In October 2019, SE University welcomed Bruce Brothersen, PE, SE, from Vulcraft, and Walter Worthley, PE, SE, from Valley Joist, to present Retrofitting of Existing Buildings with Steel Joists.  Walt designated St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/) for one of the SEU Speaker Inspires donations for this month.

Walt shared: “The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital continues to provide exceptional care for children with cancer. Their work in helping patients and families deal with this disease, as well as help to find cures, continues to be an inspiration to every life they touch.”

Thank you, Walt, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as one of our SEU Speaker Inspires Organizations 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.

Bruce Brothersen, PE, SE, Vulcraft

In October 2019, SE University welcomed Bruce Brothersen, PE, SE, from Vulcraft, and Walter Worthley, PE, SE, from Valley Joist, to present Retrofitting of Existing Buildings with Steel Joists.  Bruce designated City of Hope (https://www.cityofhope.org) for one of the SEU Speaker Inspires donations for this month.

Bruce shared: “Engineering is all about making the world better. Engineers are not alone in the pursuit. The City of Hope National Medical Center is making the world better through Cancer research, prevention and treatments. Just about everyone is effected by cancer, personally, family members or friends. We are honored to assist, in a small way, to give more hope to people effected by cancer.”

Thank you, Bruce, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of City of Hope as one of our SEU Speaker Inspires Organizations 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.

John Lawson, PE, SE, Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo

In July 2019, SE University welcomed John Lawson, PE, SE, from Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo, to present Engineering Tilt-Up: Design Provisions Born from Past Experience.  John designated The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obsipo County (www.lcslo.org) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

John shared that he made this selection because: “I love this local organization as it preserves important open space and natural habitats while developing an educational outreach program called Learning Among the Oaks for elementary school children that fosters leadership and stewardship.”

Thank you, John, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County 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.

James O. Malley, SE Degenkolb Engineers

In September 2019, SE University welcomed James O. Malley, SE, from Degenkolb Engineers, to present Changes to the Seismic Design of Steel Structures.  Jim designated the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) Endowment Campaign Fund (http://www.learningfromearthquakes.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

Jim shared: “I selected this fund because EERI’s LFE program made a very significant impact on my career and those of many others by providing earthquake professionals from all disciplines with the opportunity to work together at the site of major earthquakes and share those experiences with the entire earthquake community. The EERI LFE program has made important and lasting contributions to improved understanding of the impacts created by earthquakes and has directly led to many significant advances in seismic design. The LFE endowment fund will guarantee that these contributions will continue for decades to come.”

To learn more about this endowment fund visit http://www.learningfromearthquakes.org/images/EERI-LFE-Endowment-Case-Statement-V10.pdf.

Thank you, Jim, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) Endowment Campaign Fund 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.

Duane Miller, PE, The Lincoln Electric Company

In August 2019, Duane Miller, PE, from the Lincoln Electric Company, presented Introducing Design Guide 21: Welded Connections (Second Edition). Duane previously nominated The City Mission in Cleveland (https://www.thecitymission.org) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month when he spoke for SE University in 2017, and he has chosen to do the same in 2019.

Duane shared why he chose The City Mission: “An icon in the welding world, Mr. Omer W. Blodgett passed away in January 2017 at the age of 99. In his honor, his family has requested donations be made to the Cleveland City Mission, an organization that has for over a century provided help and hope to Cleveland’s hurting and homeless; in his honor, I’d like this SEU donation to be made. Mr. Blodgett’s was a longtime supporter of not only the Cleveland City Mission, but of similar organizations in other major cities throughout the US. To me, Mr. Blodgett was my mentor. In an unselfish way, he wanted me to “take over his work” and he showed me how to do so. I’ll never replace him—no one will—but he taught me how to continue to do what he did. He was an exceptional engineer, a tremendous teacher and an consistent Christian, leaving a legacy and an example for all of us to model.”

Thank you, Duane, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of The City Mission in Cleveland 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.

Lori Koch, PE American Wood Council

In June 2019, SE University welcomed Lori Koch, PE, from American Wood Council, to present 2018 National Design Specification (NDS) Changes.  Lori designated the Richmond SPCA (https://richmondspca.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

French Fry

Lori shared that she chose this organization because: “They are a great local no kill shelter here in Richmond where I live and they provided me with my slightly chubby but very fluffy and cute boy, French Fry, as seen in this photo.”

Thank you, Lori, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the the Richmond SPCA 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.

Cathleen Jacinto, PE, SE FORSE Consulting

In April 2019, SE University welcomed Cathleen Jacinto, PE, SE, from FORSE Consulting to present Lintels for Masonry Walls.  Cathleen designated the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (https://www.choc.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

Cathleen shared that she chose this organization because: “Children’s Hospital of Orange County is an amazing organization that has changed the lives of many children and families experiencing their hardest of times. Their brilliant staff and positive environment bring about miracles everyday, for which I am very grateful.”

Thank you, Cathleen, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the the Children’s Hospital of Orange County 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.

Roger LaBoube, PhD, PE Missouri University of Science and Technology

In May 2019, SE University welcomed Roger LaBoube, PhD, PE, from Missouri University of Science and Technology, to present Built-Up Member Design (Cold-Formed Steel).  Roger designated the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (https://www.lls.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

Roger shared: “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 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.

Geoff Blumber, Hexagon PPM

In March 2019, SE University welcomed Geoff Blumber and Ravi Ozarker, PE, P.Eng.,  from Hexagon PPM, to present Avoiding Vibration Issues in Your Structure.  Geoff designated the James Mirabal, P.E. Endowed Scholarship in Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin (https://endowments.giving.utexas.edu/james-mirabal-p-e-endowed-scholarship-in-civil-architectural-and-environmental-engineering/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.

Geoff shared: “During my time at UT, Jason Mirabal was not only a classmate, but also a friend. His father, James is not only a PE but also a 1st generation college graduate who inspired his children to plan and persevere in their efforts to fund and complete their college degrees. His positive example inspired not only his children but also their classmates (including myself as the first in my family to attend college). This endowment was established to pay forward that inspiration and persevering example to assist others that are the first in their family to attend college. Any 1st generation college students pursuing a degree in Civil or Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas is eligible to apply.”

Thank you, Geoff, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the the James Mirabal, P.E. Endowed Scholarship in Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin 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.

Matthew Rechtien, PE, Esq., Senior Assistant City Attorney, City of Ann Arbor

In February 2019, SE University welcomed back Matthew Rechtien, PE, Esq., Senior Assistant City Attorney with the City of Ann Arbor, to present Engineering Ethics Update and Miscellany. In 2017 and 2018, he designated the David and Maxine Fowler Endowed Excellence Fund at the University of Texas at Austin (http://www.caee.utexas.edu/alumni/gift/opportunites) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month, and he has chosen to do the same in 2019.

Matthew previously shared why he chose the David and Maxine Fowler Endowed Excellence Fund: “Dr. Fowler, with the support of his wife, Maxine, has been a mentor, advocate, and friend for twenty years. As a professor at the University of Texas for half a century, he has touched the lives of literally hundreds of other engineering students, engineers and others in a similar way. Dr. Fowler is a gentleman and scholar in every sense of those words. I am humbled to be able to contribute, in any way (but especially by, as he did, teaching my fellow engineers), to his legacy, including the David and Maxine Fowler Endowed Excellence Fund.”

Thank you, Matthew, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the David and Maxine Fowler Endowed Excellence Fund 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.