September/October 2001
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ADDED SEPTEMBER 13, 2001:
AISC Task Force to Investigate World Trade Center Collapse
Chicago, IL - September 12, 2001 - The American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. (AISC) has contacted FEMA and the leading structural engineering associations and is forming a special task force to investigate the structural collapses of the World Trade Center buildings resulting from the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
AISC is the technical institute responsible for developing and maintaining the standards for design and construction of steel buildings in the United States. Information developed by this task force will enable AISC to determine if modifications are needed in existing standards.
"AISC strives to create a steel building specification that makes use of the latest available design data and construction technology," said Nestor R. Iwankiw, AISC's Vice President of Engineering and Research. "The special task force of nationally recognized experts will investigate and determine the various factors that contributed to the collapses and make recommendations to AISC's Specification, Blast and Fire Committees."
Much speculation is currently underway about the cause of the collapses. Most engineers currently believe the collapses occurred as a result of a combination of extraordinary events, including the initial aircraft impacts and explosions, which destroyed part of the structure, and the subsequent extreme fire, which progressively weakened the remaining structure. The ensuing collapses may have occurred when the weight of the buildings above the points of impact exceeded the reduced load carrying capacity of the remaining structure. It is believed that the collapse of the 47-story building adjacent to the twin towers was caused by a combination of its foundations and structure being weakened by the collapsing twin towers and fire.
"We're saddened about this terrible disaster and the loss of life," said AISC President H. Louis Gurthet, P.E. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families."
2001-2002 WSE officers, trustees, commissioners
The Western Society of Engineers has elected its new officers, board of direction trustees, and commissioners to the Washington Award Commission:
Officers:
- President
Jim Lindell, Managing Partner and Director, MWH Global, Inc.
- First Vice President
Steve Palac, Partner, Greeley and Hansen
- Second Vice President
Steve Susina, Senior Business Manager of the Digital Systems Division, Tellabs, Inc.
- Treasurer
Myra Burgess, Director of Supply Management, Exelon Corporation
Trustees 2001-2004 Term
- Christopher Burke, President, Christopher Burke & Associates
- Dennis DeMoss, Partner, Sargent & Lundy
- Dennis Lamont, President, Weldy-Lamont Associates
- Don Wittmer, Project Engineer, HNTB Corporation
Washington Award Commission
2001-2004 Term
- John Breitsameter, Partner, Civiltech, Inc.
- Ray Criddle, Area Manager, Broadcast Services, SBC
- Rob Pullen, Vice President, Tellabs, Inc.
- Thomas J. Sullivan, Managing Partner, Greeley and Hansen
- Marshall Suloway, Senior Vice President, CTE Engineers, Inc.
The officers, trustees, and commissioners will be installed at Western Society�s annual meeting on September 6. See the calendar for details and reservation information.
Chanute Centennial Series
The 2001 Chicagoland Engineering Forum luncheon program will be dedicated to celebrating the centennial of the Octave Chanute Award. Luncheon topics will feature his life, work, and interests (such as aviation) and updates of Award-winning papers from the past 15 years. The programs will be identified as part of the Chanute Centennial Luncheon Series.
The September 26 luncheon will be about internet connectivity and will feature Vinn Beigh, Senior Networking Testing Engineer for 21st Century/RCN, winner of the 1998 Octave Chanute Award for his paper titled �Always On�ISDN.� The speaker for October 31 will be Simine Short, a scientist with Argonne Laboratory, who will speak on �The Life and Times of Octave Chanute.� Short, who is writing a book about Chanute, is the Chair, Landmark of Soaring, National Soaring Museum. Check the calendar for details.
WSE�s annual golf outing
Western Society�s 24th Annual Golf Tournament was a huge success. The outing, which was sold out weeks before the event, was held at Itasca Country Club on July 23. Even the half hour rain delay was unable to spoil the fun. The recipient of the Mel Noel Low Net Foursome award went to Kenny Mantra Industrial Services for the second year in a row.
The Western Society of Engineers would like to thank the Itasca Country Club for helping make the day such a success. And we wish to thank the following sponsors:
Hole Sponsors
- Royal American Bank
- CTE Engineers, Inc.
- Greeley & Hansen
- Brian Berg & Associates, Ltd.
- HNTB Corporation
- Patrick Engineering, Inc.
- ComEd
- Qvation, Inc.
- Graef Anhalt Schloemer & Associates, Inc.
- Kenny Construction Co.
- CTE Engineers, Inc.
- Sargent & Lundy, LLC
- Schleede-Hampton Associates, Inc.
- Kenny Manta Industrial Services
- Harry O. Hefter - Associates, Inc.
Longest Drive on the Fairway, Hole #16
Alvord Burdick & Howson
Betting on the Green Hole # 17
P & I Consulting, Ltd.
Closest to the Pin on Drive, Par 3, Hole #4
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Closest to the Pin on Drive, Par 3, Hole #6
Hobbs Group/AVA Insurance Agency
Raffle prize
- Set of Irons�Cushing & Co.
- Two sets of 4 White Sox box tickets with parking pass�ComEd
- Two Cubs box seats�Prinmar Corporation
- $100 gift certificate�Itasca Country Club pro shop
- Brunch gift certificates�Itasca Country Club
- $100�P & I Consulting, Ltd.
- Two gift certificates�Cavanaugh�s Restaurant
Dinner Sponsor
Diversified Insurance Group
Lunch sponsor
Civiltech Engineering, Inc.
Samuel Adams Brewery
Last, but not least, the WSE Golf Committee deserves a huge round of golf applause for putting on an outstanding outing:
- Ed Peterson, ComEd/United Way, Chair
- John Breitsameter, Civiltech, Inc.
- Mike Duff, Cushing & Company
- Larry Feder, P & I Consulting, Ltd.
- Ron Havel, Patrick Engineering, Inc.
- Bob Henehan
- Mark Hine, Civiltech, Inc.
- Peter Ross, Teng & Associates, Inc.
- Verneta Simon, US EPA Region V
Is dropping your WSE membership safe?
Remember last year when the economy was booming? Belonging to a professional organization may not have seemed so important then. What about now?
Today�s economy with its uncertain job market is one of the best reasons to renew your WSE membership. If you have resigned, rejoin. If you�ve never been a member, go online and sign up now. Here are the most compelling reasons to be a member:
- You will have up-to-date information about money, salaries, benefits in your field. You must have accurate information about the current market for your skills.
- You will avoid a career ambush. Making a bad job choice (with possible repercussions for your references), followed by regret and another job hunt, are blunders you can sidestep. How? Network, network, network. Where? At WSE events.
- You can keep abreast of important developments and industry trends in all engineering disciplines by attending Society programs and reading Midwest Engineer. This will help you maintain your technical and/or managerial edge.
- You can develop leadership and team-building skills by participating in society luncheon programs, Young Engineers Forum, and round tables.
- You can meet and build relationships with others in the Chicago engineering community�always a plus when looking for a new job or for new clients.
For information about membership in the Western Society of Engineers, call Maggie White, Executive Director, 312/ 913-1730 or click on [email protected].
Harza merger
Harza Engineering Company and Montgomery Watson, Inc. have completed the previously announced merger of the two international consulting firms. The newly merged organization, renamed MWH Global, Inc. has more than 5,500 employees in 30 countries around the world.
Montgomery Watson, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States and number 17 on Engineering News Record�s annual list of 500 top design firms, specializes in water, wastewater and environmental infrastructure design, construction, finance, operations, and maintenance. Privately held Harza, ranked on the Engineering News Record�s Top 20 list of Water and number 14 in Power for the year 2001, commands significant global market positions in a variety of environmental sectors of the industry.
Founded in 1920 by Leroy Harza, Harza Engineering Company has maintained an excellent reputation in a wide range of engineering and environmental services but is particularly renowned for its strength in energy-related services. Leroy Harza was considered a pioneer in engineering for hydropower development; in fact, Engineering News Record named Harza �the dean of American hydraulic engineers.� Harza�s ongoing interest in professional support and growth is reflected in its participation in Western Society; James E. Lindell of Harza is the 2001-2002 president of Western Society of Engineers.
MWH Global, Inc., is a private, employee-owned firm that provides engineering design and remediation, construction, procurement, program management, and technology solutions for the environmental, land, water, wastewater, energy, and power markets of the Americas, Europe, Middle East, India, Asia, and the Pacific Rim.
Graef Anhalt Schloemer announces new associates
Graef Anhalt Schloemer announces and congratulates its new associates for 2001:
- James Braun, P.E., design engineer
- Kevin Hagen, P.E., transportation team market leader
- John Kannall, P.E., project engineer
- Matthew Smith, P.E., structural project engineer
- Roy Stollenwerk, P.E., transportation engineer
- Mary Beth Walsh, P.E., design engineer
Earth Tech acquires companies
Earth Tech has acquired Jones Environmental, Ltd., a private Irish company that specializes in water and wastewater systems. Jones Environmental has offices in Dublin, Newry, and Cork. According to Earth Tech President Diane C. Creel, Ireland possesses both the resources and the need for major water and wastewater improvements.
Earth Tech has also acquired the Environmental Division of Cydsa S.A. de C.V., a division of the Cydsa Group in Monterrey, Mexico. The acquisition includes Atlatec S.A. de C.V., the operating company for Cydsa�s environmental unit. Atlatec is the leading provider of water treatment services to the refinery industry as well as a key player in the industrial and municipal water treatment markets and a rapidly growing presence in the water distribution market.
STS hires project engineer
STS Consultants, Ltd., announces the appointment of Kevin R. Kasprzak, E.I.T., to the position of project engineer. Kasprzak�s areas of expertise include hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality modeling as well as GIS applications in water resources. Kasprzak holds both master of sciences and bachelor of sciences degrees in agricultural engineering from Texas A&M University.
American Society of Civil Engineers names civil engineering monument
The American Society of Civil Engineers has named the Chicago Wastewater System a millennium monument. The Wastewater System is the fifth of ten projects to receive this distinction. The award will be conferred in ceremonies on September 19 in Chicago at a location to be determined.
National Engineers Week needs volunteers
The National Engineers Week Committee needs volunteer engineers from every field to give some of their time this fall and winter to introduce local young people at middle schools across the nation to a career in engineering through the National Engineers Week Future City Competition�. Since its founding in 1992, this educational program has made engineering come alive for tens of thousands of students. This year the regional competition will be on Saturday, January 26, 2002, at the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus.
Regional first place teams (including the engineer mentor) receive a free trip to Washington DC for the national finals during National Engineers Week. The national championship team (three students, teacher, engineering mentor) receives a free trip to U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. The second-place team wins $2,000 for their school�s technology program, and the third-place team receives a $1,000 scholarship for the school technology curriculum. Last year�s national competition was won by St. Barnabas Catholic School in Chicago.
Don Wittmer, a civil engineer with HNTB, heads up the Chicago Future City Competition, and he feels that the competition, �besides reaching young people...also gives engineers a chance to share their story with the larger public. It gives us a good image.�
For more information on becoming a volunteer mentor, contact Don Wittmer at 312/930-9119 or at [email protected]. For information about the national competition, contact Carol Rieg at 301/977-6582, via e-mail at [email protected], or visit www.futurecity.org. Interested engineers will be put in touch with their area�s regional coordinator.
Physical science fellowships
The National Physical Science Consortium offers fellowships in the physical sciences and related engineering fields for underrepresented minority and female students. Each fellowship is worth from $156,000 to $200,000, depending on which university a student attends. This is a full-time study, six-year, renewable, doctoral track program offering paid tuition and fees plus a substantial stipend for each academic year at nationally recognized Ph.D. granting colleges and universities throughout the United States, as well as paid summer employment and technical experience for at least two years. Fields of study include chemical, computer, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering. Candidates should apply at the beginning of their senior year or within the first year of a graduate program destined for a doctoral degree. Returning students should apply one year prior to the start of their program. Application deadline is November 5, 2001. For more information, visit http://www.npsc.org.
Advanced degree=big bucks
The Census Bureau has placed a value on education levels, and it pays big bucks to receive an advanced degree. For more information, click on www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/fld-trn.html.
Archived Society News
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