The Fall, 2006 semester is starting with some interesting challenges for the Department of Civil Engineering. First, we are trying an experimental approach to senior design to address some of the concerns raised by ABET during their last review. We are bringing in a series of practitioners, alumni, and friends of the department to address the class on various aspects of the design process – starting with the request for proposals and including key topics such as ethics, client relationships, etc, as well as technical content. The class this semester is working on the design for a new engineering building – a real world problem, as it is identified in the long-range campus master plan. A committee of Drs. Arellano, Camp, Ivey, and Palazolo are heading this effort.

Second, we are attempting to balance our responsibilities with our teaching, research, and service activities. Brain Waldron, formally a Research Professor in the Groundwater Institute, has joined the CE faculty. He is working on a $1 million research project funded by a Congressional Earmark. We are also in the process of completing the required strategic plan to receive the $7 million that Congress approved to establish a University Transportation Center. In addition, Dr. Arellano has received $300,000 in funding for a Geotechnical research effort from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Anna Phillips-Lambert is a Co-PI for a $500,000 NSF project to increase the number of students in science, engineering, and technology, Dr. Ivey and Dr. Palazolo have received continued funding for the summer GEE program aimed at recruiting girls into engineering, and Drs. Anderson and Pezeshk continue to receive funding for their work in Groundwater and Earthquake Engineering, respectively.

Third, we are about to announce the details of a major fund raising effort for the Thomas S. Fry Fund. You will hear more about this later this fall.

As you can see, this is a busy time and we are all excited about the opportunities we have before us!