Scott Nacheman, MSc.Eng., AIA DeSimone Consulting Engineers

In November 2016, Scott Nacheman, MSc.Eng., AIA, from DeSimone Consulting Engineers, gave a talk on The Indiana State Fair Collapse Incident. He chose the United Service Organizations (http://www.uso.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

Scott shared why he chose the USO: “I am involved with several organizations that support our men and women in uniform and feel that in today’s world of uncertainty the USO provides some much needed support and ‘gap filling’ for our nation’s protectors. The men and women of the United States Armed Forces have made significant sacrifices in order to protect our way of life domestically and abroad. ‎The USO provides support and assistance to these brave individuals in order to make their deployments a little easier, and assists them in maintaining communication with loved ones back in the States.”

Thank you, Scott, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the United Service Organizations as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!

SE University began the SEU Speaker Inspires program in 2015 as a way to “pay it forward”, enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.

SE Solutions was pleased to recently present scholarships to three Purdue University Structures students to help defray the cost of their education.  Goran Milutinovic, Ryan Whelchel, and Alana Wilbee were the recipients of the awards.  This is the fifth year that SE Solutions has offered the scholarships.

Purdue University MSCE Students and Scholarship Winners Alana Wilbee (left), Ryan Whelchel (middle), SE Solutions, LLC President, Brian Quinn, and Goran Milutinovic (right)

Goran Milutinovic received his BS in Civil Engineering from University of Belgrade in Serbia, Europe, and will complete his MSCE at Purdue in December 2016.  His masters thesis was sponsored by INDOT and focused on the load rating of bridges and overweight vehicles.  Goran became fascinated with long-span bridges as a child, which sparked his interest in structural engineering.  Goran appreciates bridges, as he believes they represent intellectual effort as well as a connection to life and people that is depicted in his favorite novel, The Bridge on the Drina.  After graduating, Goran will begin working with Janssen Spaans Engineering in Indianapolis.  Goran is married and has a two year old daughter and is expecting another child very soon.

Ryan Whelchel received his BS in Architectural Engineering from Kansas State University.  He is currently working on his MSCE at Purdue and plans to continue to pursue a PhD in Civil Engineering.  Ryan is currently working as a graduate research assistant focusing on prestressed concrete bridges.  Learning how buildings stand up and how to design structural systems has always been fascinating to Ryan, and upon graduating, he hopes to find work at a structural engineering firm where he can be challenged and create innovative structural solutions.

Alana Wilbee received her BS in Civil Engineering at Purdue in 2015.  Following the completion of her MSCE at Purdue in December of 2016, she will begin working on her PhD research focusing on structural health monitoring techniques to support community-wide damage assessment in post-disaster scenarios.  Alana is originally from Colorado Springs, and decided to pursue engineering when she realized the field would capitalize on her inclinations toward building and problem solving.  After debating between aerospace and civil engineering, Alana decided that designing safe and beautiful places for people to live and work was more important to her than figuring out how to move people through the sky.

SE Solutions would like to congratulate each recipient and wish them future success in their fields of study as structural engineers.

Roger LaBoube, PhD, P.E.
Missouri University of Science & Technology

In September 2016, Roger LaBoube, P.E., from Missouri University of Science & Technology, gave a talk on Design Aids and Design Examples for Cold-Formed Steel. He chose the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (http://www.lls.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

Roger shared his story about why he chose the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: “On June 7, 2003, our daughter Jennifer married Russ. The wedding was a wonderful family event and Karen and I were both extremely happy for Jennifer and Russ. Four short months later, Russ was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma Stage 4B. After 10 months of treatments, Russ’ Hodgkins was forced into remission. Obviously, Karen and I were elated to learn of this news. However, in June 2005, Russ was diagnosed with leukemia. Following more chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, the leukemia is now in remission. I chose to support LLS to honor both Russ and Jennifer for their fighting spirit and to help others who are also fighting so hard to defeat their cancer. Our family has benefited first hand from both the research and the patient services of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.”

Thank you, Roger, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!

SE University began the SEU Speaker Inspires program in 2015 as a way to “pay it forward”, enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.

Annie Kao, P.E.
Simpson Strong-Tie

In August 2016, Annie Kao, P.E., from Simpson Strong-Tie, gave a talk on Effective Communication Skills for Workplace Conversations and Meetings. She chose the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC) Foundation (http://seaosc.org/page-18108) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

Annie chose this organization because it “supports structural engineering research and scholarships to students majoring in structural engineering.”

Thank you, Annie, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California Foundation as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!

SE University began the SEU Speaker Inspires program in 2015 as a way to “pay it forward”, enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.

Karyn Beebe, P.E.
APA – The Engineered Wood Association

In July 2016, Karyn Beebe, P.E., from APA – The Engineered Wood Association, gave a talk on Advancements in Force Transfer Around Openings for Wood Framed Shear Walls. She chose Purdue University Lyles School of Civil Engineering (www.engineering.purdue.edu/CE) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

Karyn said the following about this organization, “The Civil Engineering Department at Purdue University provided me with an excellent education covering a broad base which prepared me technically for the workforce as well as the PE while offering a supportive community through the guidance of the professors, the Co-operative Education program, and Women in Engineering.”

Thank you, Karyn, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of Purdue University Lyles School of Civil Engineering as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!

SE University began the SEU Speaker Inspires program in 2015 as a way to “pay it forward”, enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.

Carol Post, P.E., S.E.
Thornton Tomasetti

In June 2016, Carol Post, P.E., S.E., from Thornton Tomasetti gave a talk on Best Practices to Improve Structural Construction Documents for SE University. She chose The Epilepsy Foundation (www.epilepsy.com) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

Carol said the following about this charity, “Epilepsy can be a very challenging disease for those who are afflicted with it. Thanks to ongoing research many have had their quality of life improved and sometimes even returned to normal. Further research, thanks to donations like this, can keep the hope alive.”

Thank you, Carol, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of The Epilepsy Foundation as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!

SE University began the SEU Speaker Inspires program in 2015 as a way to “pay it forward”, enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.

In an effort to “Pay It Forward,” SE University is happy to announce our “SEU Speaker Inspires” program in which our speakers can designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.

Sam Rubenzer, P.E., S.E.
FORSE Consulting

In May 2016, Sam Rubenzer, P.E., S.E., from FORSE Consulting gave a talk on Masonry Analysis and Design with FEA Software for SE University. He chose Engineering Ministries International (www.emiworld.org/donate.php) for the donation of the month.

Sam said the following about Engineering Ministries International, “EMI is willing to take on a very important role in restoring hope to poor and desolate areas of the world. The work that I was fortunate enough to be involved with at EMI was challenging as we attempted to use state of the art analysis and design tools, while anticipating the limited construction methods and techniques in these remote and impoverished areas. EMI is true to their vision of ‘designing a world of hope for the physically and spiritually poor’ and I am grateful to be able to support them.”

Thank you, Sam, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of Engineering Ministries International as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!

In an effort to “Pay It Forward,” SE University is happy to announce our “SEU Speaker Inspires” program in which our speakers can designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.

Otto J. Schwarz, P.E., S.E.
Ryan Biggs | Clark Davis

In April 2016, Otto J. Schwarz, P.E., S.E., from Ryan Biggs | Clark Davis gave a talk on Evaluation and Repair of Precast and Post-Tensioned Concrete Parking Structures for SE University. He chose the North Carolina State University Department of Civil Engineering (www.ce.ncsu.edu) for the donation of the month, as he received a great deal from this program in pursuit of his master’s degree.

In remembering his time spent in the NC State Department of Civil Engineering, Otto recalled, “The type of experience provided at their Constructed Facilities Laboratory is extremely valuable for young engineers pursuing a career in Structural Engineering or materials science. Also, I owe an immense amount to Dr. Mike Lemming for providing an in-depth, practical, and functional knowledge of concrete chemistry and physical properties.”

Thank you, Otto, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the North Carolina State University Department of Civil Engineering as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!

In an effort to “Pay It Forward,” SE University is happy to announce our “SEU Speaker Inspires” program in which our speakers can designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.

Aldo E. McKay, PE
Protection Engineering Consultants

In March 2016, Aldo E. McKay, PE, from Protection Engineering Consultants gave a talk on Implementation of the ISC Physical Security Design Requirements for Federal Buildings for SE University. He chose the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund (www.jimmyv.org/stuartscott) for the donation of the month. This fund is a part of the Jimmy V Foundation but focuses on cancer research for minority groups.

Aldo said the following about the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund, “I have been touched by cancer like many people. As an engineer, I have seen how research helps us improve the way we design, analyze and build infrastructure. I truly believe that with our current technology, it is just a matter of time before a cure for cancer can be found. If we support cancer researchers, it will expedite the process of taking the cure from test tubes to patients more quickly.”

Thank you, Aldo, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!

In an effort to “Pay It Forward,” SE University is happy to announce our “SEU Speaker Inspires” program in which our speakers can designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.

Dave K. Adams
BWE

In February 2016, Dave K. Adams, SE, from BWE gave a talk on Ethics for Structural Engineers: Lessons in Negligence and Incompetence for SE University. He chose the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Structural Engineering Scholarship Fund (https://giveto.ucsd.edu/ – giving option 2337), for the donation of the month. This fund assists undergraduate students studying structural engineering in the Jacobs School of Engineering.

Dave chose UCSD for his SEU Speaker Inspires donation because he would like to help make it possible for more students to attend UCSD and study structural engineering.

Thank you, Dave, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the UCSD Structural Engineering Scholarship Fund as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!