civil Engineering Department Unrestricted Endowment."
Clemson ITE Student Chapter Wins the 2006 Outstanding Student Chapter Award
The Clemson University Student Chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) capped a stellar year by being selected as the 2006 Outstanding Student Chapter recipient. Clemson's student chapter was recognized for its outstanding chapter organization, activities and efforts to foster the close association of students with practicing professionals. There are over 120 ITE student chapters internationally. The award was presented at the ITE 2006 Annual Meeting and Exhibit, held August 6-9, 2006 in Milwaukee, WI. Student Chapter Past-President James Mattox and Faculty Advisor Wayne Sarasua were in attendance to receive the award on the Chapter's behalf.
Clemson Student Concrete Canoe Team Places 3rd at Nationals
About 20 students attended the National Concrete Canoe Competition held at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma from June 15 to 18, 2006. The Clemson Concrete Canoe Team (3CT) placed third in the overall competition. The ranking is based on a presentation, technical report, final product and endurance and sprint races. The canoe this year was called "Take it for Granit" and included a tiger paw lit with fiber optics. For placing third, Clemson will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Read about it from ASCE
Dr. Russell H. Brown Named Fellow of The Masonry Society
The Masonry Society's Board of Directors voted to name Dr. Russell H. Brown, professor of Civil Engineering as an Honorary Member of the Society. This is the highest Award of the TMS and is made in recognition of Dr. Brown's lifetime commitment and contributions to the Society. Dr. Brown is a founding member of TMS, served as a director on TMS' first Board, Director for the Board, Chairman of the Education Committee, and chair of the 9th North American Masonry Conference, among many others. Dr. Brown received the President's Award in 2003, and was named a Fellow of TMS in 2005. Read about it from TMS
Clemson Student Steel Bridge Team Places 6th at Nationals
About 20 students competed in the AISC/ASCE National Student Steel Bridge Competition that was held in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 26-27, 2006. The competition included 45 teams that qualified based upon their performance at 18 regional competitions. Each year the team must design and fabricate a new bridge. Although the desire is to have a light, stiff bridge, it must have the strength to support 2500 pounds of load. The performance is quantified by determining the "cost" of the bridge which is based on two major factors: materials (structural efficiency) and construction economy. The structural efficiency cost is function of actual bridge weight and vertical stiffness. The construction economy cost is a function of the actual time required to assemble the bridge. This year the team also earned plaques for their third place finish in stiffness, third place finish in construction speed and a second place in construction economy. Go to SBT web site
Clemson ITE Student Chapter Wins the ITE Southern District Traffic Bowl
Clemson ITE Student Chapter members competed in the Traffic Bowl, which is the 2006 William H. Temple Scholarship Challenge, a Jeopardy-style team competition. To bring home first prize and a $3,000 scholarship, the students defeated teams from Tennessee, North Carolina and Mississippi. The competition included an audience of more than 200 transportation professionals who attended the conference. Clemson also walked away with the Outstanding Student Chapter Award for activities during the last year. Graduate Jae Mattox won the Outstanding Student Paper Award. The chapter will now go on for consideration in the international competition. Read the news brief
Clemson ASCE Student Chapter Wins the Carolinas Conference. Read the news brief