FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009
 Contact: Lalena Price, University Communications (304) 746-1989
 

Engineering students host professional educational conference

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University’s student chapter of the Society of American Military Engineers will host its first professional technical conference today.

More than 100 professional engineers are expected to attend the chapter’s Premiere Winter Technical Conference during which they can earn up the six professional development hours.

Marshall University President Stephen J. Kopp along with Betsy Dulin, dean of the College of Information Technology and Engineering, will welcome the local engineering community to campus with opening remarks.

“The students have structured a compelling program for local engineers,” Dulin said. “They have brought together some impressive names in the field of engineering from academia, the federal government and state government levels. This conference has a lot to offer our local engineering community.”

Featured presenters include:

  • Tom Smith of the Federal Highway Administration discussing the future direction of the nation’s transportation program;

  • Mark Hammond, a technical specialist in Plan Formulation/Economics with the Army Corps of Engineers, discussing the Ohio River Mainstem System Study, Draft System Investment Plan;

  • Jeff Russell, chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin, presenting “Body of Knowledge: Preparing Civil Engineers for the Challenges of the 21st Century”;

  • Paul Mattox, Jr., Secretary of Transportation and Commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Highways, discussing the agency’s 2009 program;

  • Donald Williams, director of Research and Special Studies, Program Planning and Administration Division, WVDOH, presenting “Challenges in Transportation – Building and Maintaining Highways in West Virginia”.

  • Hany J. Farran, professor of structural engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Calif., presenting “Long-Span Suspension Bridges and Cable-Stayed Bridges: The State-of-the-Art”;

  • Peter J. Dailey, research associate with the Nick J. Rahall II Transportation Institute, presenting “Automatic Classification Yard Surveying with GNSS During Revenue Operations”; and

  • Wael A. Zatar, professor with the Nick J. Rahall II Transportation Institute, College of Information Technology and Engineering, Marshall University, presenting "Sustainable Structures with Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites - Innovations and Applications".

The daylong event will take place in the Memorial Student Center’s new conference center.

For more information, contact Beth Wolfe at (304) 696-6007.

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