56+ Years of Genuine Ingenuity: Gresham Smith Expands Midwest Presence
From left: Dr. Ratna Chinnam from Wayne State University, ESD Fellow Jim Anderson, 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and ESD Fellow Dr. Nancy Philippart, and Wayne State Dean of Engineering Dr. Ali Abolmaali at the Annual Dinner. More on page 28.
Windsor EV battery hub in Ontario, a Gresham Smith project.
TOP 50 IN THE NATIO TOP 50 IN THE NATIO
The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked Detroit Mercy among the top colleges in Michigan and the United States, based on student outcomes, learning environment and diversity
The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked Detroit Mercy the top colleges in Michigan and the United States, based o student outcomes, learning environment and diversity.
IN MICHIGAN BEST COLLEGE IN THE U.S.
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER
FLEXIBLE & STACKABLE
OUR GRADUATE CERTIFICATES AND MASTER'S PROGRAMS ARE STRUCTURED WITH PROFESSIONALS IN MIND. ONLINE AND IN-PERSON OPTIONS AVAILABLE
SEE OUR GRADUATE CERTIFICATE AND MASTER'S PROGRAM OPTIONS
WITH PROGRAMS IN ROBOTICS, ELECTRIC VEHICLES, DATA SCIENCE, VEHICLE CYBER ENGINEERING, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND MORE
ENGINEER YOUR FUTURE
SEE OUR UNDERGRADUATE AND ACCELERATED PROGRAM OPTIONS
IN THE U.S. FOR OVERALL CAREER EARNINGS (GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY STUDY)
100% OF ENGINEERING & COMPUTER SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATES HAVE CAREER-RELEVANT PAID WORK EXPERIENCES
tech century
V.29 I N.2 Fall 2024
20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450 • Southfield, MI 48076 248–353–0735 • 248–353–0736 fax • esd@esd.org • esd.org
TECHNOLOGY CENTURY® EDITORIAL BOARD
CHAIR: Karyn Stickel, Hubbell, Roth & Clark
Utpal Dutta, PhD, FESD, University of Detroit Mercy
Linda Gerhardt, PhD, FESD
Richard, Hill, PhD, University of Detroit Mercy
Dana Marie LeFevre, Student, Michigan State University
William A. Moylan, Jr., PhD, PMP, FESD, Retired, Eastern Michigan University
Janice K. Means, PE, LEED AP, FESD, FASHRAE, Retired, Lawrence Technological University
Olivia Racette, Student, Oakland University
Matt Roush, Yellow Flag Productions
Rajiv Shah, PE, ACSCM
Michael Stewart, Fishman Stewart Intellectual Property
Cyrill Weems, Burns & McDonnell
Yang Zhao, PhD, Wayne State University
ESD BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT: Robert A. Richard, DTE Gas
VICE PRESIDENT: Marc Hudson, Hum Internet
TREASURER: Alex F. Ivanikiw, AIA, LEED AP, FESD, OAC Advisers, LLC
SECRETARY: Robert Magee, The Engineering Society of Detroit
PAST PRESIDENT: Kirk T. Steudle, PE, FESD, Steudle Executive Group
Paul C. Ajegba, PE, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc.
Carla Bailo, FESD, ECOS Consulting, LLC
Katherine M. Banicki, FESD, Testing Engineers and Consultants
Michael Bassier, Stellantis
Jeffrey L. Baxa, Barton Malow Company
Mike Boss, Dürr Systems, Inc.
Louay Chamra, PhD, Oakland University
Sean P. Conway
Ronald R. Henry, AIA, NCARB, Sachse Construction
Leo C. Kempel, PhD, FESD, Michigan State University
Dan Milot, ZF Group
Claude Molinari, Visit Detroit
Scott Penrod, Walbridge
Sergio Pujols, DENSO International America, Inc.
Trevor Sherts, Ford Motor Company
Kristen M. Siemen, General Motors
Jasmine L. Sisson, PE, FESD, WSP USA Inc.
Karen A. Thole, PhD, University of Michigan
Terry J. Woychowski, FESD, Caresoft Global
TECHNOLOGY CENTURY STAFF
PUBLISHER: Robert Magee, ESD Executive Director
MANAGING EDITOR: Nick Mason, ESD Director of Operations
Hello to all our readers! We hope you enjoy this issue, which centers on construction and design. Don’t miss our feature article highlighting over 56 years of innovation at Gresham Smith.
This issue also includes ESD’s 2024 Construction and Design Award recipients. In celebration of the awards’ 50th year, we feature an interview with Bob Washer, who offers insights into the selections. Continuing with our theme, we include an article on infrastructure and the implications of new federal and state legislation, as well as a piece on the infrastructure needed for the electric mobility revolution. Additionally, we explore how climate challenges are reshaping construction and design and the adaptations being made in response.
Our book discussion continues with ESD member Bill Moylan, who delves into When Science Goes Wrong—The Desire and Search for Truth by Guy Consolmagno and Christopher M. Graney.
ESD’s latest youth initiative, the Boys in Engineering Academy for sixth-grade boys from underrepresented populations, launched this summer, and we’re excited to share an article about it.
We are now accepting nominations for the 2025 John Petty Image Award, with submissions due by February 28. The award will be presented at ESD’s Annual Dinner.
Finally, we have a fascinating article about Cornelius Henderson, who is perhaps ESD’s first African American member.
Happy reading!
A ESD: WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE
s we look to the future of Detroit and Michigan, DTE Energy is proud to continue our partnership with The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD). Together, we strive to build safe, efficient, and economical buildings, systems, and infrastructure that not only serve our communities but also set new industry standards. Our collaboration embodies a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in engineering.
In this issue of TechCentury , we are thrilled to highlight the winners of the 2024 ESD Construction & Design Awards. These awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements in our field, showcasing projects that not only epitomize creativity, advanced technological application, and exceptional collaboration but also set new industry standards. The winning entries this year have truly raised the bar, demonstrating what is possible when owners, designers, and builders work seamlessly together.
Evaluated by an impartial panel of industry experts— including designers and builders—the ESD Construction & Design Awards are among the most prestigious recognitions in our industry. These awards have honored the exceptional teamwork and innovative solutions that have propelled our industry forward for nearly half a century. The awards emphasize the importance of quality and collaboration in every project by focusing on unique engineering solutions, sustainable design, and innovative construction techniques.
The future of our communities is built on the founda tions we lay today—as engineers, designers, and Detroit community members. The partnerships created, whether within these projects or within the ESD membership com munity, exemplify all of our commitment to excellence and our dedication to a brighter, more sustainable future for Detroit and Michigan. Congratulations to all the win ners! We look forward to the continued evolution of our industry. Together, we are building the future, one project at a time.
Bob Richard President, The Engineering Society of Detroit President and Chief Operating Officer, DTE Gas, DTE Energy
way DTE continues to support ESD is by sponsoring Linked in the D, where college students network with industry leaders, held on July 18 at DTE headquarters. Fifteen companies attended, and over 350 students registered. MEDC was also a sponsor.
Bob Richard
One
56+ Years of Genuine Ingenuity
F GRESHAM SMITH EXPANDS MIDWEST PRESENCE
or over 50 years, Gresham Smith has been recognized as an innovative and diversified leader in architecture, engineering, planning and consulting. Its commitment to providing full-service solutions has enabled the firm to offer unique, tailored solutions across various market sectors, including aviation, building engineering, healthcare, industrial, land planning, life and work places, transportation, and water and environment. This holistic approach to client services has solidified Gresham Smith’s reputation as a top-ranked design firm, delivered with their brand promise of “Genuine Ingenuity.”
Starting in Nashville, Tennessee, Gresham Smith’s expansion now includes 26 offices across 14 states in the southern and Midwestern United States. Recognized as the leading design firm for battery plants in North America, Gresham Smith also ranks as a Top 5 industrial sector architecture firm specializing in the Food & Beverage/ FDA-regulated industries, Advanced Processes and Manufacturing (mission critical/data centers), Mobility, and Energy sectors—collectively known as FAME. As a fullservice A/E firm providing professional consultancy services, Gresham Smith offers a comprehensive range of services—from architecture, interior design, engineering and consulting to site planning, commissioning and program management.
Diversification: Adapting to Industry Shifts
In the early 20th century, Detroit emerged as the epicenter of the auto industry. Over the next century, the internal combustion engine (ICE) became a hallmark of American innovation. However, the 21st century has brought rapid changes, shifting the focus from the ICE engine to advancements in performance, sustainability and delivery.
As electric vehicles, autonomous technologies and smart manufacturing have become new frontiers, Gresham Smith has embraced these changes, integrating cuttingedge technologies and sustainable practices into its projects while maintaining excellence in the firm’s established areas of expertise, ensuring high-performance and adaptable facilities.
Within Gresham Smith’s Industrial market, this diversity is evident in its focus on FAME projects (Food & Beverage/FDA-regulated, Advanced Process and Manufacturing, Mobility, and Energy). The firm’s expertise extends to the nuances of clean and dry room design, encompassing diverse industries such as data centers, semiconductors, batteries and other USDA/ FDA-regulated projects. Gresham Smith’s wide-ranging portfolio includes collaborations with top-tier battery technology companies like LG Energy Solution, AESC/ Envision, and automotive industry leaders such as General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and Stellantis.
“What sets Gresham Smith apart is our ability to build strong relationships as a trusted advisor, facilitating successful outcomes for the industry’s most critical and complex processes.”
—
Brian Miller, Executive Vice President, Industrial
Leveraging Innovation
Innovation is embedded in Gresham Smith’s DNA. The firm has consistently been at the forefront of technological advancements, harnessing artificial intelligence, cloud-based solutions and data analytics to drive design and operational resilience. This is driven by the firm’s Innovation Pillar, which fosters creativity among employees and encourages the development of pioneering ideas. The Pillar not only serves as a platform for researching and evaluating new ideas but also promotes concept development by bringing together staff with diverse skill sets for collaborative efforts and assists in refining and expanding the most promising ideas for broader use and impact.
service offerings, such as “automating the mundane” to compress schedules. The design delivery leader will also provide technology-driven solutions that integrate design with Building Information Modeling (BIM), enhancing the design experience for clients both pre- and post-design.
Gresham Smith’s commitment to innovation has led to the creation of several award-winning tools, including MPATH: Empathic Insights, which quantifies emotional responses to urban environments. The app was named as one of the winners of Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards. Additionally, the firm’s Move Metairie Tracking Forward, a first-of-its-kind train detection app, received a National recognition Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies in 2024.
In the Industrial market, similar to the automotive industry’s growing use of robotics for assembly automation, the firm is integrating design tools and AI into its processes. This includes the use of parametric design tools to improve the efficiency of industrial facility design. Currently, Gresham Smith is developing a battery capacity planning tool that allows clients to visualize their product or facility early in the design process. The tool provides details about site size, construction costs, and facility layout based on desired production capacity.
Another key component of Gresham Smith’s growth is broadening its scope to enhance the services it delivers. To help bring innovative solutions to clients faster and more efficiently, the Industrial market recently appointed John Jurewicz as its Industrial innovation leader. Based in the Detroit office, Jurewicz brings over 30 years of experience in implementing cutting-edge technology for large-scale projects and industrial campus upgrades. At Gresham Smith, he will focus on developing new tools and
“Smart information modeling is not the future—it’s the now ,” said Jurewicz. “Clients are using BIM to improve everything from training and efficiency to maintenance and asset management. Gresham Smith has the resources to simplify the BIM model at the turnover phase for our clients, making it easier for them to execute future plant renovations. As change continues to be a driving force on projects both during and after construction, the accuracy, availability and accessibility of BIM models is more critical to successful project delivery than ever before.”
Geographic Expansion: A Firmwide Initiative
A key element of Gresham Smith’s diversification is its geographic expansion. By broadening its reach, the firm aims to better serve clients where they’re located. Recently,
Using 3D modeling allows clients to manage construction more effectively.
In August 2022, the Gresham Smith team joined Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, state and local officials, and the Envision AESC team to celebrate the milestone groundbreaking of the new plant in Bowling Green.
“We’re looking to recruit the best and brightest professionals from across the state. We’re excited to welcome all positions within the built environment.”
— Charles Poat, Vice President, Industrial
Gresham Smith opened a new office in Denver, and in 2023 established an office in Southfield, Michigan, to strengthen its footprint and enhance its service capabilities for clients across Michigan and into Canada. These new offices mark important milestones in the firm’s expansion strategy.
Building on the firm’s regional presence, which includes well-established offices in Chicago, Cincinnati and Columbus, the Southfield office has experienced rapid growth under the leadership of Charles Poat, a vice president in Gresham Smith’s Industrial market.
“Our Detroit office exemplifies the firm’s diversification, given the different backgrounds and talents of our team and the diverse project types we’re delivering,” said Poat. “In less than 18 months, the office has grown from one employee to 20 professionals, with plans to reach 40 staff members by the end of 2024.”
Why Michigan?
Given its attractive business environment and diverse and abundant workforce, Michigan emerged as the next logical step in Gresham Smith’s geographic expansion northward. Also appealing to the firm was the state’s business-friendly atmosphere, low cost of living and robust global supply chain assets. Additionally, Michigan’s emphasis on available business resources and its eagerness to contribute to regional growth proved a strong draw for the firm.
Choosing Southfield as a new office location was driven by several strategic considerations. Gresham Smith’s longstanding business activities in the region made it a natural choice for establishing a local presence. Moreover, Southfield’s prime location offers access to a rich talent pool, respected clients, and a welcoming community that aligns with the firm’s expansion goals.
Detroit’s Resurgence
Emerging from bankruptcy in 2013, Detroit has mounted one of the most successful comeback stories of the past 25 years. As an active member of the Detroit Regional Partnership, Gresham Smith is deeply invested in Michigan’s economic resurgence, aligning with the partnership’s efforts to attract talent and investment to Michigan.
“There’s an enormous sense of optimism in the Detroit region,” said Poat. “You have to be an optimist to have survived the ups and downs this city has gone through. But like Gresham Smith, Detroit represents a culture of collaboration—it’s a defining trait here. There’s a true sense of team spirit, especially in the automotive industry.”
The establishment of the Southfield office and team represents a critical addition to Gresham Smith’s national footprint, enabling the firm to leverage Detroit’s talent and manufacturing legacy. Poat observed, “I believe our strategic partnerships will only further enhance our regional impact through our participation in urban development initiatives, collaboration with local universities, active engagement in professional organizations, and connection with the communities where we live, work and play.”
A Strong Company Culture
In addition to its commitment to delivering exceptional expertise to its clients, Gresham Smith’s award-winning culture is one of the firm’s cornerstones. The firm is consistently ranked as a best place to work across multiple offices, including its 2024 special recognition as #5 in the Large Employer category by Crain’s in its “Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan.”
“Our success is deeply rooted in a strong company culture that values the importance of maintaining a healthy
“We believe that loving where you work, who you’re working with, and what you’re working on is essential, which is why we foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and inclusion.” — Rodney Chester, CEO
work-life balance, which includes offering hybrid flex scheduling for our employees,” said Chief Executive Officer Rodney Chester. “We’re particularly excited about our new Detroit office. The city’s legacy as a center of manufacturing excellence and the presence of leading academic institutions means there’s tremendous talent in the region. Our goal is to attract top-tier professionals who share our values and are passionate about designing world-class projects that create healthy and thriving communities.”
A Responsible Business Approach
Aligned with its Core Purpose to create healthy and thriving communities, Gresham Smith’s commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives is an integral part of its strong company culture, responsible stewardship and operational philosophy. By rigorously
measuring its carbon footprint and implementing proactive strategies, the firm reached carbon neutrality in its business operations in 2022, marking a significant step in the firm’s journey toward net zero. Gresham Smith’s Sustainability and Resiliency Center (SRC) plays a crucial role in helping clients meet their own ESG objectives. Staffed with experienced professionals, the SRC supports all of the firm’s markets at the project level. The center provides expert guidance in areas such as adaptive reuse, sustainability management planning, commissioning, climate change and adaptation planning, energy assessments, and greenhouse gas and emission inventories, creating a road map for clients to achieve a more sustainable and resilient future. “Gresham Smith is proud to have achieved carbon neutrality. We look forward to helping our clients reach their own sustainable performance objectives,” Chester said.
Commitment to Growth
Having developed a solid team and led with a focus on the Industrial sector and the FAME diversification initiative within the market, the Southfield office anticipates future growth into new markets in line with Gresham Smith’s Strategic Plan.
“I’m excited to see the contributions our Southfield office makes as it grows,” said Industrial Market Vice President Michelle Wright. “The team has such a heart and a passion for their local community as well as the industry. As the office continues to expand in both size and its scope of services, I’m confident their enthusiasm and expertise will lead to transformative impacts both within the community and the industry.”
Rendering of Gresham Smith’s future Southfield office.
CORNELIUS HENDERSON
AN EPIC JOURNEY IN ENGINEERING
BY RASHID FAISIAL, ANITA MONCREASE, HOWARD LINDSEY, AND DAVID L. HEAD
C
ornelius Langston Henderson, born on December 11, 1887, in Detroit, Michigan, was the product of a remarkable lineage. His father, Rev. James Henderson, was not only the pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME/1886-1894) but also the president and professor at Morris Brown College (1896-1904) and Payne University (1904-1909). Rev. James Henderson married Cornelia Langston Henderson of Detroit, Michigan, in 1844, and together they had six children—Lorainetta, Monrovia (who sadly died in infancy), Deborah, James, Cornelius, and Ethwald. This strong family background, with its deep roots in education and faith, undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping Henderson’s character and determination and deserves our utmost respect.
In 1906, Henderson stepped beneath the University of Michigan’s new engineering building archway when architecture was officially recognized as a formal course of study in the Department of Engineering. He was unaware of the defining role Dean Charles E. Greene would play in his civil engineering journey. The prior University of Michigan graduates Willard S. Pope, Burham S. Colburn, John W. Seens, and Leon A. Paddock
Cornelius Henderson (above), likely one of ESD’s first African American members, was honored with a Michigan historical marker at Riverside Park near the Ambassador Bridge in September 2024. Great-grandson Cornelius L. Henderson IV, a U-M Civil Engineering graduate, unveiled the sign.
The Faculty of Morris Brown College, including James Henderson (seated on lower left side), circa 1900.
would reap the benefits of Greene’s steel structural bridge applied mechanics curriculum. When these Michigan engineers organized the Canadian Bridge Company in 1900 in Walkersville, Ontario, little did they know that Henderson, an African American alumnus, would become one of the driving forces in their industrial expansion in the Great Lakes region and internationally. His significant contributions to the company are a source of pride and inspiration.
Although alienated from studying with his fellow students, Henderson was the only African American enrolled in the engineering department between 1906-1911. A pivotal moment is when he registered for the University of Michigan Summer Session. Henderson was better prepared to tackle the complex mathematical engineering equations the curriculum presented. One of Henderson’s professors, Professor Albert Green (son of Dean Charles E. Greene), remarked that he possessed much better architectural design and engineering knowledge than the thirty-four graduating seniors because “Henderson had to learn his work without help.” Professor A. Greene was employed at the Canadian Bridge Company (CBC) and may have influenced Henderson’s future employment there. Interestingly, Dean Charles E. Greene played a key role in assisting Frederick B. Pelham, the University of Michigan’s first African American engineering graduate, gain employment with the Michigan Central Railroad, as an assistant civil engineer.
While at the University of Michigan, Henderson played the classical violin with Brown’s Orchestra in Ann Arbor. Where he met his future wife, a Washington, D.C. native, Gertrude N. Ewing, a 1910 graduate of the literature department. They married in 1914, three years after Henderson graduated from the University of Michigan. While at the University of Michigan, Henderson was a charter member
longer a record of when Henderson joined ESD.
remained one through the year of this death,
of the Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the first Black Greekletter fraternity, established in April 1909. Henderson was a member of the fraternity when renowned scholar Dr. W. E. B. Dubois received an honorary member status of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at the Epsilon Chapter House, which was located at 1016 East Catherine Street in Ann Arbor. Henderson was teased by his classmates and fraternity brothers about his nickname, “Corny,” derived from his mother’s name, Cornelia.
Notwithstanding his impressive engineering credentials from the University of Michigan, Henderson was unable to secure employment due to racial discrimination. Without complaint, Henderson walked the streets of downtown Detroit in search of work. Frustrated by the limited employment options in Detroit, Henderson considered taking a position at the famed Tuskegee
Institute, led by Booker T. Washington. His mother, Cornelia, discouraged him from taking the position because of the racial violence and segregation that characterized the South.
As fate would have it, Henderson ran across a fellow University of
Cornelius Henderson Senior holding his great grandson Cornelius L. Henderson IV. His son and grandson proudly look on.
Cornelius Henderson is pictured at center with Canadian Bridge Company organizers, including Willard Pope (ESD President 1901-02) and Frances McMath (ESD President 1903-04). ESD is missing many membership documents prior to 1967, so there is no
He was already a member in 1967, and he
1976.
Michigan engineering student. B. K. Bash, a 1909 graduate who was now employed at the Canadian Bridge Company. He encouraged Henderson to apply for an open position there. Upon seeking employment to Henderson’s surprise, he was hired as a draftsman in the drafting department. From 1911 to 1928, Henderson quickly moved up the ranks. From 1911 to 1917, he worked as a draftsman. From 1917 to 1920, he managed the stock department. Then was promoted to steel cost estimator in 1920 and remained in this position until 1928. From 1911 to 1928, Henderson contributed his knowledge of advanced structural steel design and architecture to a variety of engineering projects across Canada, the United States, and internationally.
In 1917 Henderson contributed his knowledge of steel design to the successful construction of the Quebec Bridge in 1919 which is worthy of mention. Following two fatal collapses in 1907 and again in 1916 when 88 workers lost their lives, Henderson joined the engineering project in 1917, contributing to his knowledge of steel design. The Quebec bridge was completed two years later, in 1919. The Iron Ring is presented at a private Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer ceremony and is still worn today by Canadiantrained engineers as a tribute to those who lost their lives during the collapse of the Quebec Bridge; it serves as a reminder of the obligations and ethics associated with the engineering profession. Rudyard Kipling, author of
The Jungle Book and The White Man’s Burden, wrote the words for the ritual.
In 1927, the Canadian Bridge Company won the lucrative contract to construct the Ambassador Bridge. Built to commemorate Canadian and American soldiers serving in World War I, the bridge would connect Detroit and Windsor. At the time of its construction, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world. During the period in which the bridge was constructed, interestingly enough, Henderson was elevated to structural engineer, a position he held until his retirement in 1958. Working as one of the chief design engineers on the Canadian side, Henderson oversaw the construction of the silicon steel towers and the concrete
TABLE 1: Notable Canadian Structures Cornelius Henderson Worked On (*Designated Historical Site) Structure
Alter Mack Copper Co. Canada
Ambassador Bridge United States/Canada (Detroit/Windsor)
Crossing. Busiest one in the world.
*Canada Supreme Court Building Canada Worked on the New Supreme Court Building
*Detroit-Windsor Tunnel United States/Canada (Detroit/Windsor) 1930 International Crossing. Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Site
Dominion Forge & Stamping Cp. Canada 1910(?)
Dominion Iron and Steel Works Canada
Edmonton High Level Bridge Canada 1913
Edmundston- Madawaska
International Bridge United States/Canada (Maine/ New Brunswick)
FalconBridge Nickel Co. Canada
Ford Motor Co. of Canada
General Electric Company Factory Canada (Peterborough) 1929 First all Welded building in Canada
International Nickel Co. Mill Bldgs. & Furnace Canada (Sudbury area Frood)
Noranda Mines Factory Canada (Rouyn)
Ontario Refining Co. Canada (Copper Cliff) 1913
*Quebec Bridge Canada (Quebec) 1917
Royal Air Force Hangars
(Trenton)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Headquarters Canada (Ottawa)
Second Narrows Bridge Canada (Vancouver)
Skeena River Viaduct Canada (over Frazier River)
Thousand Islands Bridge
Canadian Historic Site. Collapsed in 1907 and 1916. 88 lives were lost. Origin of the Iron Ring, “Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer” ceremony.
Site
United States/Canada (New York/Ontario) 1937 International Crossing
Table 2: Notable Structures in the United States Cornelius Henderson Worked on (*Designated Historical Site)
Structure Location
*Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. House
Bethesda Hospital
*Detroit Memorial Park Cemetery
*Dunbar Memorial Hospital
Fairfield Sanitarium
*Nacirema Club
Parkside Hospital
*Rosedale Park Historic District
Samaritan Hospital
St. Aubin Hospital
United States (Detroit) 1939
United States (Detroit) 1931
United States (Warren, MI) 1924
United States (Detroit) 1918
Michigan and National Historic Site
Black Hospital/Sanitarium Founded by Dr. Alfred Haynes, Sr.
First Black-owned Cemetery in Michigan
Second Black Hospital in Detroit and a Michigan Historic Site
United States (Detroit) 1931 Black Hospital for TB (Tuberculosis)
United States (Detroit) 1922
National Historic Site. “American” is spelled backward. First African American Social Club in Michigan
United States (Detroit) 1928 Black Hospital
United States (Detroit) 1917
United States (Detroit) 1928
United States (Detroit) 1931
piers resting on the bedrock, as well as the installation of the steel sections of the bridge. He is also credited with designing the Canadian approach to the bridge with its park and riverwalk, providing an unobstructed view of the Ambassador Bridge.
Henderson never received the credit and notoriety he deserved as a structural steel and design engineer. For supervising numerous major civil engineering bridges and building structures. Henderson contributed his expertise in steel design to the 1929 construction of the first allwelded steel factory in the United States, the River Rouge Assembly Plant. In 1930, he supervised the construction and installation of the steel tubes for the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. With advanced skills in materials science and engineering application, Henderson oversaw the construction of several bridges, factories, and buildings throughout Canada; he is credited with working on over 20 major Canadian structures, several of which have been declared historical sites (see Table 1).
Henderson was denied the opportunity to practice his profession in an engineering firm in the United
National Historic Site
Sanitarium for Tuberculosis. Founded by Dr. Ossian Sweet, a Civil Rights fighter
Sanitarium for Tuberculosis. Founded by Dr. Ossian Sweet
States due to racial discrimination. This did not stop him from contributing to Black history as an architect and structural engineer on both sides of the border. Henderson’s genius allowed him to go against the fundamental architectural philosophy coined by Louis Sullivan, “form follows function,” to develop his specialty of “function follow form” in the Black hospital revolution by converting a residence (form), into a functioning Black hospital, Dunbar Memorial Hospital in 1917. Dunbar Memorial Hospital was the first non-profit hospital in Detroit for Black residents. It’s highly likely Henderson played a role in Detroit becoming the “Black Hospital Capital of Michigan” when he designed six Black hospitals in Detroit.
During this period, Henderson was involved in community initiatives in Detroit, including serving as one of the founding members of the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (1919). He was responsible for redesigning the chapter’s fraternity house, “The Alpha House,” which was built in 1912 and redesigned by Henderson once the chapter purchased it in 1939. The Alpha House was placed on the National Register
of Historic Places in 2021. Henderson was a founding member of the Nacirema Club (American spelled backward) in 1922—the first all-Black male social club in Michigan. Henderson was also one of the founders and the designer of Detroit Memorial Park Cemetery (1925), the first Black-owned and operated cemetery in Michigan. He also contributed his architectural expertise to constructing and designing numerous homes in the Historic Rosedale Park District.
Rashid Faisial, EdD , is an Associate Professor and Department Chair at the College of Urban Education, Davenport University.
Anita Moncrease, MD, MPH , is president of Moncrease & Associates and Associate Professor at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Howard Lindsey, PhD , is the author of A History of Black America and a professor at DePaul University.
David L. Head is an historian, author, and founder of David L. Head Foundation.
The contributions of these recently deceased members will not be forgotten:
JAMES F. CONNELLY
Retired, Director Regional Relations, Electrical Engineer, Detroit Edison Co. Member since 1964
EDITH J. (EDIE) FLY
Retired, Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President, The Engineering Society of Detroit
Membership Department Assistant, ESD
Future City Program Assistant, ESD
Science Fair of Metropolitan Detroit Assistant, ESD
ESD Staff Liaison for:
Affiliate Council
Construction & Design Committee
Membership Committee
Senior Engineers Council
Young Engineer & Student Engineer Awards Committee
ESD Toastmasters
Ann O. Fletcher Award for Distinguished Service Joined ESD in 1987
Edie Fly received the Ann O. Fletcher Distinguished Service Award at the 2010 Annual Dinner after many years of service as an ESD employee.
MARVIN L. GREENE
Retired, Educational Consultant, Detroit Public Schools
Teacher/Administration for the Detroit Federation of Teachers
ESDF Committee Member since 1969
THOMAS G. JOHNSTON
Retired, Director, Supplier Quality, DaimlerChrysler Corp. Member since 1988
Land Donations Committee FutureLink Committee Member since 1966
LARRY R. ROSE
Retired, Detroit Edison Co. Member since 1987
HARVEY SCHNEIDER
Retired, Construction Engineer, Barton Malow, and Albert Khan Assoc. Member since 1980
NORMAN J. STEVENS
Program Manager, Energy Alternatives, DTE Energy Member since 2002
JOHN VALENTINE
Retired, Chief Engineer, Ford Motor Co. Member since 1977
JOHN JUREWICZ JOINS GRESHAM SMITH
Gresham Smith has appointed John Jurewicz, AIA, LEED AP , as the Industrial Innovation Leader in their Southfield, Michigan office. With 35 years of experience in technology implementation for large-scale projects, Jurewicz will lead the firm’s innovation initiatives, focusing on integrating advanced technology into design. His previous roles include technology leadership at Ford’s Dearborn Research Campus and GM’s Warren Technical Center. Jurewicz’s expertise spans various sectors, including advanced manufacturing and automotive. “John’s innovative approach will be invaluable as we evolve and deliver new services,” said Brian Miller , executive vice president of Industrial at Gresham Smith.
DTE NAMES YVETTE JOHNSON AS VP
Yvette Johnson , formerly the director of Major Account Services at DTE Energy, has been promoted to vice president of Electric Sales & Marketing. In her new role, she will oversee marketing and sales growth for key programs, including Major Accounts, Community Lighting, and Joint Use Business, as well as lead initiatives in economic development and electrification. Johnson has been with DTE for 39 years, with nine years leading Major Account Services, and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wayne State University, along with certification as an Energy Manager from the Association of Energy Engineers.
KEYS RECEIVES DONNELLY AWARD FROM WSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Marcus Keys , a recent graduate of Wayne State University ’s College of Engineering, has received the Howard A. Donnelly Award, recognizing his academic excellence, leadership, and community service. Keys is now pursuing a master’s in construction management while working as an estimating coordinator for Walbridge . A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he has shown leadership as a board member for the NECA senior capstone project and as a key member of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee in Detroit, significantly impacting community
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITIES RISE IN WALL STREET JOURNAL TOP 500 RANKING
Sixteen Michigan universities made The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. ranking of the top 500 schools in the country, up from 13 last year. The University of Michigan rose to No. 22 from No. 28, while the University of Detroit Mercy climbed to No. 43 from No. 52—the only two schools in the state to make the top 50. Michigan State University ranked the third highest at No. 60. The rankings emphasize student outcomes, learning environment, and diversity. The time it takes to pay off net tuition is factored heavily.
BARTON MALOW CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
Barton Malow is celebrating its 100th anniversary, marking a century of growth from its humble beginnings in 1924 to a multi-billion-dollar construction enterprise. The company kicked off its celebration with a float in Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and launched a centennial website featuring a video series and historical stories. The “Legacy Tour,” a mobile museum, will travel to various job sites, showcasing the company’s rich history and achievements. Barton Malow’s journey began with interior renovations for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company and has since expanded into new markets and geographies, continually innovating in construction.
FOUNDING PRINCIPAL OF RUBY+ASSOCIATES RETIRES
David I. Ruby, PE, SE , founding principal of Ruby+Associates, a Degenkolb Company, has retired after a 60-year career in structural engineering. Known for his passion for constructability, Ruby founded his firm in 1984 to provide specialized structural engineering services. He is recognized internationally for his contributions to high-profile projects and his authorship of the AISC Design Guide #23. Ruby’s notable projects include State Farm Stadium, Comerica Park, and the John Hancock Building. Throughout his career, he emphasized the importance of sound judgment in structural modeling. Ruby’s expertise has left a lasting impact on the field, and he has been a registered engineer in 36 states.
Marcus Keys
Yvette Johnson
John Jurewicz
David Ruby
Driving Change
Life – and business – is full of twists and turns. The Blues can help you navigate through this tough economy with affordable health care plans.
New plans, low premiums for you — around $250 per person, per month. It’s how we’re driving change in small business insurance.
Give your employees the protection they want without putting a huge dent in your bottom line with these new offerings:
• BlueCore PlusSM — New basic PPO plan with up to a 40% savings
• Blue Care Network Health Reimbursement Arrangement — New HMO funding option
• Blue Care Network $7,500/$15,000 high-deductible plan — New high-deductible plan
To sign up today or for more information regarding benefi ts and rates on Blues plans available to ESD members, call 800-682-6881.
ESD SUSTAINING AND CORPORATE MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
AECOM Hunt
AKT Peerless Environmental Services
Alberici Constructors, Inc.
American Cancer Society
American Society of Employers
Arcadis
AUCH Construction
Barr Engineering
The Bartech Group
Barton Malow Family of Companies
Central Michigan University
The Christman Company
Chrysan Industries
Clark Hill, PLC
Construction Association of Michigan
Cornerstone Environmental , a Tetra Tech Co.
CPCII
Dale Prentice Company
Dearborn Mid-West Company
DENSO International America, Inc.
Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau
DTE Energy
DTE Energy Gas Operations
Dürr Systems, Inc.
Eastern Michigan University
Electro-Matic Ventures, Inc.
Energy Sciences
Farbman Group
FEV
Financial One, Inc.
FirstMerit Foundation
Fishman Stewart PLLC
Frank Rewold & Sons
SUSTAINING MEMBER
BENEFIT PARTNERS:
Fusion Welding Solutions
Gala & Associates, Inc.
GHD
General Dynamics
General Motors Company
Ghafari Associates, LLC
Global Auto Mobility
Gresham Smith
GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
HED
Havel an EMCOR Company
Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc.
IBI
Ideal Contracting
Innovative Engineered Solutions, Inc.
JNE Consulting
Kettering University
Knovalent, Inc.
Kolene Corporation
Kostal North America
Lake Superior State University
Lansing Board of Water and Light
Lawrence Technological University
LIFT
Limbach Company, Inc.
Link Engineering Co.
LTI Information Technology
Macomb Community College
Maner, Costerisan & Ellis, PC
MEDA Engineering & Technical Services
Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University
Midwest Steel Inc.
Neumann/Smith Architecture
Newman Consulting Group, LLC
NexTech Professional Services
NorthStar Clean Energy
Northern Industrial Manufacturing Corp.
NTH Consultants, Ltd.
Oakland University
Original Equipment Suppliers Association
ROWE Professional Services Company
Rumford Industrial Group
Ruby+Associates, Inc.
Saginaw Valley State University
Savills Detroit
SMS Group of Companies
Stellantis
Step Up Recruiting, LLC
System Strategy, Inc.
Testing Engineers & Consultants
Tetra Tech
ThermalNetics
Troy Chamber of Commerce
Universal Compressed Air
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Michigan
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Vital Tech Solutions, LLC
Wade-Trim
Walbridge
Wayne State University
The Whiting Turner Contracting Company
WSP USA
ZF Group
ENGINEERS GET HIRED JOB FAIR
October 24, 2024
Employers: Find the talent your organization needs! ESD job fairs regularly draw seasoned and mid-career professionals, college students and recent graduates seeking full and part-time positions, as well as internships and co-op opportunities. Register by September 24 and receive a complimentary job posting.
SAVE THE DATE 2025
MARCH 12: SOLID WASTE TECHNICAL CONFERENCE
MARCH 19: GOLD AWARD RECEPTION & RECOGNITION
MAY 6: MICHIGAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
JUNE 2: ESD ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
Job Seekers: Connect with future employers and discover hundreds of job opportunities. Visit one-on-one with representatives from more than 25 of Michigan’s leading engineering and tech companies. Past companies have included Administrative Controls Management, Ford, AM General, Dürr Systems, Electro-Matic Ventures, General Dynamics Land Systems, Ghafari, Gresham Smith, Michigan Dept. of Transportation, NTH Consultants, Sachse Construction, and many others.
The job fair will be held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi from 2 – 7 p.m. Visit esd.org to register as an attendee or exhibitor, or contact Leslie Smith, CMP, at lsmith@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 152.
TWO JAMES DISTILLERY TOUR
October 25, 2024
Join The Engineering Society of Detroit for a technical tour of Two James Distillery, the first licensed distillery in Detroit since Prohibition. They produce handmade spirits using locally sourced products to align with their commitment to environmental sustainability within the craft industry. Located in Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood, Two James is focused on doing their part to revitalize the community. Join us for a special behind-the-scenes private tour of the distillery, including a whisky tasting and light appetizers. Member cost is $65. To register, visit esd.org or contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 119.
It’s not too early to reserve your space for our 2025 golf outing. It fills up early.
30TH ANNUAL ESD MICHIGAN REGIONAL FUTURE CITY COMPETITION
Competition Day: January 21, 2025
This fall, middle school students began work on the Future City Competition; a project-based learning program where students work as a team with an educator and volunteer mentor to design a city of the future. Students will tackle this year’s challenge: “Above the Current.” Teams will research new cutting-edge technology and clean energy to house people comfortably and provide everything they need in a city on the water. There are many opportunities to get involved and inspire students:
Mentors: Spend an hour or two a week between now and January coaching and advising a team. Share real-life experiences, offer technical guidance, and help translate academic concepts to the real world of engineering and city design. Contact Allison Marrs at amarrs@esd.org or 248353-0735, ext. 121.
Judges: Draw on your expertise to evaluate our team’s efforts. Judges are needed to review essays in December and January and/or to judge on competition day at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi to evaluate physical models and oral presentations. Contact Leslie Smith at lsmith@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 152.
Sponsors: Show your support for the next generation and increase business exposure. There are many opportunities to sponsor a component of competition day. Visit esd.org for more information or contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org or 248-3530735, ext. 119.
HONORS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
7 th ANNUAL ESD STUDENT WRITING CONTEST
Deadline: December 1, 2024
Attention college students: ESD’s writing contest is open to all Michigan university students in engineering or related fields. Top entries will be published in TechCentury’s Spring issue, and the first-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Fishman Stewart, LLC.
Topics include giving advice to mentors or students, encouraging STEAM careers, how past technologies impacted today, engineering ideas that were initially dismissed but are now essential, or your role in the future of engineering. For contest rules and the application form, visit esd.org. Questions? Contact Susan Thwing at sthwing@esd.org.
GOLD AWARD NOMINATIONS
Nomination Deadline: December 6, 2024
At a special reception each March, the ESD Affiliate Council (made up of 94 societies) presents its most prestigious tribute, The Gold Award, to honor an outstanding engineer or scientist. Each society may nominate one individual; all nominations received are then judged by a group comprised of past Affiliate Council presidents. The 2025 Gold Award Recognition & Reception will be held on March 19, 2025. Nomination forms can be found at esd.org. For more information, contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd. org or 248-353-0735, ext. 119.
ESD COLLEGE OF FELLOWS NOMINATIONS
Nomination Deadline: February 28, 2025
Help us recognize leaders by nominating a Fellow, one of the highest recognitions that ESD can bestow its members. Candidates are selected based on outstanding professional accomplishments, leadership and service. They must be members in good standing for at least five years at time of application deadline. Full details and instructions are at esd.org. Contact Heather Lilley at hlilley@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 120.
JOHN G. PETTY IMAGE AWARD
Entry Deadline: February 28, 2025
Are you or someone you know making waves in the engineering and technical professions? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 John G. Petty Image Award. This is your chance to honor those championing the cause of engineering through their exceptional contributions and inspiring efforts.
Nominees do not have to be ESD members. Nominators must be ESD members. Nomination requirements and additional information can be found at esd.org or contact Susan Thwing at sthwing@esd.org.
51 st ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN AWARDS
Entry Deadline: February 28, 2025
ESD’s Construction and Design Awards honor the three primary members of the building team—owners, designers, and constructors—and recognize outstanding team achievement and innovative use of technology. At least one of the primary members of the project team must be an ESD member. For more information, visit esd.org or contact Leslie Smith, CMP, at lsmith@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 152.
ESD HONOR AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Applications Due: February 21, 2025
Outstanding Young Engineer of the Year
This award recognizes a young professional under the age of 35 who has best distinguished him/herself in the engineering and scientific communities. Criteria include education, work experience, and professional and community activities. Applicants must be members of ESD.
Outstanding College Student of the Year
This award recognizes an undergraduate student who has best distinguished him/ herself in the engineering and scientific communities. Criteria include academic background, extracurricular activities, and employment experience. The winner(s) will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
Outstanding High School Student of the Year
This award recognizes a graduating high school senior. To be considered, applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA, plan on pursuing a career in the field of engineering or the life sciences and participate in volunteer activities. The winner(s) will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
Applications will be available in December at esd.org. For more information, contact Sue Ruffner at sruffner@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 117.
ESD STUDENT CHAPTER MEMBERS FROM MSU NETWORK WITH EXECUTIVES
In April 2024, ESD hosted a “Driving with Executives” event for the MSU Student Chapter at Top Golf. The event was attended by 36 students and featured representatives from five companies: FEV, DTE Energy, Ford, DENSO, and Stellantis. Participating companies received resumes from all students, who in turn received contact information to follow up with the companies. As a result, one student was able to secure an internship from the event.
MICHIGAN FUTURE CITY TEAM INVITED TO THE NATIONAL STEM FESTIVAL AND HONORED BY GOVERNOR WHITMER
The Michigan Future City Competition winning team from JKL Bahweting Anishnabe Academy was invited to Washington, D.C. in April to participate in the U.S. Department of Education’s National STEM Festival. The team was one of only 19 groups invited, the sole representative from the Future City program, and the only team from Michigan. At the event, Zach Weber, Deputy Director of Federal Affairs for the State of Michigan, presented the students with a certificate from Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
ESD Golf Outing
Thank you to all those who supported ESD’s 13th annual Golf Outing on June 3, 2024 at Oak Pointe Country Club in Brighton, held in memory of David A. Skiven, a strong supporter of ESD’s mission to encourage the next generation of engineers in Michigan.
Proceeds from this event fund scholarships for high school and college students, as well as student outreach efforts. Those include the Future City program for middle school students, our intensive Girls in Engineering Academy, and new Boys in Engineering Academy for boys from under-represented demographic groups. Additionally, funds help ESD Student Chapters at 14 Michigan colleges and universities with engineering programs.
The top teams on the Honors Course were Iafrate Construction, OCC Sytems, and Ruby + Associates Team 2. On the Championship (Champs) Course, teams from DeMaria Building Company and Sorensen Gross placed at the top. Congratulations to all!.
The Closest-to-the-Pin winners were Katie Dineen and Tom Braden on Honors and Alicia Washeleski and Zach Carroll on Champs. Longest Drive prizes went to Malory Benedetti and Ron Young on Honors and to Bob Henderson on Champs. The winner of the 50/50 raffle was Jesse Anaya from Iafrate Construction
For a gallery of all the photographs from the event, please visit esd.org/golf.
Sponsorships support ESD student outreach. The foursome from Arcadis, a gold sponsor, is shown above.
ESD President Bob Richard with his wife Dina (left) and ESD Treasurer Alex Ivanikiw with his wife Connie teamed up for a foursome.
The team from ACS were among those making the most of a beautiful day out on the course at Oak Pointe Country Club in Brighton.
A special thank you goes to Walbridge for their presenting sponsorship this year, which included two foursomes.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 GOLF SPON SORS!
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
DIAMOND SPONSORS:
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
GOLD SPONSORS:
ACS, Michigan
SILVER SPONSORS:
Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
Aristeo Construction
Black & Veatch Corporation
Commercial Contracting Corporation
Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc.
IMEG Corp.
Link Engineering Company
Pullman
RAM Construction Services
Ruby + Associates, Inc.
Tandem Engineering Group
PRINTING SPONSOR:
Jesse Anaya from Iafrate Construction won the 50/50 raffle. He is shown here between Robert Magee and Mike Ryan of Ghafari.
Jack Roma from RAM Construction gives a thumbs up.
A big part of the fun of the outing is the networking afterwards.
Empowering Future Engineers: ESD’s
Girls
in Engineering Academy Expands Horizons
ESD’s Girls in Engineering Academy held its eighth summer session, with over 150 middle- and high-school girls participating. The Academy has programs for seven cohorts (grades 6 through 12) that run concurrently.
This year, the month-long summer programs divided the cohorts among four universities: Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Lawrence Technological University and Oakland University. The
cohorts at the CMU campus spend one week of their 4-week program at CMU’s Biological Station on Beaver Island. All the students had industry field trips to connect them to working engineers and engineering leaders (see a list of sponsors whose sites they visited on the opposite page).
To find out more about the program, contact program director Dr. Gerald Thompkins at 248-353-0735, ext. 139, or gthompkins@esd.org. See more photos at esd.org/gea.
Fridays are industry field trips in the GEA Program. At Ford, students met with Lisa Drake (center), Vice President, EV Programs and Energy Supply Chain, who shared information about engineering at Ford.
Again this year, older students had an opportunity to visit Eli Lilly in Indianapolis.
Among the Friday field trips the students took this summer was one to BorgWarner.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE ESD GIRLS IN ENGINEERING ACADEMY SPONSORS!
SPONSORS
UNIVERSITY SPONSORS
IN-KIND SPONSORS
BorgWarner
DENSO
General Motors
Hazan & Sawyer
Michigan Department of Transportation
Plante Moran
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
At the closing ceremony for the summer program, some of the girls shared highlights of their experience.
A student shows her playful periodic table at the closing ceremony.
GEA Program Director Gerald Thompkins (center) with two GEA students at a special NXG Motorsports opportunity.
Building the Next Generation: ESD Launches Boys in Engineering Academy
This spring, The Engineering Society of Detroit launched the Boys in Engineering Academy (BEA), a groundbreaking initiative designed to mirror the success of its Girls in Engineering Academy (GEA), now in its eighth year.
The BEA is set to become a transformative space that empowers boys, particularly those of color historically underrepresented in STEM fields, to thrive in academic and personal arenas. With a curriculum focused on the holistic development of its scholars, BEA integrates rigorous STEM learning with a student-centered, hands-on, and project-based approach, making STEM education a powerful tool for personal and social change.
In 2017, ESD established the GEA to close the gender gap in engineering professions by fostering academic excellence and sparking a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among girls. Over the past many years, the program has provided middle school girls with invaluable resources, including math and science enrichment, mentoring, and exposure to engineering careers, laying the groundwork for their future success in higher education and the professional world.
ESD’s new BEA program will build on this model, offering boys similar resources and opportunities. BEA scholars will participate in various educational experiences, such as workshops in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
Arts, and Mathematics), field trips to engineering facilities, and hands-on projects. These activities will educate them about what engineers do and inspire them to pursue careers in this vital field.
The launch of BEA is partially supported in part by a generous contribution from Aristeo, a Livonia-based general contractor renowned as one of the nation’s top 10 in the manufacturing and renewable energy markets and the largest WBENC-certified general contractor in the country. This donation will specifically aid in covering the transportation needs of BEA students, ensuring they have access to all the enriching experiences the program offers.
“At Aristeo, we believe we’re here to do more than construction—we want to build strong communities too,” said Anne Aristeo Martinelli, Chief Strategy Officer at Aristeo. “Supporting the Boys in Engineering Academy aligns with our commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work. We are excited to help create opportuni-
ESD Boys in Engineering Academy Students visit Marathon to learn about engineering at an oil refinery.
Anne Aristeo Martinelli
“ We are confident that the Boys in Engineering Academy will inspire a new generation of engineers.”
ties for young boys to explore engineering, gain confidence, and see the possibilities that STEM careers can offer them.”
Dr. Gerald
“We are deeply grateful for Aristeo’s generous support. Their contribution will significantly impact our ability to provide transformative STEM experiences to our scholars,”” said Dr. Gerald Thompkins, Program Director of BEA. “The Boys in Engineering Academy is about empowering these young men to dream big and equipping them with the tools to make those dreams a reality.”
In its first year, the BEA accepted 20 initial applications from rising sixth-grade boys passionate about learning and eager to explore the world of engineering. The program kicked off with a four-week summer session, followed by an academic year program, ensuring sustained engagement and support for these future engineers.
“With Aristeo’s support, we are confident that the Boys in Engineering Academy will inspire a new generation of engineers, fostering both individual success and broader social change,” said Thompkins.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE ESD BOYS IN ENGINEERING ACADEMY SPONSORS!
In the program, students learn both CAD and coding.
Students work on math at U-M during the summer program.
ESD ANNUAL DINNER
The Engineering Society of Detroit’s Annual Dinner was held on June 26, 2024, at The Westin Southfield. Special congratulations goes to the recipient of the Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award, Tricia Ruby, Principal / Group Director, Ruby+Associates, a Degenkolb Company, and to our Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Nancy Philippart, PhD, FESD, General Partner and Co-Founder,
Belle Funds, and Co-Director for the Global Executive PhD Program, Adjunct Faculty, College of Engineering and Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State University. 2024 was a special year for the ESD Construction and Design Awards, celebrating 50 years of recognizing excellence and teamwork in the construction industry with awards going to owners, designers and constructors.
ESD’s Annual Dinner filled the ballroom at The Westin Southfield on June 26.
Nancy Philippart, PhD, FESD, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from ESD President Bob Richard (right) and ESD Executive Director Robert Magee.
Student chapter members from Michigan State University were among those who attended. From left: Balaji Ganeshbabu, Remy Van Wert, and Maui Baba.
Tricia Ruby Receives Horace H. Rackham Award
Tricia Ruby is the Principal and Group Director at Ruby+Associates, a Degenkolb Company. Throughout her career, Ruby has managed key business functions such as client relationship development, strategic planning, financial management, contract negotiation, strategic marketing, recruiting, corporate governance, and employee development. Her strategic vision has transformed Ruby+Associates, resulting in substantial revenue growth and attracting top engineers from regional universities.
From 2011 to 2023, Ruby served as President and CEO, strategically transforming the company’s operations and culture. In 2017, she restructured the firm around its six core services, fostering growth, enhancing technical excellence, strengthening client support, and providing advancement opportunities for emerging leaders. Her focus on developing strategic client relationships and increasing industry visibility has elevated the Ruby brand, culminating in securing the firm’s largest contract for structural engineering services.
In 2024, Ruby+Associates joined forces with Degenkolb Engineers, and Ruby assumed the role of Michigan Group Director as a Principal. Her leadership continues to drive the company’s success and influence in the structural engineering field.
One of Ruby’s proudest achievements is Ruby+ Associates being nationally ranked as a Top 50 Great Place to Work® by Forbes magazine in the Small Companies category in 2016. The firm has been certified as a Great Place to Work® every year since. This recognition reflects Ruby’s commitment to fostering a positive organizational culture driven by employee feedback.
Ruby is dedicated to giving back to the industry, particularly through initiatives that promote diversity and
inclusion. She actively participates in organizations that support women and people of color in engineering and construction. Additionally, Ruby is a passionate supporter of the Judson Center, a local non-profit human services agency serving children and families affected by abuse, neglect, autism, developmental disabilities, and mental health challenges.
Her professional affiliations are extensive. She serves as Board President for the National Council Structural Engineering Associations (NCSEA) Foundation (20242025) and as a Board Member (2023-2026). She is a Board Member of ACE Mentor Southeast Michigan since 2021 and has held various leadership roles in the American Institute of Steel Construction, the Construction Association of Michigan, and the Judson Center.
Ruby’s numerous honors and awards highlight her significant contributions to the field and her community. These accolades include the AFP Distinguished Volunteer Award, Crain’s Notable Nonprofit Board Member, EY Entrepreneur of the Year Michigan/NW Ohio Finalist, NAWIC Lansing Women of Impact, ACEC National Community Service Award, Vistage Michigan Soaring Eagle Award, Crain’s Notable Women in STEM Honoree, Tough Enough to Be a Girl Scout Honoree, DBusiness Powered by Women Class, Corp! Magazine Salute to Diversity Leader Award, and the Rhonda Walker Foundation Powerful Woman of Purpose in STEM Honoree.
Tricia Ruby’s leadership, strategic vision, and dedication to diversity and community service have left an indelible mark on the structural engineering industry. Her commitment to excellence and her passion for giving back continue to inspire and drive positive change.
Rackham Award Recipient Tricia Ruby with her family at the Annual Awards Dinner
ESD Annual Dinner Award Recipients
Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award
Tricia Ruby, Principal / Group Director, Ruby+Associates, a Degenkolb Company
Lifetime Achievement Award
Nancy Philippart, PhD, FESD, General Partner and Co-Founder, Belle Funds; Co-Director for the Global Executive PhD Program, Adjunct Faculty, College of Engineering and Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State University
College of Fellows Inductees
Carla J. Bailo, FESD, President and CEO, ECOS Consulting LLC
Randy G. Paquette, FESD, Retired, Senior Director of Design and Construction, Wayne State University
Mohamad S. Qatu, PhD, PE, FESD, Dean, GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, Eastern Michigan University
Young Engineer of the Year
Jagruti Dhande
Corporate Partner of the Year
Urban Science
University Partner of the Year
Central Michigan University
Outstanding Leadership Awards
Adam Larky, PE, FESD, Senior Director, Engineering and Project Management, NW Natural Renewables
Michael Ryan, FESD, Senior Vice President, Ghafari Associates, LLC
Distinguished Service Awards
Mohammed S. Alghurabi, PE, Senior Project
Manager, Michigan Department of Transportation
Tamika Banks, Principal Supervisor, DTE Energy
ESD Construction & Design Awards
Bagley Mobility Hub
Owner: Michigan Central
Designer: Strategic Energy Solutions, Inc./Rich & Associates, Inc.
Constructor: Devon Industrial Group
University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Expansion & Renovation
Owner: University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Designer: SmithGroup
Constructor: Granger Construction
Book Tower Development
Owner: Bedrock Detroit
Designer: ODA Architects
Constructor: Brinker/Christman, A Joint Venture
ESD Construction & Design Honorable Mentions
The Fred M. Alger Center for Fine Arts, Culture, and Humanities at The War Memorial
Owner: The War Memorial
Designer: ROSSETTI
Constructor: Frank Rewold & Sons Inc.
US-12 Wastewater Improvements
Owner: Pittsfield Charter Township
Designer: Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
Constructor: Dunigan Bros., Inc.
Oakland University — Wilson Hall Expansion
Owner: Oakland University
Designer: Albert Kahn Associates, Inc.
Constructor: Rockford Construction
The ESD College of Fellows gathered for a photo with their newest members: Carla Bailo, Randy Paquette, and Mohamad Qatu.
Thank you, Sponsors!
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
MEMBER BENEFIT SPONSORS
for more photos online at esd.org!
Distinguished Service Award Recipient Mohammed S. Alghurabi, PE, Senior Project Manager, Michigan Department of Transportation, with Diana Ross.
Girls in Engineering Academy Director Gerald Thompkins (foreground left) at a table with Academy students. Thank you to Urban Science for sponsoring the table so that the students could attend the dinner.
ESD’s Heather Crowley (left) assisting guests with name badges. Look
ESD AWARDS $22,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year ESD awards scholarships for outstanding academic and extracurricular achievement to graduating high school seniors pursuing a career in engineering or the life sciences and to undergraduate students who have distinguished themselves in the engineering or sciences community. Applications are accepted starting in December and are due in February each year. For more on the program, contact Sue Ruffner at sruffner@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 117.
2024 OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE YEAR:
Thank you to all of ESD’s donors, whose contributions make our awards program possible!
2024 OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF THE YEAR:
STUDENT PROFILE:
Sanjana Duttagupta
Eight amazing high school students received a $2,000 scholarship from ESD in 2024. All had impressive accomplishments—below is a profile of one of them.
Sanjana Duttagupta, a senior at Northville High School with a 4.0 GPA, stood out for her innovative app, RevealTheIngredient, which used AI to scan and provide detailed information on chemical ingredients, supporting healthier choices.
“Creating the app was a three-year journey that deepened my passion for computer science and its potential to make a meaningful impact,” she reflected.
Sanjana’s achievements extended beyond her app; she was a National Merit Finalist and received numerous accolades, including the NCWIT Impact Award and top honors at the International DECA Conference. Additionally, she was recognized for her solar cell detection project.
In her application, she shared that she planned to attend the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering to further explore artificial intelligence and its applications.
Olivia Racette Oakland University
Daniela Scagnetti Lawrence Technological University
Kristie Trinh University of Michigan
Sanjana Duttagupta Northville High School
Liliana Franzese Huron High School, Ann Arbor
Gabrielle Gray Roscommon High School
Austin Hinkley Big Rapids High School
Sage Johnson Mercy High School, Farmington
Sruthi Pereddy International Academy East, Troy
Sanjana Datla Farmington High School
Drew Dollins Clarkston High School
CELEBRATING
50
ESD CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN AWARDS YEARS
obility, expansion, historical preservation— these factors played a crucial role in the construction and design of the winning entries for the 2024 Engineering Society of Detroit’s Construction & Design Awards. Showcasing a wide array of project focuses, each recipient demonstrated exceptional creativity, effective utilization of modern technology, and outstanding engineering collaboration.
Evaluated by an impartial panel of industry judges, which included designers and constructors, these awards stand as one of the premier recognitions in the construction indus-
try. Unique in their approach, they honor the three primary members of the building team—owners, designers, and constructors—celebrating outstanding achievements and innovative technological applications. Initiated 50 years ago, these awards aim to elevate the standards of practice within the construction industry.
The awards emphasize teamwork among the owner, designer, and constructor, the quality of overall design and construction, unique engineering solutions, innovative construction techniques, and sustainable design.
Here’s a brief look at this year’s recipients.
Bagley Mobility Hub
OWNER: Michigan Central
DESIGNER: Strategic Energy Solutions, Inc./Rich & Associates, Inc.
CONSTRUCTOR: Devon Industrial Group
The Bagley Mobility Hub, located in Detroit’s Corktown and Southwest neighborhoods, is a prime example of innovative urban design and community engagement. This project is a collaborative effort by a joint venture of Strategic Energy Solutions and Rich & Associates, with Devon Industrial Group as the contractor. It is an integral part of Michigan Central, a 30-acre innovation district aiming to drive economic growth, enhance the quality of life, and connect the community to Detroit’s greenway network. The Hub exemplifies how modern infrastructure can be both functional and visionary, integrating art, technology, and sustainable design.
The Bagley Mobility Hub is more than just a parking garage. It features 1,253 parking spaces with comprehensive electric vehicle charging stations, e-bike and e-scooter stations, and an autonomous vehicle testing area. Public amenities include restrooms, free Wi-Fi, outdoor plazas, shaded seating areas, and ground-floor retail spaces set to be activated soon. These elements collectively create a space that is user-friendly and community-oriented, making it a central hub for mobility and social interaction.
A significant highlight of the Bagley Mobility Hub is its advanced rainwater harvesting system. Three 27,800-gallon tanks efficiently handle rainwater, utilizing a pre-filter mechanism and an overflow system for excess water. This sustainable approach conserves water and supports landscape irrigation, reducing the reliance on potable water. Giffels Webster employed sophisticated PCSWMM software for civil design, optimizing the stormwater pipe network for efficiency and cost-effectiveness while ensuring compliance with Detroit’s Post-Construction Stormwater Management Ordinance.
Designed with user comfort and safety in mind, The Hub integrates various amenities:
Heating and cooling systems for optimal comfort in all weather conditions
Strategically positioned call boxes to enhance safety
Heater lights for those waiting for buses or elevators
Public restrooms
Amazon lockers
Connections to the Joe Louis and Southwest Greenways
E-bike and scooter stations conveniently located outside the deck
Ground-floor retail spaces to enhance the community aspect
The Bagley Mobility Hub also serves as a canvas for Detroit artists, contributing to Michigan Central’s global art program. Three distinct art installations by local artists add a unique aesthetic dimension:
Senghor Reid’s Installation on Water Cisterns: Reid created an installation on the three water cisterns featuring textured depictions of major Michigan water bodies. This vinyl wrap installation along the Southwest Greenway aims to cultivate appreciation for water and local waterways.
Patrick Ethen’s Kinetic Light Sculpture: Ethen produced an abstract light installation in the south-facing stairwell, using neon bulbs to create slow-moving light patterns and a mesmerizing wall of saturated color frequencies.
Garage Cultural’s Community-Centric Art: Spanning a 97-foot stretch along Bagley Street, this vinyl wrap installation pays tribute to those involved in the Equitable Internet Initiative, highlighting the organization’s commitment to involving local artists and addressing community needs.
The Hub’s exterior is visually striking, featuring polycarbonate and perforated metal panels, a cantilevered halo canopy, and specialized lighting. Strategic Energy Solutions’ electrical design includes an advanced parking space availability system, which uses LED fixtures to indicate available spaces with red and green lights. The deck has an initial 13.2KV primary service to support electric vehicle charging at approximately 35% of its parking spaces, with infrastructure for future expansion to cover the entire facility.
The Bagley Mobility Hub is a testament to innovative design, sustainable practices, and collaborative excellence. It is a landmark in Detroit’s urban landscape, reflecting the potential of well-coordinated teamwork and visionary urban planning. By integrating advanced technology, art, and community-focused amenities, the Hub meets not only current mobility needs but also anticipates future demands, making it a model for future urban development projects.
University of Michigan School of Dentistry Expansion & Renovation
OWNER: University of Michigan School of Dentistry
DESIGNER: SmithGroup
CONSTRUCTOR: Granger Construction
The renovation and expansion of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry was a project driven by the need to modernize clinical learning environments, expand research space, and improve connectivity throughout the sprawling facility. This project aimed to address the outdated and disproportionately sized facilities while ensuring that the School maintained its top ranking in dental education.
One of the primary objectives of the project was to create a future-forward clinical learning environment. This involved adding new clinics equipped with the latest digital dentistry technology, renovating existing spaces, and establishing the first hybrid simulation clinic of its kind, the Advanced Continuing Education and Innovation (ACE) Clinic. These upgrades provide students with state-of-theart facilities to hone their skills.
A significant aspect of the renovation was creating a modern, flexible research addition in the middle of the dental school’s highly visible south entry courtyard. This addition supports collaboration and is the new home for the University’s interdisciplinary Center for Regenerative Medicine. Unlike many peer institutions that keep research behind the scenes, this project brought research to the forefront, showcasing the School’s commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The construction project was carefully coordinated and phased to ensure that the School of Dentistry remained open throughout the entire process. This involved adding new clinics, research labs, administrative and support spaces, seminar rooms, student collaboration spaces, and active learning areas, all while continuing to provide dental care to patients. The phased construction schedule allowed for minimal disruption to the School’s operations and ensured that students, faculty, and patients could continue their activities without significant inconvenience.
The renovation also focused on improving connectivity and wayfinding throughout the facility. The complex nature of the School of Dentistry, with its interconnected four-building complex and adjacent structures, posed challenges that were addressed through thoughtful design and planning. The project included the creation of a welcoming north entry point for patients from an existing parking structure, clear wayfinding approaches, and improved circulation paths for faculty, students, and the 191,000 patients who receive dental care each year. These
improvements have significantly enhanced the patient experience, making it easier for them to navigate the facility and receive the care they need.
Another critical component of the project was the interior renovation of three levels of clinical spaces. These renovations elevated the patient experience to match the quality of care provided by the School of Dentistry. Indirect illuminated ceiling coves were installed to provide a framework for patient flow, enhancing the function of the unique clinical environment and improving the overall patient experience. The overhaul of the interior architecture also created clearly defined circulation paths and student collaboration spaces, fostering a tight-knit community.
To facilitate the construction phasing, the project was divided into two distinct Design Release (DR) packages. Design Release #1 (DR1) included the north entry addition, renovation of the basement level, building shafts for core MEP infrastructure, and the base structure for the courtyard addition. Design Release #2 (DR2) captured the renovations of all clinics, the remaining work for the courtyard addition, and ancillary spaces. This approach allowed construction to begin on DR1 while the documents for DR2 were being completed, ensuring a smooth construction process.
The renovation and expansion of the U of M School of Dentistry also focused on sustainable design and construction practices. The project included hazardous materials remediation, upgrades to meet ADA accessibility requirements, and modernization of building infrastructure to reduce energy consumption. The research addition was certified LEED Silver, exceeding code minimums in energy use reduction and providing increased ventilation. Sustainable landscaping and stormwater management practices were also implemented, contributing to the University’s ambitious sustainability goals.
Overall, the project had a positive impact on students, faculty, and patients. The upgraded clinics allow the University to provide professional dental care at or below the cost of a private practice, serving patients across the state of Michigan who may not have access to dental care otherwise. The updated facilities also attract top talent from around the world, ensuring that the School continues to produce highly skilled dental professionals. This project exemplifies the University’s commitment to advancing health through education, service, research, and discovery.
Book Tower Development
OWNER: Bedrock Detroit
DESIGNER: ODA Architects
CONSTRUCTOR: Brinker/Christman, A Joint Venture
Book Tower, an iconic fixture in Detroit’s landscape, has stood tall for nearly a century. Designed by Louis Kamper in the Italian Renaissance style, this 486,760-squarefoot structure was Kamper’s first significant commercial design. For decades, it played an active role in Detroit until its last tenant closed doors in 2009. In 2015, Bedrock purchased both the Book Building and Book Tower with the vision of rejuvenating the structure through a forward-looking, mixed-use program that caters to businesses, visitors, and residents. This ambitious restoration project aimed to honor the building’s storied past while positioning it for future generations.
At the core of this project was a commitment to preserving the historical integrity of the Book Tower while integrating modern amenities. A striking example of this balance is the restoration of the three-story atrium, often referred to as the “crown jewel,” capped by an artglass domed skylight. This meticulous restoration effort demonstrated the team’s dedication to blending the old with the new.
Book Tower’s transformation includes nearly 500,000 square feet of diverse spaces: hotel accommodations, office spaces, residential units, food and beverage outlets, and more. This mixed-use space is set to invigorate downtown Detroit by attracting new companies, creating jobs, and welcoming new residents. The hotel and restaurant spaces are also poised to draw visitors from around the globe, enhancing the economic activity in the surrounding areas.
The revitalization of Book Tower represents a significant investment, with a project budget nearing $400 million. This budget was meticulously monitored to avoid scope creep and ensure the project stayed on track. The complexity of renovating a nearly 100-year-old, 486,000-squarefoot structure required a comprehensive safety program. Dedicated personnel managed complex construction activities, and third-party consultants were brought in to monitor environmental conditions and ensure the safety of the workforce. Procore’s Observations Tool was utilized for optimal communication and safety tracking, supplemented by the Telegram app for mass communications and a temporary PA system for emergencies.
The restoration of the historic art glass skylight on the third floor was a particularly complex task that required the expertise of the entire project team. The open atrium
space, spanning from the first to the third floors, had been filled in over the years to maximize office space. Bedrock’s desire to restore the atrium to its original splendor required reverse engineering the original structure using old photographs, sketches, and the remaining cast-iron frame. Femenella & Associates, a New Jersey-based firm specializing in stained glass restoration, was brought in to repair and restore the existing stained-glass dome and recreate missing sections. This intricate process involved cleaning decades of buildup from the glass and ensuring each piece was accurately reassembled.
The Book Tower restoration also included significant structural and acoustical work, particularly in the area beneath the 14th-floor bar and above the 13th-floor event space. The project team worked extensively to balance structural requirements with acoustical needs, ensuring the final space was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Lightweight concrete and precise leveling were used to meet the strict weight limits and maintain the desired acoustical properties.
The restoration of Book Tower is one of the most ambitious adaptive reuse projects in Downtown Detroit. It aims to create a cohesive civic vision for Washington Boulevard, bringing together people, places, and events. The building’s residents and guests share amenity spaces throughout its levels, including awe-inspiring entertaining spaces on the roof. The project adds forwardlooking, mixed-use programming to Detroit’s growing downtown, including public amenities such as retail, galleries, restaurants, and cafes, enhancing the pedestrian experience.
Throughout the project, Brinker/Christman worked with stakeholders to ensure meaningful participation from the local community, including minorities, women, veterans, and disadvantaged residents. Their Business Utilization and Workforce Participation Plan ensured that local firms and individuals had opportunities to participate, incorporating a workforce that included Detroit and Wayne County residents and Detroit headquartered and based business participation.
The restoration of Book Tower has breathed new life into an iconic piece of Detroit’s architectural heritage, blending its historic charm with modern functionality and ensuring its relevance for future generations.
The Fred M. Alger Center for Fine Arts, Culture, and Humanities at The War Memorial
OWNER: The War Memorial
DESIGNER: ROSSETTI
CONSTRUCTOR: Frank Rewold & Sons Inc.
The renovation of the Fred M. Alger Memorial Home, now the Fred M. Alger Center, showcases a successful blend of historical reverence with modern utility. This project aimed to respect the building’s rich architectural past while adapting it for contemporary community needs, emphasizing memory, legacy, and hospitality.
Originally designed by architect Charles A. Platt with gardens by Ellen Biddle Shipman, the home has a storied history, serving as a branch of the Detroit Institute of Arts from 1936 to 1948 and later being repurposed by the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association to honor the 3,500 Grosse Pointe residents who served, and the 126 who died in World War II. This dual purpose of memorialization and community service has been central to the War Memorial’s identity, providing a venue for educational and charitable activities.
Over the years, enhancements included the addition of Fries Auditorium and Crystal Ballroom in 1962 and the Center for Arts and Communications in 1993. The recent renovation, unveiled in November 2022, introduced a 25,000 square foot facility featuring a restored Crystal
Ballroom, new Colonnade Entrance, Reflection and Community Rooms, and a Waterside Park Boardwalk Addition. The design maintains the home’s Italian Renaissance influence while integrating modern amenities.
Guided by the principles of memory, legacy, and hospitality, the renovation juxtaposes historic design with contemporary aesthetics. The architecture emphasizes the connection between interior and exterior spaces, with expansive glass facades and masonry colonnades enhancing views of Lake St. Clair. The ballroom ceiling evokes the coffered effect from the original home, and warm wood tones link new spaces to the Alger House.
The collaborative approach, involving Frank Rewold & Sons and frequent architect field visits, ensured seamless integration of modern systems with the historic structure. The project also addressed challenges like flooding with new drainage and protective measures. The Fred M. Alger Center now stands as a testament to the successful merger of historical preservation with modern design, continuing its mission of community engagement in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan.
US-12 Wastewater Improvements
OWNER: Pittsfield Charter Township
DESIGNER: Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
CONSTRUCTOR: Dunigan Bros., Inc.
In 2015, Pittsfield Charter Township began modernizing its sanitary sewer system with the help of a Stormwater, Asset Management, and Wastewater (SAW) grant, leading to the development of a comprehensive Asset Management Plan. This plan revealed significant deterioration in a large interceptor line along US-12, primarily due to the corrosive effects of hydrogen sulfide gas, which had transformed into sulfuric acid, degrading the concrete pipes.
To address these issues, Pittsfield collaborated with Stantec to design a new gravity-fed sewer interceptor, eliminating the need for maintenance-prone mechanical components. The new system was constructed using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) pipes, known for their high resistance to sulfuric acid corrosion, making them ideal for wastewater systems. This project marked the first large-diameter open-cut excavation FRP sewer system in Michigan.
Stantec secured funding through Michigan’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) and coordinated with various public agencies to obtain necessary permits. Dunigan Bros, Inc. was awarded the construction contract, and the project
commenced in early 2022. Stantec managed the project, ensuring efficient and safe delivery in close collaboration with Pittsfield, Dunigan, and other stakeholders.
The project incorporated innovative design concepts to meet community needs while supporting future growth. By installing the new system alongside the existing one, continuous service was maintained, avoiding the inconvenience of bypass pumping. Rigorous quality control measures were implemented to ensure the highest standards.
The successful completion of this project not only strengthens Pittsfield’s infrastructure but also mitigates the risk of catastrophic failure, particularly at the critical juncture under US-23. Coordinated efforts with MDOT allowed for simultaneous construction of the new US-12/ US-23 bridge and the adjacent sewer project.
Sustainability was a key focus, with FRP pipes and manholes selected for their corrosion resistance, ensuring a longer service life and reduced maintenance costs. This project exemplifies sustainable design and execution, setting a new standard in wastewater management and ensuring a resilient, efficient system for the future.
Oakland University — Wilson Hall Expansion
OWNER: Oakland University
DESIGNER: Albert Kahn Associates, Inc.
CONSTRUCTOR: Rockford Construction
In 2024, Oakland University completed a significant 40,000-square-foot expansion of Wilson Hall, enhancing its role as the campus’s central hub. This expansion aimed to consolidate student services, including the Welcome Center, Tutoring Center, Disability Support Services, and Testing Center, making them more accessible and convenient. This effort is part of Oakland University’s broader Project SUCCESS, which focuses on streamlining administrative functions and fostering student success.
Located on Bear Lake in the heart of the north campus, Wilson Hall’s expansion was designed to increase connectivity to student housing, classrooms, financial aid offices, and the Oakland Center. The project involved extensive planning, evaluating the space needs and projected growth of 26 departments. The team, including Oakland University Facilities Management, Albert Kahn Associates, Rockford Construction, and PEA Group, prioritized these needs to create a student-focused environment within an 86,000-square-foot space.
The first two floors of the expanded Wilson Hall are highly accessible and student-oriented, housing essential
services such as the Tutoring Center, a Mother’s Room, All-Gender Restrooms, Undergraduate Admissions offices, and the Welcome Center. The design ensures easy access to services through multiple entry points and internal connections like elevators and a large stairway.
Security was a key focus, with close collaboration between the project team and OU’s on-campus police and fire marshal to ensure safety and quick egress in emergencies. The building’s design blends modern elements with traditional cues, incorporating large windows for natural light and expansive views to enhance well-being.
Sustainability was a cornerstone of the project, incorporating LEED principles such as low-VOC materials, energy-efficient systems, and waste reduction, though it did not seek LEED certification. The expansion was carefully situated to minimize its impact on Bear Lake and the surrounding biological preserve, emphasizing environmental consciousness.
The Wilson Hall expansion underscores Oakland University’s commitment to providing the resources and environment necessary for student success and growth.
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN AWARDS MARK 50 YEARS
BY SUSAN THWING
I
n the ever-evolving world of construction and design, few recognitions carry the weight and prestige of the ESD Construction and Design Awards. As these awards celebrate their 50th year, they continue highlighting the building teams’ exemplary work that transforms architectural visions into reality while pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability.
ESD Construction and Design Awards
The ESD Construction and Design Awards were established half a century ago with a clear mission: to elevate the standards within the construction industry. Over the years, these awards have distinguished themselves by recognizing not just the architectural design or construction prowess of a project, but the collective efforts of the three primary players involved: the owner, the designer, and the constructor. This holistic approach ensures that the awards celebrate projects that exemplify outstanding teamwork, innovation, and a commitment to quality.
Eligibility and Submission Criteria
Projects must meet stringent eligibility requirements to be considered for an ESD Construction and Design Award. Submissions are accepted from teams comprising an owner, designer, and constructor, with at least one member in good standing with the ESD. The projects must have been completed within a designated timeframe. They can include new buildings, significant renovations or additions, major engineered systems, and the restoration or renovation of historical structures in Michigan. The latter is particularly stringent, requiring original structures to be at least 50 years old.
Award recipients are invited to highlight their projects on boards displayed at ESD’s Annual Dinner in June.
Award plaques are presented to the owners, designers, and constructors.
C&D AWARDS
Submissions begin with an overview of the project and its significance, including any unique challenges or obstacles overcome. The judging criteria are meticulously defined, focusing on five key aspects: effective teaming, the quality of design and construction, innovative engineering solutions, sustainable design, and the project’s future impact on the community. Each aspect carries equal weight in the scoring process, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s merits.
Insight from a Long-Standing Committee Member
Bob Washer, a veteran committee member with over 20 years of committee experience, has seen the evolution of these awards firsthand. Washer has been an engineer for 42 years and an ESD member since 1986. He was inducted into the College of Fellows in 2008.
The decision of whether or not “this project deserves to receive an award” is a sentiment Washer holds dear, reflecting the dedication of the committee to uphold the awards’ high standards.
Washer’s background as a civil engineer and his extensive involvement with ESD have given him a unique perspective on the changes within the construction and design industry. He recalls his early career in the 1970s when construction processes were vastly different from today.
According to Washer, integrating technology into construction processes is one of the most significant advancements. Once cumbersome information exchange has been revolutionized with digital tools. This technological shift not only speeds up processes but also enhances precision and sustainability efforts. Washer points to the meticulous design of electrical and mechanical systems that minimize waste, a critical development in recent years.
“Everything from how they poured concrete back then to how it’s done now is unbelievable. But despite these advancements, the structural integrity must still hold up 50 years from now,” Washer notes, emphasizing the importance of longevity in design and construction.
Notable Projects and the Importance of Recognition
Washer has encountered many remarkable projects during his tenure, but a few stand out. He recalls the McLaren Greater Lansing Medical Services Building & Karmanos Cancer Center and the Lake Superior State University Center for Freshwater Research as particularly memorable, each offering unique contributions to their respective fields. The renovation of the Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit also holds a special place in his heart.
“It shows that Michigan is alive and growing,” Washer said, highlighting the state’s revitalization of historic structures. He recalls other notable projects, including the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Detroit, the McNamara Terminal at Metro Airport, and renovations to Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield.
When asked about the significance of the ESD Construction and Design Awards, Washer reflected on the value of recognition.
“It is good for the owner to be acknowledged and exposed to it. It brings focus to the designer and engineer and their work,” he explained. “The awards honor a project’s technical achievements and highlight the collaborative efforts that bring these complex endeavors to life.”
The Judging Process
The ESD Awards follow a rigorous two-tier judging process. Initially, two committees evaluate the submissions to determine which projects should advance. The final round involves a smaller panel, typically consisting of members from the initial committees, who conduct a thorough review to select the top awardees. This comprehensive process ensures that only the most deserving projects receive recognition.
As the ESD Construction and Design Awards mark their 50th year, they continue to serve as a beacon of excellence in the industry. By honoring the innovative, sustainable, and collaborative efforts of Michigan’s construction teams, these awards inspire continued progress and set the standard for the future of the built environment.
Bob Washer
The McNamara terminal expansion project at Detroit Metro Airport, a 2008 C&D Award winner, was among the many winning projects that stood out for Bob Washer.
ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
HOW CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING, AND DESIGN ARE EVOLVING FOR A CHANGING WORLD
BY SUSAN THWING
n recent years, the construction, engineering, and design sectors have increasingly grappled with the impacts of climate change. As global temperatures rise, weather patterns shift and extreme events become more frequent, these industries face new challenges that demand innovative solutions. From building resilient infrastructure to designing sustainable urban spaces, the need for climateadaptive strategies has never been more urgent.
Climate change significantly impacts building construction and design methods, necessitating adaptations to improve resilience and sustainability. Here’s an overview look at how engineers and designers are finding solutions:
1. Rising Temperatures and Structural Stability
Buildings must withstand increased heat, more intense storms, and varying precipitation levels. According to an art icle on Construction 21 International, the planet’s surface temperature rises by nearly 0.16°F each decade. In
a report by the EPA, Michigan’s temperature has warmed two to three degrees (F) in the last century.
Rising temperatures and extreme weather events can weaken structural materials and increase wear and tear. Construction materials can expand, warp, or lose moisture when exposed to heat. This is because the molecules in the materials vibrate as they absorb heat, which can change their dimensions. In cold climates, freezing temperatures can make materials brittle and more likely to fracture. Builders must also consider safety concerns. Heat can also cause heat stress and heat stroke in workers, so safety is a key factor that evolves with the temperatures.
To combat this, architects use green construction methods, such as sustainable materials and energyefficient designs, to enhance buildings’ resilience while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Flood Zones and Sea-Level Rise
The changing climate will likely increase the frequency of floods in Michigan. Over the last half-century, average
annual precipitation in most of the Midwest has increased by 5 to 10 percent. But rainfall during the four wettest days of the year has increased by about 35 percent.
Across the country, with higher sea levels and more frequent storms, coastal buildings are particularly vulnerable. Solutions include elevating structures on stilts, using floating foundations, and employing floodresistant materials like waterproof veneers and concrete. These measures help protect buildings from flooding and water damage
Engineers are designing infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events like floods, hurricanes, and heat waves. This includes building flood barriers, improving drainage systems, and using materials that can tolerate higher temperatures.
3. Extreme Weather Adaptations
Buildings in cold climates must handle increased snowfall and lower temperatures, while those in hot climates must manage excessive heat. Strategies include better insulation, efficient heating systems, and designs that enhance natural ventilation. In hot climates, reflective materials, strategic shading, and natural cooling techniques are essential to maintain indoor comfort without excessive energy use.
Engineers use advanced computational models to predict climate impacts and test infrastructure resilience
under various climate scenarios. This helps plan and design systems that can adapt to future climate conditions.
4. Nature-Based Solutions
Incorporating green spaces, like urban forests and green roofs, helps mitigate heat waves and manage stormwater. Trees and plants provide shade, reduce temperatures, and absorb rainwater, reducing the risk of floods. These naturebased solutions complement traditional construction methods to create more resilient buildings.
There’s a growing focus on sustainable architecture, with engineers incorporating energy-efficient systems, renewable energy sources, and sustainable materials into building designs to reduce carbon footprints.
5. Technological Innovations
Smart technology, such as programmable thermostats and real-time weather monitoring systems, can optimize energy use and improve indoor climate control. These technologies help buildings adapt to changing weather patterns more efficiently and sustainably.
Overall, the construction industry is evolving to meet the challenges posed by climate change, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and the integration of advanced materials and technologies.
Hard Work Builds Good Leaders. Innovation Builds Great Ones.
As a leading construction company, Walbridge understands what it takes to reach the top. And more importantly, we know what it takes to stay there.
Here’s to all the hardworking innovators who share our passion for this great city.
A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON INFRASTRUCTURE IN MICHIGAN
BY JOE NEUSSENDORFER
My first encounter with the term “infrastructure” was when I was the editor of a weekly construction newspaper, The Metropolitan Detroit Building Journal . Back then, infrastructure was a political “hot potato.” Then, Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young constantly complained that proposed new freeways and suburb-growing water and sewer infrastructure was a detriment to Detroit-proper growth and contributing to threatening “urban sprawl.” He fought any plans he felt would promote the suburbs over the city of Detroit.
From those contentious discussions, I began to expand my knowledge of infrastructure, by reading government and planning research reports and publications on the subject. Adding to that knowledge, was the invitation I received to attend a commemorative ceremony at the “zero milestone marker” located on the ellipse behind The White House in Washington, D.C.
That event recognized the beginning survey marker that established the national Interstate Highway System championed by then U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. My invitation to report on this event was extended by the National Society of Professional Engineers NSPE.
In ensuing years, I continued to write about new infrastructure announcements in Detroit and Michigan. Later, I was tapped by then Governor James J. Blanchard to serve as a member of his Michigan Infrastructure Task Force. That experience led me to learning about how funding was derived for big projects, by means of Congressional “earmarks.”
In 1982, I covered a meeting of the former Associated Underground Contractors (AUC) whose build -
ing was next to the Hubble, Roth & Clark (HRC) headquarters building in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. HRC is the preeminent engineering company whose name is synonymous with Michigan infrastructure projects. At the AUC meeting, I was introduced to Pat Choate, who had just co-authored a book with Susan Walter, titled America In Ruins: The Decaying Infrastructure . The book was sponsored by The Council for State Planning Agencies.
It was one of the very first of many alarm bells that signaled our critical infrastructure, supporting our national, state and local economies, was falling apart and needed to be rebuilt. According to the publishers of this book: “The authors assert that the United States is seriously under-investing in public infrastructure… for at least two decades, in both the public and private sectors, we have favored consumption over investment. Apparently, we have a genuine crisis on our hands.”
So, after some 40 years of neglect (other than acting piecemeal whenever a highway was shot or a bridge collapsed) the first across-the-board, bipartisan infrastructure act was signed into law in 2021. That was the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Over the past few years, the American Society of Civil
INFRASTRUCTURE
Engineers (ASCE) has issued state-by-state Report Cards on the conditions of each state’s infrastructure. Last year (the most recent) the Michigan Section of ASCE released its 2023 Report Card for Michigan’s Infrastructure in Lansing, Michigan. “The Report included 14 infrastructure categories, which received a cumulative grade of C-Minus, the same as the national report card. This grade is an upgrade for Michigan, which received a D-Plus in the 2018 report and is a testament to the additional funding measures and added prioritization the state’s built environment has been given by policymakers and industry leaders over the past five years. However, the report notes that Michigan’s systems still have a long way to go and long-term funding mechanisms need to be established to ensure the state’s roads, bridges, water systems, energy grid and more are at a satisfactory condition.”
Civil engineers graded Michigan’s aviation (C), bridges (D-Plus), dams (C-Minus), drinking water (D-Plus) energy (D), inland waterways (C), public parks (C), rail (C), roads (D), schools (C-Minus), solid waste (C-Plus), storm-water (D), transit (C-Minus), and wastewater (C). Information on the entire report may be obtained on the internet (https://infrastructurereportcard.org/michigancivil-engineers-give-the-states-infrastructure-a-c-grade.)
Moving on to a broader perspective of present government and professional activities and programs related to infrastructure. The following are noteworthy:
The State has established a Michigan Infrastructure Office. Zach Kolodin has been appointed Chief Infrastructure Officer. Kolodin states “with hundreds of infrastructure projects already happening across the State right now, it’s critical that we keep the pedal to the medal in order to continue delivering for Michiganders.” Additionally, the State of Michigan has formed a working Michigan Infrastructure Council. Ryan Laruwe is the Council’s Executive Director.
The city of Detroit has appointed a new Chief of Infrastructure. He is Sam Krassenstein. He is adept in improving operations and has a strong interest
in transportation and infrastructure planning and operations.
ESD members, no doubt, are very familiar with the architectural professions’ interest in providing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ratings for their client’s buildings, promoting sustainability. In addition, the American Society of Civil Engineers supports Envision, a framework that provides the guidance needed to initiate a systemic change in the planning, design and delivery of sustainable and resilient infrastructure. For Envision information and project criteria, interested engineering firms and individual engineers may contact the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, 1025 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 520, Washington, D.C. 20005. Their telephone number is 202-991-1190. The Institute’s Communications Manager is Conrad McCallum. He stated that specific information on his organization’s Verification Process can be obtained at their website: www.sustainableinfrastructure.org.
The American Society of Civil Engineers also has recently published a new “Standard Practice for Sustainable Infrastructure” (ASCE/COS 73-23), its first-ever cross-disciplinary standard. The new standard is available as an e-book or hard copy at its ASCE website bookstore (https://ascelibrry.org.)
In closing, your author encourages readers to spread the word about these new infrastructure developments. The Engineering Society of Detroit and its Affiliate Members are contributing greatly to the improvement and growth of Michigan’s critical, life-supporting infrastructure.
Joe Neussendorfer, FESD, is a member of The Engineering Society of Detroit’s College of Fellows. He is also an Affiliate Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and its Southeast Michigan Branch. He has written about and authored articles about Michigan’s construction-engineering-architectureplanning topics and news over the past 50 years. His website is: www.constructionanswerman.org. He can be reached via email at jneussendorfer@mindspring.com.
Edenville dam. EGLE photo via Michigan.gov.
PAVING THE WAY
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE ELECTRIC REVOLUTION
BY JAGRUTI DHANDE
As the world shifts towards a greener, more sustainable future, the electric mobility market in the United States is gaining momentum at an unprecedented pace. With an increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) hitting the roads each year, the spotlight is now on the infrastructure needed to support this electric revolution.
Current Landscape
Today, the United States boasts over 48,000 charging stations spread across highways, city streets, and private locations, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This network has grown significantly in recent years, thanks to investments from both the public and private sectors. Major players like Tesla, ChargePoint, and Electrify America have been pivotal in expanding charging infrastructure, making it more accessible to EV owners.
However, challenges remain. Range anxiety, the fear of running out of battery power with no charging station in sight, is a valid concern for many potential EV buyers. This anxiety is especially prevalent in rural areas and regions with limited charging options. Additionally, the variety of charging standards and speeds can be confusing for consumers, adding another layer of complexity to the EV experience.
Future Proofing for Growth
To accommodate the projected surge in EV adoption, the United States is embarking on ambitious plans to futureproof its infrastructure. In 2021, President Joseph Biden’s administration recently unveiled the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a $1.2 trillion investment package that includes substantial funding for electric vehicle infrastructure. This landmark legislation earmarks $7.5 billion for the installation of EV charging stations along highways, roads, and in communities nationwide.
The goal? To deploy 500,000 new public charging stations by 2030, ensuring that EV drivers have convenient and reliable access to charging wherever they go. This initiative not only addresses range anxiety but also aims to
INFRASTRUCTURE
create thousands of jobs in manufacturing, construction, and clean energy sectors.
The Race for Innovation
In the race to lead the electric mobility market, states are also taking bold steps. California, long a pioneer in environmental policies, announced an ambitious ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. The state has set a precedent for others to follow, encouraging a shift towards zero-emission vehicles.
Meanwhile, automakers are ramping up their EV offerings. Companies like Ford, General Motors, and Volkswagen are investing billions in electric vehicle development, with plans to introduce a plethora of new models in the coming years. This surge in EV models means that more drivers will be seeking charging solutions, further emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure.
The Impact on Communities
The electrification of transportation is not just about reducing carbon emissions; it’s also about creating more resilient and equitable communities. A well-planned EV infrastructure can revitalize neighborhoods, providing economic opportunities and improving air quality.
Studies have shown that EV adoption can lead to significant health benefits, particularly in urban areas
where air pollution is a major concern. By transitioning to electric mobility, cities can reduce harmful emissions and create cleaner, healthier environments for residents.
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead to a future powered by electricity, the landscape of transportation is undergoing a profound transformation. The infrastructure being built today will shape the way we move tomorrow. It’s not just about charging stations; it’s about building a sustainable, interconnected network that supports our transition to cleaner transportation options.
The road ahead may have its challenges, but with innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking policies, the United States is poised to lead the charge towards a greener, more electrified future.
Jagruti Dhande was The Engineering Society of Detroit’s 2024 Young Engineer of the Year. She holds a Master of Science in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan, Dearborn. In her role as Technical Program Manager at Rivian, she led multi-million-dollar electric mobility commercial and passenger programs. Beyond the automotive industry, Dhande is deeply engaged in community activities, serving as an author, mentorship coordinator, judge for technical committees, and a dedicated member of professional societies like the Project Management Institute and ESD.
When Science Goes Wrong: The Desire and Search for Truth
BY BR. GUY CONSOLMAGNO, SJ & CHRISTOPHER GRANEY
REVIEW BY WILLIAM A MOYLAN
My personal reason for reviewing When Science Goes Wrong: The Desire and Search for Truth is that I am a fan of coauthor Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ. We were classmates at University of Detroit Jesuit High School (class of 1970), fellow ’brass rats’ (MIT grads), and good friends and colleagues overall. Brother Guy is a great wordsmith whose many books and presentations offer amazing insights spiced with a wry sense of humor. As the Director of the Vatican Observatory, his monthly newsletters are fun reads (vaticanobservatory.org). This latest book by the Pope’s Astronomer is up to his superb standards.
The book When Science Goes Wrong may be short in length, however it is not a quick read. Reading the book, for me, was a thought provoking, challenging and humbling experience. Be forewarned—reading When Science Goes Wrong may cause emotional trauma and mental anguish for the thoughtful techie reader who desires to search for the truth.
As I was reading the subject book, I recalled a memory of completing my first year at Lawrence Tech. On an emotional high, I had completed the first of three physics courses (steeped in Newtonian mechanics) with glowing colors a full term ahead of schedule! With slide rule in hand, I vainly considered myself something of a young Thomas Edison ready to take on the engineering world. During the succeeding three years,
the science and engineering world transitioned to quantum mechanics and handheld calculators. What other facts of “solid science” and engineering “tools of the trade” would be dispelled, replaced and considered obsolete? By graduation, in place of my freshman bravado, I felt pangs of inadequacy, trepidation and humility.
This book succinctly identified what was challenging me as a young grad. Scientific knowledge and engineering principles are neither absolute nor static—as one learns more, one learns there is so much more to learn.
The book’s subtitle, “The Desire and Search for Truth,” proves to be the instructive and provocative solution. When Science Goes Wrong inspires the nerdy reader to be curious, persistent, and engaged. Curious in the “very human process of scientific discovery” (as noted by Dr. Bulinski in her review). Persistent (aka “the desire and search for truth”) in delving into the roller coaster of scientific discovery with “good humor and humility” (refer to comments by Dr. Lunine). Moreover, When Science Goes Wrong inspires us to re-engage in the scientific search for meaning without fear of questioning long held “truths” that prove otherwise.
“As an antidote to our penchant to treat scientific findings as settled facts, the authors discuss the scientific method, rightly understood as a gift compatible with faith in our search for truth and meaning.”
— Archbishop Emeritus Joseph E. Kurtz, Archdiocese of Louisville
When Science Goes Wrong: The Desire and Search for Truth is highly recommended reading for all members of the ESD community— scientists, engineers, students and STEM teachers.
“Departing refreshingly from the typically pontifical tone of popular science books, here are two experts who educate us on the ups and downs of the history of science with good humor and humility.”
—Jonathan I. Lunine, David C. Duncan Professor in the Physical Sciences, Cornell University
ABOUT THE BOOK’S AUTHORS
Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ, is a research astronomer, physicist, a Jesuit religious brother, director of the Vatican Observatory, and currently the president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation. In 2022, he was awarded the St. Albert Award by the Society of Catholic Scientists. He is the author of numerous books, including Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?: ...and Other Questions from the Astronomers’ In-box at the Vatican Observatory (with Paul Muller).
Christopher M. Graney is an astronomer and historian of science with the Vatican astronomical observatory in Rome and the Vatican Observatory Foundation in Tucson, Arizona.
“When Science Goes Wrong is an excellent resource for teachers, students, or anyone who wishes to examine how the very human process of scientific discovery unfolded through the ages.”
—Dr. Katherine Bulinski, associate professor of geosciences, Bellarmine University
William A. Moylan, PhD, PMP, FESD, DTM, is a professor emeritus at Eastern Michigan University and instructs in Construction Management. Dr. Moylan is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute. He also serves as a consultant, trainer, educator, expert witness and practitioner in professional Project Management and Construction Engineering. He is a member of the TechCentury Editorial Board.
BOOK SUMMARY BY ITS AUTHORS
The science/faith discussion is often hindered by a fundamental misunderstanding of the role and function of science. This misunderstanding was made most evident, with tragic consequences, during the recent pandemic. The ways that science has gone wrong, and the underlying causes of how it goes wrong, illustrated [in this book] with a series of historical essays describing ideas about the universe, planet Earth, and the evolution of life that were all based on ideas that were reasonable... but ultimately wrong. Some are amusing in retrospect; others are tragic.
Theology, philosophy, or even mathematics may lay claim to eternal truths, but in science our very cosmologies change. Just as the major religions have adapted in the face of changing cultural cosmologies, so too has science adapted in the face of challenging new observations and new ideas. Religions and science are strengthened by experiencing a shift in our assumptions; that’s where we find out what’s essential, and what is cultural baggage.
Ultimately, the point of our science is not to come up with the “right answer.” Both as scientists and as human beings, we know that sometimes we learn the most by encountering ideas that challenge us. When we say, “I know that can’t be right; so, where did it go wrong?” we gain a greater insight into what we do believe, and what it really means.
Air & Waste Mgmt. Assn.–East MI Ch. (EMAWMA)
Am. Chemical Soc.–Detroit Section (ACS)
Am. Concrete Inst.–Greater MI Ch. (ACI-GMC)
Am. Council of Engineering Companies–MI (ACEC)
Am. Foundry Soc.–Detroit Windsor Ch. (AFS-DW)
Am. Inst. of Architects-Detroit Ch. (AIA)
Am. Inst. of Architects-MI (AIA)
Am. Inst. of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Am. Inst. of Constructors–MI Ch. (AIC)
Am. Nuclear Soc. (ANS)
Am. Polish Engineering Assn. (APEA)
Am. Soc. for Quality–Greater Detroit Section 1000 (ASQ-DETROIT)
Am. Soc. for Quality–Saginaw Valley (ASQ-SAGINAW)
Am. Soc. of Agricultural & Biological Engineers–MI Section (ASABE)
Am. Soc. of Body Engineers Int’l (ASBE)
Am. Soc. of Civil Engineers–MI Section (ASCE)
Am. Soc. of Engineers of Indian Origin–MI Ch. (ASEI)
Am. Soc. of Heating, Refrig. & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Am. Soc. of Mechanical Engineers–MI (ASME)
Am. Soc. of Plumbing Engineers–Eastern MI Ch. (ASPE-EMC)
Am. Soc. of Safety Engineers–Greater Detroit Ch. (ASSE-DETROIT)
Am. Soc. of Sanitary Eng. for Plumbing & Sanitary Research (ASSE)
Am. Water Works Assn. (MI-AWWA)
Am. Welding Soc. (AWS-DW)
Arab Am. Assn. of Engineers & Architects, MI (AAAEA)
Armenian Engineers & Scientists of America–MI Section (AESA-MI)
ASM Int’l–Detroit Ch. The Materials Soc. (ASM-INT-DETROIT)
Assn. for Facilities Engineering (AFE)
Assn. for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST)
Assn. of Business Process Mgmt. Professionals–SE MI Ch. (ABPMP)
Assn. of Soil & Foundation Engineers (ASFE)
Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Assn. (AASA)
Biomedical Engineering Assn. (BMES)
Building Commissioning Assn.–Central Ch. (BCA)
Save Money on Auto and Home Insurance
Engineers and technical professionals are among the lowest-risk demographic groups. Because of this, you can take advantage of big group discounts.*
Construction Specifications Inst. (CSI)
Council of Supply Chain Mgmt. Professionals (CSCMP)
CREW Detroit–Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW)
Detroit Chinese Engineers Assn. (DCEA)
Detroit Soc. for Coatings Technology (DSCT)
ElectroChemical Soc. (ECS)
Engineers Without Borders (EWBUSA)
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Assn. (GLREA)
Heavy Duty Manufacturers Assn. (HDMA)
Illuminating Engineering Soc. of North America (IESNA)
Inst. of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Inst. of Environmental Science & Technology (IEST)
Inst. of Industrial Engineers Greater Detroit Ch. (IIE)
Inst. of Mathematical Sciences (IMS)
Instrumentation Systems & Automation Soc. (ISA)
Int’l Council on Systems Engineering–MI Ch. (INCOSE)
Japan Business Soc. of Detroit (JBS)
Mechanical Contractors Assn. (MCA-Detroit)
Mechanical Inspectors Assn. of MI (MIAM)
Metropolitan Mechanical Inspectors Assn. (MMIA)
MI Ch. of Am. Soc. of Landscape Architects (MASLA)
MI Assn. of Environmental Professionals (MAEP)
MI Assn. of Hazardous Materials Managers (MI-AHMP)
MI Chemistry Council (MCC)
MI Interfaith Power & Light (MIPL)
MI Intellectual Property Law Assn. (MIPLA)
MI Rural Water Assn. (MRWA)
MI Soc. for Clinical Engineering (MSCE)
MI Soc. of Professional Engineers (MSPE)
MI Soc. of Professional Surveyors (MSPS)
MI Water Environment Assn. (MWEA)
MI!/usr/group (MUGORG)
National Assn. of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)
National Assn. of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
Nat. Soc. of Black Engineers–Detroit Alumni Extension (NSBE-DAE)
Net Impact Southeastern MI (NISEM)
North Am. Soc. of Chinese Automotive Engineers (NACSAE)
Project Mgmt. Inst.–Great Lakes Ch. (PMI)
SAE Detroit Section (SAE-Detroit Section)
SAE Mid MI (SAE-Mid MI)
SAE Int’l (SAE-Intl)
Safety Council for SE MI (SCSM)
Saginaw Valley Engineering Council (SVEC)
Soc. for Industrial & Applied Mathematics–Gr. Lakes Sec. (SIAM)
Soc. for Marketing Professional Services–MI (SMPS)
Soc. of Am. Military Engineers (SAME)
Soc. of Am. Value Engineers–Greater MI Ch. (SAVE-GMC)
Soc. of Applied Engineering Sciences (SAES)
Soc. of Fire Protection Engineers–MI Ch. (SFPE)
Soc. of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Soc. of Manufacturers’ Representatives (SMR)
Soc. of Manufacturing Engineers–Detroit Ch. No. One (SME)
Soc. of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
Soc. of Plastics Engineers–Automotive Division (SPEA)
Soc. of Plastics Engineers–Detroit (SPE-DETROIT)
Soc. of Tribologists & Lubrication Engineers (STLE)
Soc. of Women Engineers (SWE)
SE MI Facility & Power Plant Engineers Soc. (SEMPPES)
SE MI Soc. for Healthcare Engineering (SMSHE)
SE MI Sustainable Business Forum (SMSBF)
Southeastern MI Computer Organization, Inc. (SEMCO)
Structural Engineers Assn. of MI–Am. Inst. of Steel Const. (SEAMi)
Student Environmental Assn.–University of MI, Dearborn (SEA-UMD)
TiE–The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)
U.S. Green Building Council–Detroit Regional Ch. (USGBC-DRC)
United States Army (USARMY)
United States Navy (USNAVY)
A Top - 5 Ranked Industrial Design Firm
North America’s Leading Battery Plant Designer 91 % Repeat Customer Rate
