On February 21-24, 2002, Penn State AE hosted AEI’s 2002 National Conference. Representatives from industry, including Wallace Engineering Structural Consultants, Weidlinger Associates, Healthy Buildings International, and Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill gave presentations at the Nittany Lion Inn throughout the first day.
Dr. Harry West, professor emeritus of civil engineering, presented the keynote speech on Friday evening, entitled, “Beaver Stadium: How Did It Come to Be?” The next morning, the conference attendees toured the stadium and its new expansion, (photos above and below) followed by lunch in Beaver Stadium’s Mount Nittany Lounge. Barton Malow Design/Construction Services, HOK Sport+Venue+Event, and Thornton Tomasetti Engineers graciously sponsored this event.
A highlight of the conference was the Tower of Food Competition. During the weeks leading up to the conference, AE students collected non-perishable food products, which were distributed to the three competing teams to build their food towers. Mini-challenges were built into the competition, such as being given more “building materials” halfway through the competition. After the towers were built and judged, the food was donated to the State College Food Bank (shown right).
The conference concluded with an interesting and well received tour of AE’s Building Envelope Research Laboratory conducted by Paul Kremer, AE Research Associate, and Dr. Richard Behr, AE Department Head.
Shannon Appleby, who served as national president of AEI, and her organizing committee-Leighton Deer, Lyndsey Bakos, Christa Henry, Sara Lappano, Kristy Jenkins, Brad Palmisiano, Jonathan Dougherty and faculty advisors Kevin Parfitt and Lou Geschwindner—are to be congratulated on a job well done.
1st Place Team
2nd Place Team
3rd Place Team
Conference attendees were treated to musical selections by members of the Penn State Blue Band. On the right is AE 5th year Brad Palmisiano.
