Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Reston, Va. — Francis E. Griggs, Jr., Ph.D., D.Eng., P.E., L.S., F.ASCE, a consulting engineer and former Merrimack College professor of civil engineering and Vice President for Academic Affairs and dean of the college, was recently named a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The Society’s highest accolade, active distinguished membership is comprised of approximately only 200 of its 140,000 members worldwide. Griggs will be presented the award, in honor of his dedication to promoting the history of civil engineering, the restoration and designation of historical civil engineering landmarks and increasing awareness about modern engineering, on October 20-22, 2011, at ASCE’s Annual Civil Engineering Conference in Memphis, Tenn.
Griggs’ contributions to the field have included numerous lectures and presentations on civil engineering as well as improving communication in the field through his experience with prominent consulting firms. He is also known to be an expert on Squire Whipple, Hon.M.ASCE, who is known as the Father of scientific bridge building. In addition to his academic and engineering achievements, Griggs has been successful improving engineer’s communications skills, professionalism, historical civil engineering icons and the restoration and preservation of civil engineering structures and landmarks worldwide. He is recognized on both the national and international levels for his research and dedication to the field.
Griggs has spent nearly 10 years working as a consulting engineer specializing in historic bridge restoration and documentation. At Clough, Harbour and Associates, LLP in Albany, N.Y., Griggs served as the director of quality assurance and historic bridge programs. Also during this time, he took positions as an adjunct professor at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and his alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Griggs has been recognized within the association many times for his contributions to engineering education, and received the AT&T Foundation Award by the American Society of Engineering Education. In addition to his numerous achievements, he is a registered, licensed professional engineer in New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire and Land Surveyor in Massachusetts. Active in town politics in Andover, Mass., Griggs served two terms on the Andover School Committee and was chairman for three years. In addition, he was a member of the Town Finance Committee and was active in Boy Scouts.
Griggs received his bachelor’s, graduate and professional degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. His research continues to profoundly affect the field of civil engineering as well as its historical relevance. He is a current resident of Rexford, N.Y.
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 140,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society.
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