Civil, construction and environmental engineering faculty earn honors during yearly celebrations of achievement
Iowa State University’s College of Engineering held its annual Convocation on Sept. 7. James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Dean of Engineering Sarah Rajala opened the ceremony with a welcoming address and yearly update that included college achievements and upcoming goals for the 2017-2018 year.
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| Schaefer (pictured left) receives his professorship from Dean Rajala. Ikuma (pictured right) is also shown accepting her professorship from the dean. (Convocation photos by Bill Beach). | |
New named faculty positions
Civil, construction and environmental engineering faculty honored with new named faculty positions include Professors Vern Schaefer and Kejin Wang and Assistant Professor Kaoru Ikuma.
Schaefer received the James M. Hoover Professorship in Geotechnical Engineering. His research includes a focus on landslides and slope instability, ground improvement, numerical applications to geotechnical engineering and foundation engineering.
“It is a great honor to be named to the James M. Hoover Chair in Geotechnical Engineering,” Schaefer said. “I thank Craig and Terry Denny for their visionary support in honor of Jim Hoover. I will use the resources to further their goal of enhancing mentoring opportunities for students.”
Wang received the Grace Miller Wilson and T. Wilson Endowed Professorship in Engineering. She specializes in geotechnical/materials engineering with research interests in such topics as chemistry and micro-structures of concrete, Portland cement and supplementary cementitious materials and concrete pavements.
“It is a great honor to be a recipient of the Wilson Engineering Professorship,” Wang said. “I am so humbled to be chosen and much encouraged to continue my academic progress.”
Ikuma received the Black & Veatch Building a World of Difference Fellowship in Engineering. She specializes in environmental/water resources engineering with research focuses in several areas, including environmental microbiology and biotechnology, microbial ecology and sustainable water and wastewater treatment.
“It is truly an honor to receive this Black & Veatch Faculty Fellowship,” Ikuma said. “I intend to use this support to explore new and exciting research directions in environmental engineering that will involve both graduate and undergraduate students.”
Patents awarded
Chris Williams, a professor of geotechnical/materials engineering, was awarded two patents during Convocation. The first was a patent for thermoplastic elastomers via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of triglycerides. Williams was recognized along with Eric Cochran of the department of chemical and biological systems engineering.
Williams was awarded a second patent for asphalt materials containing bio-oil and methods for production thereof and bio-oil formulation as an asphalt substitute. Williams was recognized along with Robert Brown of the departments of mechanical engineering, chemical and biological engineering, and agricultural and biosystems engineering.
Faculty and staff awards
Senior Lecturer Brad Perkins received the Superior Engineering Teaching Award. Perkins specializes in construction engineering with years of industry experience.
35th Annual Civil Engineering Awards Banquet
Two faculty members where recognized at the 35th Annual Civil Engineering Awards Banquet, held on Sept. 14 at the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center in Ames. Associate Professor Jay Shen was awarded the Joseph C. and Elizabeth A. Anderlik Faculty Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Associate Professor David Jeong was awarded the Charles W. Schafer Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Service in Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering.
The banquet also included the conference of numerous student awards. John Hartwell, a senior consultant at SCS Engineers, was the guest speaker at the banquet.
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| Jay Shen (pictured left) accepts the Joseph C. and Elizabeth A. Anderlik Faculty Award. David Jeong (pictured right) accepts the Charles W. Schafer Faculty Award. ISU CCEE Don and Sharon Greenwood Endowed Department Chair Terry Wipf presented the awards. (Photos by Jean Dubberke). | |