Fall is my favorite time of year and this year I'm getting in those last cycling miles and coming closer to completing the trails for the Fall Hiking Spree.  I hope you have been able to take advantage of the mostly good weather and get those final outdoor projects completed before winter arrives.

 

The University of Akron Student Chapter hosted the October Section meeting at Tangier.  Monica Moody, Student Chapter President, updated us on student activities, including the Steel Bridge Team and the Concrete Canoe Team.   It was great to see how our sponsorship of the Student Chapter has helped them to continue to run a strong organization and put on quality programs for student involvement.

 

Part two of the Section meeting program was a presentation by James Hillegas, University of Akron graduate student. His research project is to study the application of 3D printing technology to civil engineering applications, specifically bridge repairs.  He has faced a lot of challenges as he proceeds, but many of the players, including ODOT, contractors, and engineers have been supportive of his efforts.  This interesting presentation caused all of us to take a step back and think about how this new technology could apply to real situations in our own work.

 

Please mark your calendars for the next Section meeting, to be held jointly with the ASCE Cleveland Section on November 17 at Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, in Brecksville.  Our speakers will be from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and will be updating us on the Regional Storm Water Management Program, both planning and construction.  See the flyer below for details.  I hope to see a big turnout for this meeting.

 

One final note, if you haven't already, take the time to learn about the candidates and the issues and vote.  The Presidential race is getting most of the press, but many other offices are up for election, including judges.  Please be an informed voter.

 

Regards

 

Kenneth F. Kostura

Akron-Canton Section President