New fund to honour David Turcke

Civil Engineering fund to honour David Turcke

The newly launched David J. Turcke Building Partnerships Fund in Civil Engineering recognizes one of the Faculty’s most distinguished leaders. Turcke, head of Civil Engineering from 1995 to 2005, emphasized industry partnerships as he shaped the department into one of the most successful in the country.

“The fund is a good way of remembering the substantial impact that Dave had on developing strong links with our many industrial partners,” says Dr. Kent Novakowski, Department Head of Civil Engineering. “Dave was our leader when resources were low and brought in many key industrial players from a variety of sectors, including structural design, municipal engineering, environmental consulting, coastal engineering and geotechnical design.”

Novakowski and Professor Mark Green established the fund to honour Turcke’s contributions. “Dave lived by the axiom ‘Do what makes you happy, find your passion; the rest will fall into place,’” says Dr. Green. “We have all benefited greatly from his tremendous energy in pursuing his passion for this department.”

Among Turcke’s many legacies is the Building Partnerships Program, which provides employment opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, has led to contract research on specific issues encountered by industry, and opens avenues for feedback on industrial needs that informs the teaching curriculum.

Various other innovations endure, says Green. “The Industry Open House, in particular, has become the highlight of our year. We attract over 30 different companies; there’s a job fair and collaborative discussions between faculty members and industry partners.” Most of the industry representatives are also graduates of the program, he adds.

Turcke, who died in 2013, was known as a dedicated teacher, friend and mentor by students, colleagues and alumni. “Dave had an infectious personality and was a great mentor to many students and younger faculty members he hired, myself included,” says Green.

The newly created fund, he says, “is a great opportunity to carry on Dave’s legacy of partnerships with industry, to reach out to alumni and to maintain links with industry so we can integrate their needs into our curriculum and keep it vibrant.”

Novakowski says the fund’s effect will be “to improve, strengthen and broaden the existing relations we have with various industrial sectors.” Activities to bolster ties, he anticipates, will include “inviting guest lecturers from industry, allowing for more studentindustry exchange via internships and through the capstone design course, and providing more formal avenues to obtain feedback and guidance from senior industry members.”

“Do what makes you happy, find your passion; the rest will ”fall into place.

Advanced Design & Manufacturing Institute (ADMI) Accelerate your Career with a Master of Engineering in Design and Manufacturing

The ADMI MEng, offered by Queen’s and Western Universities, is designed for working engineering graduates. ADMI is a part-time, in-class master’s program delivered in the Greater Toronto Area.

When I came across the ADMI website, I knew right away that a Master of Engineering degree with a combination of engineering and management subjects would differentiate me from the pack”

—JOE AZZOPARDI, ADMI MEng GRADUATE

This exciting program is designed to give practicing engineers the technical knowledge and business and management skills necessary for them to advance to the forefront of their profession.

Enrollment opens in Summer 2016 and classes begin January 2017.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tom Elmer Director, Business Development, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Queen’s University Tom.Elmer@queensu.ca / 613.533.6000 x78963