In the News, Part II: January 2010

An article in The New York Times is reporting that “substandard design, inadequate materials, and shoddy construction practices likely contributed to the collapse of many buildings” in the earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday. Read more

In a separate article, South Dakota Sate University’s geotechnical engineer, Allen Jones (ID A ’86), explained other factors for the large scale destruction in Haiti.

Jones said that “because Tuesday’s magnitude 7 earthquake in Haiti was relatively shallow – about 6.2 miles below the earth surface – it released an extensive amount of energy.”

Jones further explained that while there had been no immediate warnings of an earthquake, during a conference of engineers and earth scientists in 2008 Haiti was warned that “the country was sitting atop a major seismic area.” Read article

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The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a grant to support researchers in efforts to bring algae-based biofuels to market. Read full article

The grant has been awarded to the National Advanced Biofuels Consortium and the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts.

Many of the researchers in the consortium are from the University of Arizona and UA is also “a founding member” of the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts.

Members of the UA consortium include: Michael A. Cusanovich, Kimberly Ogden, Paul Blowers (MI A ’94), Joel L. Cuello (PA B ’89), and several others.

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Tau Beta Pi wishes to extend is sincere condolences to the family of Vernon E. Gardner.

Gardner, ND B ’38, died Wednesday, January 6, in Hendersonville, NC.

Gardner will be remembered fondly, for among other things his service to Tau Beta Pi. The following is on record from the 102nd Convention of Tau Beta Pi:

“The Tau Beta Pi Association recognizes the outstanding long-term contribution to our efforts by Vernon E. Gardner. For many years he has served as President of the Washington DC Alumnus Chapter…”

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, January 18th at 1 pm.
Read the full obituary

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