University of Wisconsin Civil Engineering Department Chair
Named Distinguished Member of National Civil Engineering Society
Reston , Va. — Jeffrey S. Russell, Ph.D., P.E., Dist.M.ASCE, chair of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was recently named a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). ASCE’s highest accolade, distinguished membership recognizes eminence in a branch of engineering. The active roster of Distinguished Members is comprised of only 198 of the Society’s 146,000 members worldwide. Russell will be formally inducted, in honor of his leadership in engineering education and the advancement of the professional practice of civil engineering , Oct. 29, 2009, at ASCE’s 139th Annual Civil Engineering Conference in Kansas City, Mo.
Russell’s signature contribution to the civil engineering profession has been his work in expanding educational requirements for professional certification as a civil engineer. Additionally, he is recognized as a distinguished scholar and academic leader and has served as an advisor for more than 100 graduate students – including 20 doctoral students. During his tenure at the university, Russell has established one of the most highly rated construction management programs in the country, and he is co-founder of the university’s Construction Engineering and Management program.
A national expert in the study of civil engineering project management processes, Russell has introduced new technological advances to the civil engineering community, including innovative concepts relating to contractor prequalification and surety/bonding issues. Working with colleagues at the University of Wisconsin, he helped introduce research promoting the use of fiber reinforced polymers and advanced materials.
His research has been recognized with ASCE’s Collingwood and Huber Prizes, and Engineering News Record named Russell one of its Top 25 Newsmakers of the Year in 1996 and 2005. Presently serving as chair of ASCE’s Committee on Academic Prerequisites for Professional Practice, Russell has also served as editor-in-chief of the Society’s Journal of Management in Engineering and was a founding editor-in-chief of ASCE’s Leadership and Management in Engineering. Additionally, Russell has served on ASCE’s Board of Direction and is active with the ASCE student chapters at the University of Wisconsin and Chi Epsilon, the civil engineering honor society.
Russell received his doctoral and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Purdue University, and his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Cincinnati. A registered professional engineer in Wisconsin, Russell is a resident of Madison, Wis.
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 146,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. For more information, visit www.asce.org.
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