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ASCE YM’s and Students Participate in Habitat for Humanity Project
The ASCE Younger Member group and Southern’s ASCE student chapter joined LSU-ASCE in a Habitat for Humanity service project on
November 1, 2008. Sarah Laakso, the community service chair for LSU-ASCE, organized the service project and the younger members were eager to show their support of the student chapter. There was tremendous turnout, beautiful weather, and hours of fun working on two houses for two very deserving families.
The houses were located in Rosewood Subdivision on Elvin Drive (near Burbank Dr. and Bluebonnet Blvd.). The two houses were prepared for painting by washing the siding, caulking the joints, and priming. It was hard work but it definitely paid off. The Habitat for Humanity staff was extremely appreciative of the effort and impressed with the positive attitudes.
ASCE Food Drive on November 20th
The ASCE Baton Rouge Branch will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Baton Rouge Food Bank at its November lunchoen. We would like to encourage all members attending the luncheon to make a donation. Members who bring 3 or more items will be entered into a drawing for a door prize.
Annual Baton Rouge Branch Christmas Party
The Baton Rouge Branch will hold its annual Christmas Party on
December 5th, 2008. Due to renovations from Hurricane Gustav, the location of the Christmas has been moved to the Baton Rouge Country Club (8551 Jefferson Hwy; on Jefferson at Essen). The party will be from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served.
2008-2009 Baton Rouge Branch Board Sworn InThe 2008-2009 Baton Rouge Branch Board members were officially sworn in during the lunch meeting held on
September 18, 2008. The ceremony was conducted by Mr. Charlie Eustis. The new board members are listed below. Additional information on these individuals can be found on the Baton Rouge Branch website at:
http://www.ascebr.org/yourboard.aspx 2008-2009 ASCE-BR Board Billy Wall, P.E. - President
Jeff Duplantis, MS, P.E. - President Elect
Adam Smith, P.E. - Vice President
Clint Willson, PhD, P.E. - Secretary/Treasurer
Rudy Simoneaux, E.I. - Director
Joey Coco, P.E. - Director
2008 Louisiana Section Awards The Louisiana Section through its awards program annually recognizes its members who by their example are considered outstanding by their peers in their careers and service to the engineering profession and their communities. The nominations originate from the branches and the selections are made by the Special Activities and Awards Committee; a standing committee of the Section. The following Baton Rouge Branch Members received awards at the Section meeting Shreveport on
September 19, 2008:
• C. Carter Brown, P.E., Wall of Fame Award
• Gordon P. Boutwell, Ph.D., P.E., Lifetime Achievement Award
• Kim Martindale Garlington, P.E., Outstanding Government Civil Engineer Award
• George Voyiadjis, Ph.D, P.E., Educator of the Year Award
• Rudolph A. Simoneaux, III, E.I., Outstanding Young Government Civil Engineer Award
• Christopher P. Knotts, P.E., President’s Medal Award
President’s Message-December 2008Happy Holidays from your ASCE Baton Rouge Branch.
“As a nation we ended the past year with historic events, both economically and politically. After many years of advocating for investment in our nation’s infrastructure, we look forward to a new year in which we will welcome a U.S. president who promises to place infrastructure renewal at the forefront of domestic issues. We hope to achieve early adoption of an economic stimulus measure that will improve infrastructure, provide jobs and lay the foundation for a prosperous future for our country. ASCE members and those who work with us can take pride in their role in educating the public and policy leaders about the importance of infrastructure to our nation’s safety and economic security.”This is part of a special message from our National President and Executive Director. For the entire message, visit the ASCE National website at
http://www.asce.org/asce.cfm.
As a Branch, Section and Nation we will face some interesting challenges this next year. But by working together, we can meet these challenges head on and make a difference. I would like to thank everyone for their involvement in ASCE this year and hope that member involvement will only grow in 2009. As 2008 comes to an end, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday Season.
-Billy Wall, President
2008 News President’s Message-November 2008As I assume the reigns as President of the Baton Rouge Branch I would like to thank our immediate past president, Bob Jacobsen, for his leadership this past year. Looking ahead to the coming year, one of my goals is to increase our membership. As we start this year I would like to encourage everyone to invite just one person to our luncheon. This will help show our guest the various benefits that an ASCE membership can provide. Another goal I have is to promote the profession. With the help of the board members and the members of ASCE we can make this a great year. -Billy Wall, President
Message from Baton Rouge Branch President Bob Jacobsen, P.E.Nominations for the 2008 Baton Rouge Branch Board of Directors are being accepted from now to
August 28. Please contact past-president Brant Richard at
RichardBrant@stanelygroup.com.
The Baton Rouge Branch is pleased to announce the following Nominees for 2008 Louisiana Section Awards:
• C. Carter Brown, P.E., Wall of Fame
• Gordon P. Boutwell, Ph.D., P.E., Lifetime Achievement
• Billy R. Prochaska, P.E., Outstanding Civil Engineer
• Kim Martindale Garlington, P.E., Outstanding Government Civil Engineer
• George Voyiadjis, Ph.D, P.E., Educator of the Year
• Jeffrey L. Duplantis, P.E., Ourtreach Award
• Adam M. Smith, P.E., Outstanding Young Civil Engineer
• Rudolph A. Simoneaux, III, E.I., Outstanding Young Government Civil Engineer
The winners wil be announced at the 2008 Fall Section Banquet and the results will be posted in Fall Issue of Louisiana Civil Engineer.
Water Infrastructure Security Enhancement (WISE) WorkshopsASCE, along with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA), has joined efforts to support the improvement of our nation's water and wastewater security. Funded by EPA, these organizations have developed a series of voluntary guidelines under the Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements (WISE) project. ASCE welcomes all water and wastewater industry professionals to join us for free half-day workshops nationwide to train on these guidelines prepared to help secure our nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure. For information on workshop agenda, dates, locations, and free registration, visit
http://content.asce.org/conferences/wise2008.
2008 Louisiana Coastal Engineering ConferenceRegistration for the 2008 Louisiana Coastal Engineering Conference is CLOSED. Any registration forms received after May 15th will not be granted entry to the conference. Message from Louisiana Section President E.R. DesOrmeaux, P.E.2008 ASCE Louisiana Section Spring Conference:The Annual ASCE Louisiana Section Spring Conference will be held in Lafayette, LA on
April 16-18. Be sure to
register ASAP.
Baton Rouge Branch President Makes Channel 9 Morning Show Appearance:On
Tuesday, February 19, Baton Rouge Branch President Bob Jacobsen and Tracy Portle from Volunteers in Public Schools were guests on the WAFB 9 News This Morning Show. Bob and Tracy discussed the Branch’s recent contribution to Volunteers in Public Schools and the organization’s role in the community. Bob also discussed Engineer’s Week and ASCE’s contribution to this annual event.
2008 Deep South ASCE Regional Conference:On
April 3rd – 5th, 2008, the LSU Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers will be hosting the 2008 Deep South ASCE Regional Conference. This event includes the Steel Bridge and Concrete Canoe competitions. Other student competitions will also be held. The Student Chapter is currently in need of judges for all events. For more information on the conference and judging, see
the brochureASCE-BR to Air Add Promoting Civil Engineering:
January 30th, 2008
The Baton Rouge Branch will be running the video titled “Zoom into Engineering”, previously prepared by the Acadiana Branch, to reach the elementary and middle school students and their parents in Baton Rouge The Branch plans to run this video on local cable television channels during National Engineers Week — It is the goal of the Branch and this video to inform these students and their parents in order to attract future generations of civil engineers who may not otherwise consider this profession as a viable career choice. Unfortunately, many young people and/or their parents do not know or understand what civil engineering is or what civil engineers do.
This video highlights some of the many fields and opportunities associated with civil engineering thereby satisfying the Branch’s objective to place the term civil engineering into the mainstream of public discourse and make it a household word. This opens the opportunities for students who may otherwise never hear of or appreciate civil engineering as a profession. It comes at a critical stage in their education when they need to consider and begin preparing for an education and career in civil engineering.
February, 2008In celebration of National Engineer’s Week, there will be no luncheon during the month of February. For more information on this event visit the
E-Week website. Also, be sure to check the new E-Week billboard located along I-10 East near College Drive. This billboard was paid for by the Baton Rouge Branch with its annual State Public Affairs Grant.
2007 News November 8th, 2007 The annual ASCE Baton Rouge Branch Christmas party will be held on Friday, December 7th at the Bocage Racquet Club. Invitations will be mailed out in the next couple of weeks. If you or your company would like to sponsor this year’s Christmas Party, please email Billy Wall at
billy.wall@la.gov.
November 6th, 2007The ASCE Baton Rouge Branch designated three ASCE members as Practitioner Advisors for the LSU and Southern student chapters. The success of these student organizations is important to the Branch and the Baton Rouge civil engineering community. These individuals will serve as vital liaisons between the Branch and each student chapter. The new Practitioner Advisors are Dain Gillen, Chad Stevens, and Samuel Amoroso.
September 20, 2007
The newly elected Board Members of the Baton Rouge Branch were installed during the September monthly luncheon. The Board was formerly sworn in by Mr. Charlie Eustis, P.E. of Louis J. Capozzoli, & Assoc. A short bio for each new Board member can be found at
2007-2008 Board Nominees
July 18, 2007
Nominations are now open for your Baton Rouge Board positions. Current nominees can be found at
2007-2008 Board Nominees. For information on placing other names in nomination contact Brant, Richard at
RichardBrant@stanleygroup.com
July 5, 2007
July President's Message
May 23, 2007
Letter from ASCE President Marcuson
re 501c6 Issue
April 17, 2007
ASCE Leadership Development for the Engineer Seminar in New Orleans May 17-18.
Seminar details here.
April 9, 2007
April President's Message
Feb 16, 2007
There’s still time to nominate a deserving engineer for several of this years prestigious professional awards: John I. Parcel-Leif J. Sverdrup Civil Engineering Management Award Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award Civil Government Award Government Civil Engineer of the Year Award If you’re interested in nominating someone please
click here.
Feb 13, 2007
Remember February 18 through 24 is NATIONAL ENGINEER’S WEEK!
Feb 12, 2007
Baton Rouge Branch President and SU Sponsor Appear on WAFB: Bright and early Monday, February 12, Brant Richard and Yvette Weatherton were on Baton Rouge TV to promote Engineer’s Week. Hope you had a chance to watch our two “Stars”. Not bad for 6:15 a.m.!
2006 News - September -December News2007 President's Messages -
January 2007 - July 20072006 President's Messages -
October 2006