News
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William Arnold: Collateral Consequences
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In the face of a viral pandemic, there is a need to disinfect our surroundings to stay healthy. Thus, the amount of disinfectants used and released into the environment will rise. William Arnold’s expertise is investigating what happens to chemicals when they reach the environment.
Raymond Hozalski: Return to Safe Buildings
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Raymond Hozalski and Timothy LaPara are investigating pathogens that can flourish in the water systems of unused buildings. Leaving buildings vacant and unused can lead to stagnation within the plumbing. Stagnation can lead to serious concerns.
Eugene Skok: Leader in Paving
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Eugene L. Skok "Gene" (PE, Ph.D. 1968) passed away peacefully on June 29, 2020. Gene Skok was a civil engineer and former faculty member at the University of Minnesota. He was a leader in the pavement engineering profession. Skok completed his bachelor, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering at UMN. His pioneering research, under the supervision of Professor Miles Kersten, led to the development of an asphalt pavement design procedure for the State of Minnesota, parts of which are still in use today.
Best Dissertation: Mirko Musa
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Mirko Musa (Ph.D. 2019) has won the 2020 Best Dissertation Award in Physical Sciences and Engineering awarded by the University of Minnesota Graduate School. Musa’s research addresses generation of renewable energy using wind-turbine-like devices in rivers. Experiments conducted at Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) suggest that turbines can be placed strategically and could be used to protect stream banks from erosion. Hydrokinetic turbines could become part of stream restoration projects that support and sustain the ecological function of the river channel while producing clean renewable energy.
Robert Rosene: Legacy of Support and Service
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Robert W. Rosene (BCE 1945, MS 1948), founding partner of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates, Inc. (BRA), died on June 9, 2020. Rosene was a dedicated alumnus of the University. He was active in numerous professional and technical organizations including the Consulting Engineers Council of Minnesota, the Minneapolis and St. Paul Society of American Military Engineers, and the American Consulting Engineers Council. He was named Engineer of the Year by the Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers in 1993. Rosene served as vice president and principal of BRA from 1959 until his retirement in 1992. The firm is now part of Stantec Consulting Services. Rosene was an outstanding leader whose expertise consisted of the design and project management of parks, swimming pools, and buildings for government and industry.
ASCE-MN Awards CEGE Students
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Due to the Covid-19 quarantine, the annual Awards Banquet of the Minnesota Section of ASCE was not held. Jia-Liang Le, President of ASCE-MN, published a special announcement acknowledging the Spring 2020 awardees. Le noted in his message that "The award banquet is the single most important event of our section. Our student members are the future of ASCE."
Quizbowl Champions
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CSE Students for $100,000 please. Q. This CEGE student is a teammate of Jeopardy!’s recent $100,000 winner. A. Who is Blake Andert?
François Cornet
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We are sad to note the passing of François Cornet, who died suddenly of a heart attack on Saturday, May 23, 2020. Cornet was a world expert in the field of rock mechanics. He completed his doctoral studies with CEGE’s Professor Emeritus Charles Fairhurst in the early 1970s. François Cornet’s work was influential, and he will be missed by many colleagues and friends.
Astronaut Scholar William Zunker
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Civil Engineering major William Zunker (class of 2021) has been awarded a scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. The prestigious, competitive scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate leadership, imagination, and academic excellence in the study of mathematics, science or engineering. Initiated by the Mercury-7 astronauts, it is awarded annually to outstanding sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research-oriented careers. Zunker has been working with Professor Stefano Gonella on the design of metamaterials with unconventional mechanical properties.
Solidarity and Support for all members of CEGE Community
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We are all in this together! CEGE embraces contributions of students and scholars of all nationalities, creeds, and cultures.