Benchmark and Beaker

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enchmark & beaker INSIDE 03 FROM THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR 04 CE/ENVE CLUB UPDATE 06 ALGAE RESEARCH STATION 08 POWER ENGINEERING 10 NEW PARTNERS SCHOLARS 12 CLASSROOM RENOVATION 14 NEW FACULTY 15 STUDENT BOARD | SUMMIT ▲ Civil engineering student Adam Monroe works on using nanoparticles to detect microbes in drinking water during his undergraduate research project sponsored by the Industrial Partners Program (See Page 10). 2 | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
From The Department chair Department chair Charles Chadwell shows work in progress in the Trophy Room, long used as the department’s showcase for its many club victories, as it converts to one of the most hightech rooms on campus with money provided by the Platinum Partners. (See article on Page 12). ▲ While we’re all excited about the prospect of inperson classes returning to campus in the fall, I’m also incredibly proud of what our faculty and students achieved during this extremely challenging time. To cite just a couple of examples, recently, a team of students guided by Professor Hani Alzraiee won first place in the Virtual Design & Construction category at the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Student Competition, and Professor Stefan Talke’s important research on “nuisance flooding” was widely publicized, including stories in Popular Science, Wired and the BBC. Alzraiee and Talke are two of the six faculty members taking part in the exciting new Partners Scholars program, which pairs freshmen students with faculty research exploring relevant, real-world topics. The Partners Scholars is one of several initiatives funded by our successful Industry Partners Program (IPP), both of which you can read more about in this newsletter. This year, the department was once again named one of the top three of its kind by the U.S. News & World Report, and part of that success can be attributed to the incredible support we get from industry, alumni and friends. Like our IPP, which funds a wide array of initiatives, our donor-supported discretionary fund helps us address a variety of needs that surface —including unexpected ones. When the pandemic forced us to abruptly pivot to virtual classes, we were able to use our discretionary funds to purchase needed server systems. And once we do return, we will now have a new department van that will come in handy for a multitude of projects. Of course, our rankings are also heavily influenced by our top-notch faculty, and this year, we’ve welcomed two new assistant professors, Shams Tanvir and Long Wang. Both have been actively involved in research, and they have already involved students in those endeavors. Both Tanvir and Wang participated in the Partners Scholars program. Club activity in our department serves many functions — providing social and industry connections and skills that further our signature Learn by Doing approach to learning — and as you’ll see here, our clubs have remained active even during the pandemic. But, of course, the rhythmic sound of students sanding a concrete canoe will never sound so good when the activities we’ve come to love return to campus. It won’t be long. Until then, we wish you well. And, as always, we thank you for your support — be it with dollars, mentorship, jobs or a good word. Sincerely, Charles Chadwell, Ph.D., P.E. Department Chair SPRING 2021 | 3
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