Mike Wolcott - Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Sciences

Mike Wolcott was recently elected a Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Sciences for his teaching and research contributions in wood science. This election is among the highest honors given by the Academy.

Vikram Yadama - NSF Career Award

Dr. Vikram Yadama received a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation for his proposal “Development of high-performance lignocellulosic composites for building envelopes: Authentic learning about sustainable materials through research-based inductive approach.” This program provides NSF’s most prestigious awards to support junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholar. The long-term educational goal of this CAREER project is to prepare a new generation of engineers cognizant of sustainable building materials from lignocellulosic fibers and equipped with the knowledge to design and manufacture bio-based composite products for building envelopes in a net zero energy construction. This study aims to advance the science of sustainable buildings through new design concepts using panelized systems for residential construction to meet structural and energy requirements of the building codes. This will reduce the consumption of operational energy of our future homes and stimulate the home building industry and segments of the forest products industry. The award will be funded at a total of $400,000 over five years.

Regents Professor, Brian Lamb to Lead WSU Team in NASA Mars Mission

A mission to explore the Martian atmosphere for potential evidence of life was funded by a $1.1M grant from NASA. This project was developed by scientists from WSU, Cornell University, and California Institute of Technology. Field studies will be conducted in a desert-like environment in eastern Washington over the next two years. Dr. Brian Lamb of WSU/LAR will lead the WSU group in this project. More information.

PhD Student Ricardi Duvil Awarded the Bullitt Environmental Fellowship

The Bullitt Environmental Fellowship is a two-year, $50,000 per year fellowship awarded to graduate students interested in pursuing leadership positions in environmental study. Selection is based on qualifications such as being an outstanding, environmentally knowledgeable graduate student from a community under-represented in the environmental field, who has demonstrated exceptional capacity for leadership and scholastic ability. There will be a reception and presentation of the award to Duvil August 2012 in Seattle, WA.
More Information

CEE Academic Coordinator, Brooke Whiting was Selected to Participate in Leadership Mentoring Program of NACADA

In the National Academic Advising Association's Emerging Leaders program, Whiting will be paired with a mentor in a two-year program. The program supports and guides leaders in training. For more information see WSU News. Whiting also received the Outstanding Advising Certificate of Merit in the primary advising category. See more here.

Dan Dolan Recognized for ACADA Award Spring 2013

Dr. Dolan received an Outstanding Achievement in Academic Advising Certificate of Merit in the Faculty category

CEE Undergraduate, Kurt Wiseman Receives 2012 APWA Jack Pittis Memorial Scholarship
This is a $10,000 scholarship that contributes to the educational endeavors of a student who plans to pursue a career in Public Works and who has demonstrated a commitment to public service and community involvement.

CEE Undergraduate, Heather Baxter - NCAR Workshop
Baxter, was selected to attend a NCAR Undergraduate Leadership Workshop to be held in Boulder, Colorado, June 11 – 15, 2012. Students spend time exploring a wide range of research topics with scientists at several NCAR/UCAR locations. They also visit other science institutions in the area and enjoy a few social evening activities. The purpose of the workshop is to inform students about exciting research and career opportunities in atmospheric sciences.

2012 ASCE NW Regional Conference
Congratulations to CEE's Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge and Timber Bridge teams! The Northwest Regional competition (held late April 2012 in Seattle) for concrete canoe and steel bridge was preceded by hours of planning, design, construction, testing and practice. The team captains, Danielle Judd (timber), Kirsti McDaniel (canoe), Scott Williams (steel), and all their crews did a great job!

The steel bridge team came in third and has been invited to go to Nationals in Clemson, SC. The concrete canoe team built a boat that handled the challenge of a couple of 2+ foot waves created by a passing large vessel. The timber bridge design/construct effort doesn’t include an on-site competition, but demands the same level of effort.

WSU/CEE Environmental Students Place 4th in 2012 Competition
Civil and Environmental Engineering UG students competed in an environmental competition hosted by the Air and Waste Management Association in Portland, OR. Students designed a plan to implement a bridge crossing a large river between two states near wetlands, low income housing and industrial development. They addressed issues relating to economics, sustainability, water quality, and social justice. The team finished fourth out of ten teams and won $500. Pictured left to right: Dr. Marc Beutel (team advisor,) Skyler Chaney, Tyson Schlect, Chris Kilcup, Jake Saxon, and Jeff Collins. Jeff Collins also received an honorable mention for the "Black Banana," an annual award for high jinx during the conference.