Matthew Mester, PE, SE SidePlate Systems, Inc.
In June 2017, Matthew Mester, PE, SE, from SidePlate Systems, Inc., presented Moment Frames: Design and Detailing per AISC 341 and 358. He nominated the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California Foundation (http://www.seaosc.org) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
The Structural Engineers Association of Southern California Foundation, in its goals to further the development of the structural engineering profession, looks for partners, be it individuals, companies or corporations, to pursue structural engineering innovation and research for use in the public domain. The foundation can assist in the development process of specific structural engineering research projects and publishing of any findings.
The foundation is dependent upon donations for its operation and funding of research projects and annual student scholarships. Matthew chose to donate to the SEAOSC Foundation for student scholarships to “help the next generation of structural engineers.”
Thank you, Matthew, 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.
Patrick Fortney, PhD, PE, SE, P.Eng University of Cinncinati
In April 2017, Patrick Fortney, PhD, PE, SE, P.Eng, from the University of Cinncinati, presented The Chevron Effect – A Paradigm Shift in Approach to Analysis. He nominated Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
Patrick shared why he chose the WWP: “The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors who incurred a physical or mental injury, illnesses, or wound, co-incident to military service on or after September 11, 2001. As with most veterans, these veterans served our country not out of any political bent or personal goal; they made selfless commitments to protect and preserve the great freedoms that we as Americans enjoy and vowed to resist anyone acting to take our freedoms from us.
The Wounded Warrior Project not only addresses the physical ailments of these veterans but, takes a holistic approach to helping veterans to once again acclimatize to their private and personal lives; addressing issues not only suffered by the veterans but, by their families as well. I encourage everyone to view the testimonials of the wounded veterans and their families to which this charity has served. We cannot overlook or underestimate the sacrifices made by our veterans.”
Thank you, Patrick, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of Wounded Warrior Project 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.
Pat Conway, AIA International Masonry Institute
In March 2017, Pat Conway, AIA, from the International Masonry Institute, presented Masonry Movement Joints from a Structural and Architectural Perspective. He nominated Friends of Blue Mound State Park (http://fwspbluemound.blogspot.com/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
Friends of Blue Mound State Park is a group of volunteers working together to benefit the park by enhancing and preserving its natural resources while offering activities and projects to improve the park guest’s visit. Pat shared that he chose Friends of Blue Mound State Park because they “help support our K-5th grade Youth Cross-Country Ski Program to introduce children and families to a winter sport as a part of a fun, active, outdoor Nordic lifestyle. This ski program is run by the Blue Mound Nordic Ski Club and offers ski lessons and games on Saturday mornings in January and February. We rent ski equipment to families and offer scholarships to those who cannot afford it.”
Thank you, Pat, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of Friends of Blue Mound State Park 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 April 2017, Lori Koch, PE, from the American Wood Council, presented 2015 National Design Specification for Wood Construction – Significant Changes including Cross-laminated Timber. She nominated the Humane Society of Loudoun County (http://www.humaneloudoun.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
Lori shared why she chose the Humane Society: “I have always loved animals, and have gained several 4 legged family members from local shelters over my life. Adopting an animal from a shelter is one of the greatest gifts you can ever give yourself, although in my experience cats will never be satisfied with your work even if you provide them engineering drawings in advance for their cat tree construction project.”
Thank you, Lori, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the Humane Society of Loudoun 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.
Susan Burmeister, PE S2B Consulting Engineers, PLLC
In October 2016, Susan Burmeister, PE, from S2B Consulting Engineers, PLLC, presented Advanced Topics in Composite Steel Beam Design. She nominated Bridges to Prosperity (http://www.bridgestoprosperity.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
According to their website, “Bridges to Prosperity envisions a world where poverty caused by rural isolation no longer exists. Our programs provide access to healthcare, education and markets by teaching communities how to build footbridges over impassable rivers, in partnership with organizations and professionals. We prove the value of our work through a commitment to the community and its bridge that lasts long after the opening celebration.”
Thank you, Susan, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of Bridges to Prosperity 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 February 2017, Duane Miller, PE, from the Lincoln Electric Company, presented Welding Myths that Structural Engineers Need to Know About. He nominated The City Mission in Cleveland (https://www.thecitymission.org) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
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.
Matthew Rechtien, PE, Esq. Bodman Law, PLC
In January 2017, Matthew Rechtien, PE, Esq., a member of the law firm of Bodman PLC, presented A Case Study, and Legal Perspectives, on Engineering Ethics: The Kansas City Hyatt. He nominated the David and Maxine Fowler Endowed Excellence Fund at the University of Texas at Austin(http://endowments.giving.utexas.edu/page/fowler-david-maxine-exc-fnd-caee/4886/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
Matthew 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.
Kimberley Robinson, PE, SE SunSteel, LLC
In December 2016, Kimberley Robinson, PE, SE, from SunSteel LLC, gave a talk on Structural Irregularities per the ASCE7-10 Seismic Design Requirements. She chose the Structural Engineers Association of Utah Scholarship Program (http://www.seau.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
Kim shared why she chose the SEAU Scholarship Program: “I think that it is very important to support young and talented would-be engineers and bring them closer to their goal of a college degree and a rich and rewarding career.”
Thank you, Kim, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the SEAU Scholarship Program 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.
Carlos de Oliveira, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., Cast Connex Corporation
In November 2016, Carlos de Oliveira, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., from Cast Connex Corporation, gave a talk on Structural Applications for Steel Castings. He chose the École Lakay Project in Haiti (http://www.cca-acc.com/cca/ecole-lakay/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
Carlos chose the École Lakay Project because his company has previously donated to the design and re-construction of this project after the 2010 earthquake destroyed this trade school in Port-au-Prince. The new facility includes state-of-the-art seismic-resistant High Strength Connectors, made by Cast Connex, which have been fabricated and erected, but the project needs additional funding to complete the non-structural components of the building through Builders without Borders and the Canadian Construction Association. Besides teaching the students a trade, the school also provides basic necessities and will be able to accommodate 200 students upon completion.
Thank you, Carlos, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the École Lakay Project 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.
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.
