Page 2 - CEGE Spring 2024

College of Science and Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND GEO- ENGINEERING
Message from the Department Head
Alumni and Friends,
I am so happy to update you on all the great things happening in CEGE this winter and spring.
Perhaps our biggest news is that Catherine
French has been elected to the National
Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the
highest honors an engineer can receive.
Cathy is well known globally for her work in
reinforced and prestressed concrete. She
has also been an incredible member of our department for 40 years where she is appreciated for her wonderful teaching and advising. She definitely speaks to CEGE’s strong legacy of excellence!
We also celebrate Randal Barnes who is a recipient of the Horace T. Morse Award presented by the University of Minnesota Alumni Association for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education. We’ve known since he started teaching that Randal stood out among the rest. It is wonderful to see him honored in this way.
More exciting news is coming from the structures group and the MAST Lab. You can read about the history and the promising future of this unique lab for large structural experiments on page 4. Our new One-Year Master’s Degree Program in Structural Engineering is also officially launched and accepting students for fall 2024.
And, if you are not thinking of coming back to school yourself, we have a new opportunity for you to help support graduate students in a practical way that will be used every day. See page 19.
This issue also includes lots of news—but it has moved. You will now find the news starting on page 14.
It is great to have you, our friends, alumni, and supporters along on this exciting and ever-changing journey!
With gratitude,
Paige Novak
Department Head
Joseph T. and Rose S. Ling Chair in Environmental Engineering
CEGE Spring 2024
Catherine French elected to NAE 3
Most Amazing Structures Lab 4
Warren Distinguished Lectures 7
EWB Professional Partners 8 Stories of Change 9
Our Village 10
EnvE Student Wins
BizPitch 12
News 14
Financial Supporters 18 Carol Shield, ACI Honorary
Member 20
© Copyright 2024 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. CEGE Magazine is published twice
a year by the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering College of Science and Engineering University of Minnesota
500 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
Merry Rendahl, editor. Layout by Printing Services.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Cover art: Catherine French, NAE Photo by Tim Rummelhoff Photography
Connect with us:
cse.umn.edu/cege
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