in memoriam
New faculty
A
hmed E. Elbanna’s research focuses on developing computational and analytical models for complex phenomena, such as friction, adhesion and fracture, in multi-scale systems such as crustal faults and human bone. He holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering (2011) and an M.S. in applied mechanics (2006), both from the California Institute of Technology, and an M.S. in structural engineering (2005) and B.S. in civil engineering (2003) from Cairo University. Elbanna joined the faculty as an assistant professor in December 2012.
Elbanna
Eric Kerestes (BS 04, MS 06) died Aug. 14. He was 30. Kerestes was a district business solutions manager at Peter Kiewit and Sons and a student at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
1960s
George M. Hansen (BS 63) died July 22. He was 73. Hansen was the owner and operator of Morgan Excavating in Walnut, Ill.
M
ani Golparvar-Fard’s research interests include creating and developing computer vision, image processing and machine learning methods to automatically track building performance, monitor construction performance, perform condition assessment of existing infrastructure, and reconstruct 3D/4D models from static images as well as video streams. He earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering and an M.S. in computer science, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2010); his M.A.S. in civil engineering from the University of British Columbia (2006); and his B.S. and first M.S. in civil engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology (2002). He joined the faculty as an assistant professor in December 2012.
2000s
Golparvar-Fard
Marion C. Skouby (MS 62) died May 30. He was 80. Skouby was a geotechnical engineer and was recognized as an expert in construction dewatering. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea and was a member of Chi Epsilon, Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
1950s
M
egan Konar’s research focuses on how water and food systems are linked through international trade. She is interested in the potential for international Konar trade to buffer climate and socio-economic shocks. Konar holds a Ph.D. (2012) and M.S. (2009) in civil and environmental engineering from Princeton University, an M.S. in water science, policy and management from the University of Oxford (2005), and a B.S. in conservation and resource studies from the University of California at Berkeley (2002). Currently a postdoctoral researcher in CEE, she will join the faculty as an assistant professor in August 2013.
Leonard E. Olson (BS 54) died March 12. He was 79. Karel Puffer (MS 58) died April 5. He was 86. Robert E. Woods (BS 58) died July 20. He was 76. Woods worked with the Indiana Department of Transportation for 40 years.
1940s Fall job fair lunch sponsors We thank the following companies for sponsoring lunch at the fall job fair. Silver Civiltech Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. Bronze Bury and Partners Clayco Manhard Consulting Ltd. The Walsh Group
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Correction: One of our spring lunch sponsors, Ciorba Group, was misidentified in the summer issue. We are grateful to Ciorba for being a Bronze sponsor and regret the error.
Gene L. Donner (BS 47) died July 17, 2011. He was 86. Dale E. Francis (BS 49) died June 30. He was 86. Francis was the former owner of Francis Associates civil engineering firm of Paris, Ill., founded in 1963. A former City of Paris mayor, he was instrumental in the founding of the Edgar County Homeless Organization and in the implementation of Paris’ Music in the Park program. All deaths occurred in 2012 unless otherwise noted. CEE at Illinois—Winter 2013 29