Annual Report Year 2010 - Civil and Environmental Engineering

Cox (from page 11)
interbasin transfer of water from a river
in France to Spain, and the model he
developed suggested that the transfer
would produce net gains without significant
environmental impacts, but the
project was controversial and has never
become politically feasible.
Cox projects that a technological
breakthrough such as major advancements
in desalination processes could
address the demands of growing
populations in many areas and reduce
reliance on water transport via pipelines
and dam construction. “On the
subject of dams and interbasin transfer
of water, I have almost been tarred
and feathered for voicing support in a
public hearing,” he reminisces. “But
the need for such projects will continue
until we enhance our abilities to utilize
alternative sources such as seawater and
overcome social and technical obstacles
to greater water conservation and
reuse. “I have had the good fortune to
be involved in a wide diversity of water
management issues. The projects have
involved different levels of challenge,
but they have all involved controversial
topics about which people will always
disagree,” he smiles.
“Professor Cox has been an integral
part of the CEE department for nearly
40 years. During that time he has
always contributed in significant ways
to the department’s mission and needs.
His teaching, scholarship and most notably
his service to our department will
be sorely missed. His work, dedication
and loyalty to Virginia Tech and the
CEE Department have truly made a
difference to all those that have had the
good fortune to work with Bill,” says
Sam Easterling, current head of the
CEE department.
Mouras (from page 9)
daily coordination with large private
contractors and U.S. military forces
to ensure complex project success in a
highly challenging physical and political
environment.
She was also responsible for the
leadership, task management, logistical
support, administration, and physical
security of a 10-person government
civilian contracting support team.
Mouras also served as acting chief
of plans and operations in Winchester,
Va., specifically responsible for the leadership
and management of a 15-person
team, including both military and
civilian individuals, which managed
technical engineering reach-back, personnel
tasking and personnel processing
in support of Corps of Engineers teams
deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
From 1989 to 1991, Mouras served
as executive officer of the 389th Construction
Battalion, in Dubuque, Iowa.
She was the second-in-command of a
795-member Army Reserve construction
battalion, responsible for managing
all staff that executed the unit’s
administration, personnel, operations,
and logistics.
Her awards and recognitions
include: Faculty Advisor of the Year,
Zone II, American Society of Civil
Engineers in 2006; Alumni Teaching
Excellence Award from the Via
Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, Virginia Tech in
2005; Legion of Merit for exceptional
career service, U.S. Army in 2004;
Bronze Star for performance of duties
in a combat zone, U.S. Army in 2003;
and the Excellence in Career Advising
Award, Virginia Tech in 2003.
12 | VIA REPORT | 2010