2008 Issue

UTAH ENGINEERS COUNCIL JOURNAL 7 Chair’s Message Engineering Our Lives continued on page 9 MICHAEL NORRIE Utah Engineers Council Chair 2007-2008 E NGINEERINGHASCHANGED THEWAYWE LIVE, WORK, AND ENJOY THE ENVIRON- MENT AROUND US SINCE ANTIQUITY. THE EARLIEST KNOWN CIVIL ENGINEER by name may be Imhotep who is suggested to have designed and supervised the con- struction of the Pyramid of Djoser (the Step Pyramid) at Saqqara in Egypt around 2630- 2611 BC. The word engineer is much more recent and is derived from the Latin word ingenuin, which translated means, “innate quality, especially mental power.” To acquire and effectively use this scientific and techni- cal knowledge requires both dedication and interest in change and in making “things” better. The Utah Engineers Council [the council] exists as a medium for professional societies to share their efforts to facilitate change, to expand knowledge of the craft, and to demonstrate the commitment required to grow the industry with new students, ideas, and innovation that will continue to shape our local environment and global community. In last year’s Utah Engineers Council Journal I wrote a short message which con- tained some of my thoughts about the impor- tance of education in influencing the interest of young people and retaining this interest in pursuing an engineering career. As a result, I was approached to serve on the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) for the University of Utah’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department (CvEEN). The IABmembership consists of several noted and career members of the Utah engineering community volun- teering time to assist the University of Utah CvEEN in its desire to expand the bridge between study and expertise. While I am flattered to be part of this process, there are many engineers and scientists in the State who can expand the experience, knowledge, and mentorship of these efforts. I encourage your interest and involvement in this impor- tant program. Volunteerism with the council and the organizations it heralds is more important with each passing year. The efforts of our individual members and the organizations they support require time, energy, and com- mitment. But this involvement creates legacy and professional pride in the contributions engineers make to the growth and sustain- ment of our everyday lives. With small com- mitments by each of us, we can better shape the influence of our leaders, policies, and workmanship to increase both economic development and state pride in the students Utah produces. The council and the organi- zations it represents need your support. The time you spend will not be wasted. We have a few in the council who have continuously provided unselfish time and effort to this end. One I would like to rec- ognize in particular is Mr. Kenneth Randle who has, in various roles, helped guide and sustain the council for more than 45 years. This year, after several years of raising funds for the council, Ken decided it was time to let someone else take a leadership position. Ken exemplifies the ideal model for volunteerism and support to his profession. In addition to his role in the American Institute of Aeronautics &Astronautics, he has donated a great deal of time to support the cause of Utah Professional Engineers through his unwavering commitment to the council. I generously thank him. While Ken continues to participate in the council activities, his passing the ‘baton’ to another sent a strong signal to those of us who had taken his time and effort for granted. Who would step up and take his place? After some searching and cajoling, we found a volunteer. The process was enlightening be- cause what we saw was the lack of volunteers willing to take that baton and run with it. I suspect the council isn’t the only professional organization to suffer from this dilemma; hence my plea. The active members influ- ence the direction and performance of the organization, making it a more desirable organization in which to become a member. We need the donation of time. Our council members have once again worked tirelessly to ensure the annual Journal is published and to review the selection of the Engineer of the Year, Engineering Educator of the Year, Fresh Faces of Engineering, and the Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement [MESA] Educator of the Year at the Annual council Banquet. Addition- ally the council continues to recognize highly qualified and well deserving engineering stu- dents from the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and Utah State Univer- sity through the award of three scholarships. These scholarships are made possible only through the generosity of many corporate and private contributors. On behalf of the entire council, I thank you!