ISU CCEE NEWS & UPDATES FOR CIVIL, CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING ALUMNI
FALL 2019 IN THIS ISSUE: MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR; UPCOMING CCEE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS; CCEE BY THE NUMBERS; STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS; FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS; UPCOMING INDUSTRY ADIVSORY COUNCIL & CCEE GOLD EVENTS
Hello, fellow alumni! My first year as department chair for Iowa State University’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering (ISU CCEE) has come to an end. I am now more proud and honored to be chair of this great department and to be a part of this great institution. This past year, I have traveled to many places meeting young alums, seasoned alums, alums in industry and alums in academia. I’ve had the opportunity to chat with you at Our Town events and discuss ideas with you at advisory meetings. I’ve seen excitement for our department, its education and research mission. I’ve also seen a passionate interest in giving back to ISU CCEE. In 2021, we will celebrate our sesquicentennial and the 50th anniversary of Town Engineering. Leading up to the 150th celebration, we will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Iowa State Construction Engineering Program in 2020. Placed so closely together, these three celebrations provide an opportunity for a year-long celebration. Starting in the fall of 2020 and running through the fall of 2021, we will have networking events, industry tours and a wealth of other alumni gatherings. We will end with a big blowout on Sept. 18, 2021, including inductions into our ISU CCEE Hall of Fame. You can find more details,
including our 150th website, below. Follow us on social media (@isuccee on Facebook, Twitter and now Instagram and Snapchat) for throwbacks to the yesteryears of ISU CCEE. We will be delving into our history, and we want you to join us! If you have a historical point or memory you would like to share with us, or people you feel we should consider as distinguished alumni, please email your memories and names to ISU CCEE Outreach Coordinator Jean Dubberke at jeand@iastate.edu. You’ll also notice that we’ve made changes to this publication. In addition to an alumni print newsletter in the fall, there will be an alumni electronic newsletter in the spring. Are you working on an interesting project, working overseas or volunteering your skills in your local community? We are always on the lookout for interesting alumni stories. Please send them to us (you can send ideas about your fellow alumni as well). Finally, I want to thank our dedicated alums, like yourself, advisory councils, industry partners, faculty and staff for the hard work and dedication. I look forward to another year serving ISU CCEE and Iowa State University! –David H. Sanders, Greenwood Department Chair and Professor in Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Direct questions regarding this publication to: Kate Tindall, Editor Phone: 515-294-1049 Email: ktindall@iastate.edu Website: ccee.iastate.edu Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, Hotline: 515-294-1222, email eooffice@ iastate.edu.
Visit www.ccee.iastate.edu/150 for upcoming alumni and industry events
Visit www.isuf.info/ccee to give
Copyright © 2019, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.
In his appendix to former-Chair Almon Fuller’s 1956 book “A History of Civil Engineering at Iowa State College,” then-Chair Lowell Stewart noted the extreme need for professional engineers, that “employers took everyone in sight and clamored for more.” Nearly a century and a half later, ISU CCEE alumni continue to meet the challenges of changing infrastructure and expanding populations. Employers still clamor for the problem-solving skills that our alumni learn here at Iowa State University. In 2021, ISU will celebrate 150 years of educating the nation’s top engineers. This celebration will be coupled with the 60th anniversary of the Iowa State Construction Engineering Program and the 50th anniversary of the opening of Town Engineering Building. You knew that our department was unique when you chose us for your education. Once more, it’s your turn to be a part of the legacy …
Construction of Town Engineering Building, 1967-1973.
Get in on the action!
If you are interested in sesquicentennial volunteer opportunities or have alumni story ideas to share, contact ISU CCEE Outreach Coordinator Jean Dubberke by emailing jeand@iastate.edu or by calling 515-294-5105
Current-day student conducts research in one of Town Engineering Building’s high-bay structures laboratories.
2 0 1 8 - 1 9 B Y THE NUMBERS
34 9.4
tenure-track faculty
$17M 20% in externally-funded research
58% increase from FY2015
of student population identifies as women/minorities
15% increase from FY2015
term faculty
1013 undergraduate students
82
masters students
113 doctoral candidates
88% increase from FY2015
15 faculty earned a total of 17 faculty awards from institutional, national or international awarding committees
ISU civil engineering graduate program tied for 36th overall and tied for 23rd among public institutions in U.S. News and World Report rankings
74% placement rate for doctoral civil engineers at graduation
$60,673-$64,480 average
starting salary for undergraduates at graduation
95% placement rate for
undergraduate construction engineers at graduation and 78% placement rate for undergraduate civil engineers at graduation
89% of civil engineering B.S. graduates and 99% of construction
engineering B.S. graduates complete at least one co-op or internship prior to graduation
In civil engineering, at schools whose highest degree is a doctorate, Iowa State’s undergraduate program is tied for 27th overall, 18th among public institutions (Sept. 2018)
S T U D E N T & GR OUP AWARDS
(MAY 2018 - APRIL 2019)
May 2018
September 2018
November 2018
Civil and construction engineering students compete in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2018 Collegiate Wind Competition
Cyclone Energy brings home its fifth firstplace finish in the Electri International/NECA Green Energy Challenge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Iowa State University’s Design-Build Institute of America Student Chapter earns first place at the Design-Build Institute of America Student Competition in New Orleans, Louisiana
August 2018
October 2018
November 2018
Members of Iowa State University’s Transportation Student Association win the 2018 Institute of Transportation Engineers Midwestern District Traffic Bowl
Four student teams compete in the Associated Schools of Construction Region 4 Competition in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and place first in commercial new construction, second in design-build and heavy-highway, and third in specialty
As one of their two yearly trips, members of ISU Associated General Contractors travel to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and volunteer for local housing projects
1,2,3
February 2019
April 2019
April 2019
Student chapters of Associated General Contractors, Transportation Student Association and American Society of Civil Engineers are recognized with honors at the 2019 Engineers’ Week Awards Banquet
Construction engineering students in ISU’s Associated General Contractors chapter compete in the Appalachian Service Project’s Race to Build in Johnson City, Tennessee, receiving second place
ISU CCEE Concrete Canoe competition team places 6th at its Midwest regional competition
March 2019 ISU CCEE Steel Bridge competition team competes at South Dakota State University and achieves its fastest construction time of 8 minutes 46 seconds
April 2019 Water Environment Federation ISU Student Chapter competes in the Central States Water Environment Association Student Design Competition in Madison, Wisconsin
April 2019
March 2019
Transportation engineering graduate student Zahra Khalilzadeh is on a team that places second in the Syngenta 2019 Crop Challenge, held in Austin, Texas
ISU CCEE’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers sends 10 members to Amarillo, Texas, to volunteer with Amarillo Habitat for Humanity
April 2019 April 2019 Doctoral candidate Bahar Bazargani is one of two women to receive the president’s scholarship from the regional chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar International
Civil engineering undergraduate Carissa Moyna is named a 2019 Udall Scholar
Sleep tight, don’t let the bugs bite A recent study shows that requiring landlords to disclose bedbugs cuts infestations and creates long-term savings. CCEE Associate Professor Chris Rehmann was part of a research team that developed a mathematical model to evaluate disclosure policies. The team found disclosure policies can lead to modest, short-term costs to landlords, but ultimately result in savings for both landlords and tenants. Bedbugs have re-emerged as a worldwide problem over the past 20 years, the researchers wrote. New York City, in fact, estimates annual prevalence of bedbug infestations is 12 percent in some neighborhoods. The study’s findings were published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (which is funded by the National Science Foundation) was the primary supporter of the study.
To the ends of the earth: exploring options during an arctic housing crisis The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development found in 2017 that Alaska Natives’ housing conditions are significantly less developed and more overcrowded than other U.S. housing. Now, dramatic climate change in the Arctic threatens to create new stresses and exacerbate old ones for these at-risk communities. In a two-year study, CCEE Assistant Professor Cristina Poleacovschi and a group of interdisciplinary researchers will examine social vulnerabilities, substandard housing, households’ susceptibility toward biophysical changes and substandard social health conditions in Arctic communities. The study is funded in part by the National Science Foundation’s Navigating the New Arctic Program. One goal is to influence programs and policies of resiliency and sustainability. The researchers will also organize workshops in Alaska Native communities to share their discoveries.
Friction and function: civil engineering researcher looks to improve safety on the road For Omar Smadi, a CCEE associate professor, the interaction between tires and pavement surfaces shares a fascinating dynamic that can lower the possibility of car accidents. “Results from this research will provide guidance to transportation agencies on how to identify and address friction issues on the road network,” Smadi said. “Friction treatments have been implemented in Iowa and other states, and it shows a significant reduction in number of crashes.” Smadi, who works alongside Ahmad Alhasan, an associate scientist for Iowa State’s Institute for Transportation, is looking to standardize procedures to test pavement friction at a network level while better understanding friction demand. The research is funded in part by the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Midwest Transportation Center.
Overtopped, breached and scoured: studying failed levees, researching potential solutions Sand boils, crest depressions and sink holes. Under seepage. Slope failure. Surface erosion. A breach that wasn’t repaired after the last flood. It’s all in a 2016 report about levee performance and damage in Illinois and Missouri after December 2015 flooding along the Illinois, Sangamon and Mississippi Rivers. A study team of engineers – most of them from universities – visited the flooded areas “to observe and document the performance of levees during and following the flood event.” Cassandra Rutherford, a CCEE assistant professor, has inspected failed levees along Midwestern rivers. And now she’s working with other engineers to develop technologies that could improve levee performance. “The biggest issue is that when we have a lot of annual flooding, it’s no longer a 50-year event,” Rutherford said. “We need to look at the levees – we need to assess their condition and adequacy.” Rutherford co-led a 2016 report about levee performance and damage in Illinois and Missouri after December 2015 flooding. The study was the work of the Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance Association, with support from the National Science Foundation. Projects currently underway include developing technologies that use electricity to inspect levees for internal defects and using “biocementation” to strengthen the soil surface of earthen levees.
Creating faster technologies for high-rate systems We don’t yet drive hypersonic vehicles, but someday these fast-moving modes of transportation may be one more engineering innovation improved by the work of Simon Laflamme. New technologies and algorithms enable quicker decision making for high-rate engineering systems that will improve safety mechanisms and performance. For Laflamme, an associate professor of CCEE, the research will better protect the integrity of structures. “These technologies and algorithms would enable the integration of mitigation and control systems,” Laflamme said. “This would make these high-rate systems safer and improve their performance.” The next step is demonstrating the capabilities of the new technology. In the future, Laflamme’s work could be utilized in high-tech inventions like hypersonic vehicles. Laflamme’s research is in close collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate and is sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
ISU Construction Engineering Industry Advisory Council Update
ISU Civil Engineering External Advisory Council
The Construction Engineering Industry Advisory Council (IAC) continues our work in support of the ConE program through five strategic initiatives: fundraising, benchmark and differentiation, research, curriculum and instruction advancement, and governance. Work initiatives are established through a joint strategic planning effort on the part of the IAC Executive Committee and faculty/departmental leadership. Our next strategy workshop is scheduled for Jan. 2020. Work groups assigned to each initiative are comprised of IAC members and faculty liaisons who drive progress between IAC semi-annual meetings. In addition, efforts are underway as we prepare to celebrate the 50th, 60th, and 150th anniversaries of Town Engineering, the ISU Construction Engineering Program, and the ISU Civil Engineering Program, respectively. 2019 brings several departmental transitions, including the retirement of Larry Cormicle after 17 years. We offer our sincere thanks and gratitude and wish him the very best! -Mark Guetzko (B.S. construction engineering ‘84)
As the new council chair, I am pleased that this council continues to be your voice for departmental improvement. I also want to thank former-Chair Scott Werner for his leadership. As previous members step down based on recently-adopted term limits, we are building a roster that provides diversity. If ever you want to provide input, do not hesitate to reach out to any of the current council members (web page found below). I am pleased to report that David Sanders has fully acclimated to his role as department chair. High on David’s list is planning for current and future space needs. He would tell you it is a challenge, but a good problem to have as we grow as a department. David has also organized planning efforts for the 150th anniversary of civil engineering at Iowa State. You will be hearing more as plans unfold. -Ben Biller (B.S. civil engineering ‘81, M.S. civil engineering ‘82)
Want to connect with your council?
Visit www.ccee.iastate.edu/industry-advisory-councils/
ISU CCEE Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) ISU CCEE GOLD is a group of alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years. Members provide networking opportunities to fellow alumni and mentoring to current students. The group’s goal is to create a network of alumni who are actively engaged with ISU CCEE students, faculty and staff. If you are interested in joining or starting you own GOLD chapter in your area, email ISU CCEE Outreach Coordinator Jean Dubberke at jeand@iastate.edu or call 515-294-5105.
Alumni Homecoming Awards These awards were bestowed during Iowa State University’s 2019 homecoming festivities Craig Denny (’71 B.S. civil engineering, ’73 M.S. civil engineering) - Alumni Medal Ken Bonus (‘85 B.S. construction engineering) - Alumni Service Max Porter (’65 B.S. civil engineering, ’68 M.S. civil engineering, ‘74 Ph.D. civil engineering) – Alumni Merit
Giving In the spring of 2020, engineering students will walk into the newly-built Student Innovation Center for the first time. Located between Hoover and Sweeney Halls, the Student Innovation Center is a multidisciplinary collaborative space where tomorrow’s engineers will learn, design, collaborate, fabricate, make and innovate. At date of publication, 40% of this project has been paid for by Iowa State alumni. Without you, projects like this would be impossible. With your support, generations of students will experience a new, immersive educational experience. Gifts like these put the innovations of tomorrow within our students’ reach today. It’s for this reason that we need your help...
“I am grateful to donors for contributing to and being a part of my story. Iowa State has been instrumental in helping me figure out what I want my future to look like. Because of my studies and experiences at college, I have found my purpose. I am truly grateful for donors’ generosity.” - Paige Jewell, CCEE senior
Departmental Fundraising
Fundraising Support Facility Faculty Program Student
The graphic shows where your fiscal year 2019 giving has an impact. Faculty support is used for students, travel and program enhancement, as examples.
Help students explore their potential. Be a part of the legacy of ISU CCEE and give today. At www.isuf.info/ccee, you can specify the amount of your gift and note the cause you would like to support. Honor someone with your gift by stating that your gift is given in honor or in memory of an individual or group. Want to discuss your gift with one of our ISU Foundation representatives? Contact Anna Callaway, Iowa State Foundation College of Engineering Associate Director of Development, by emailing callaway@foundation.iastate.edu or calling 515-294-7118. www.isuf.info/ccee
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering