Welcome from the Chair

Radisav D. Vidic

I am very excited about the privilege of updating you on the new and exciting developments in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh through this first e-newsletter.

Our profession plays a crucial role in sustaining our quality of life, and we have dedicated ourselves to serving society, whether it is through developing and maintaining our infrastructure or solving difficult problems in the environment. We continue to strengthen education and research activities at Pitt to make this mission even more focused and successful in the future.

Read more of the chair’s message.

Faculty Awards & Achievements

Pitt Receives $25 Million PennDOT Contract

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will be administering an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) signed between the University of Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). This five-year agreement—capped at $25 million—names Pitt as one of the leading institutions in the state.

CEE will assist PennDOT in the development and implementation of new technologies and operational strategies in the transportation sector. The terms of the agreement and this preferential treatment were decided based upon the past success that PennDOT has had with Pitt’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and on the academic prowess of its faculty members.

The department will meet with PennDOT officials to discuss the scope of work and identify projects on an annual basis and as they arise. Such projects might include, but are not limited to, those in the realm of sustainable development, advance infrastructure systems and infrastructure renewal, and environmental implications of the transportation sector.

Read about more faculty achievements.

Department News

University of Pittsburgh to Offer Programs in Mining, Transportation Engineering, Makes Advancements to Construction Management Program

Beginning in spring 2007, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will offer new programs in mining engineering and transportation engineering. The school also has made updates to the Construction Management Program.

Read more about these new programs and other department news.

Student News & Awards

Undergraduate Student’s Research Findings Presented at Prestigious International Conference on FRP

Not many undergraduate students can claim to have had their research findings presented at an international conference. But Pitt Department of Civil and Environmental undergraduate Alex O’Neill is among the elite: his published and peer-reviewed findings, titled “Fatigue Behavior of Adhesive Systems Used for Externally-Bonded FRP Applications” (PDF),will be presented at the Third International Conference on Durability & Field Applications of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites for Construction (CDCC) in Quebec City, Canada, in May 2007.

Read more about Alex and other student accomplishments.

Alumni News

Dennis Yeskey Named Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 2007 Distinguished Alumnus

Dennis Yeskey (BSCE ‘72, MSCE ‘73) has been named the 2007 Distinguished Alum for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Read more about Yeskey’s accomplishments and other alumni notes and updates.

Campaign News

Foundations for Greatness: The Campaign for Engineering

School of Engineering Creates Legacy Funds

A new endowed gift opportunity for the school’s alumni and friends is generating a considerable and somewhat unexpected response. Donors can now establish and name their own “Engineering Legacy Fund,” which can be designated for unrestricted support to a specific department or for school-wide needs. In just 18 months, 42 Engineering Legacy Funds have been established, with about half of these designated to departments and the other half left unrestricted to the school. Four have been dedicated specifically to support the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The combined value of all these funds exceeds $850,000, and a goal has been set to establish at least 50 of these funds by June 30, 2007.

Interested in learning more about an Engineering Legacy Fund? Please visit us online or contact Aaron Conley, executive director of development and alumni relations, aconley@engr.pitt.edu or Peter John Leone, director of development, pleone@engr.pitt.edu.

Read more about how alumni are helping the department and school through the capital campaign.

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