News
Dr. David W. Scott named Chair, Department of Civil Engineering & Construction
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. David W. Scott to the position of Chair and Professor of the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction. Dr. Scott is not only a graduate of Georgia Tech (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering), but has served on the Tech faculty in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for the past 18 years. He also has three years of experience as a research civil engineer with the U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center.
Dr. Scott brings a wealth of experience and vision to the department, our industry partners and the community. He is a native of south Georgia and a product of the Georgia public school system. Dr. Scott’s early research focused on novel materials for civil infrastructure, but more recently has focused on structural performance of roadside safety systems.
We look forward to welcoming Dr. David Scott to the University, College and Department on July 1, 2019.
College Team Wins 3-Day Startup Competition
Georgia Southern’s Business Innovation Group hosted its annual 3-Day Startup competition this past weekend. On Monday, the competition culminated with a “Shark Tank” pitch competition. The seven-member winning team includes four College of Engineering & Computing students.
Marcus Joachim, Computer Science // Wyatt Landers, Computer Science // Jacob Poston, Computer Science // Shadrach Stark, Mechanical Engineering
Zee Doehling, Graphic Design // Thomas Martin, Graphic Design // Michael McFarland, International Studies
The team will present its winning startup idea, “Ghost Runner,” representing Georgia Southern at the inaugural Georgia InVenture Prize in Atlanta on April 3rd and 4th. Members of the team will also present Ghost Runner at the College’s Student Research Symposium on April 25 on the Statesboro campus.
MSCE student Mariah Peart honored as one of 10 New Faces of Civil Engineering
Mariah Peart, MS student in Civil Engineering, has been named one of ten “New Faces of Civil Engineering” by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Every year, ASCE honors ten college students and 10 young professionals whose early career accomplishments mark them as the profession’s future stars.
Ms. Peart’s career in civil engineering has been a little bit like building a house. Peart took note of her parents’ desire to design and build their own house in Brunswick, GA. “I loved to look at home design books and blueprints with my parents,” Peart said. “I was always a math person, so I liked to look at the measurements of how big a room was. And I loved the art side of it all too. That’s what really sparked my interest. That’s how I began to go down the civil engineering path.”
Peart’s initial interest began at home, but her passion for the profession flourished when she saw what she could do for her community. She joined a research team to help the Georgia Department of Transportation install an over-height clearance detection system. Her love for math was no longer theoretical — it was helping to reduce vehicle-bridge collisions.
Her latest work is bringing the future to Statesboro, GA. Peart is developing 3D models of two of the city’s busiest intersections. Using 3D laser scanning and close-range photogrammetry, Peart’s work will help Statesboro city engineers redesign the intersections, resulting in better traffic flow and, most importantly, fewer accidents. “It felt really great to be a part of something that can help to improve the community,” Peart said. “When we started seeing just how complex the intersections were, we saw how many people were having vehicle accidents. To be a part of a project that can help improve motorist safety in the city, it feels very heartwarming, knowing we can use our skills to help make our community better.” She also completed a project that created 3D models of historic barns near Statesboro. The models will serve as virtual preservation for the Bulloch County Heritage Society to document the history of the local area.
~from https://news.asce.org/new-faces-honoree-finds-blueprint-for-success/ Feb. 14, 2019
Georgia Southern Engineering programs welcomed 100+ QUEST students
Georgia Southern University Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing welcomed 100+ Bulloch County Schools QUEST students to campus for a study trip.
The Georgia Southern Engineering faculty and students provided visual and hands-on demonstrations for using problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, math, and science. The QUEST students learned the relationship between these skills and future career options, specifically in the field of engineering. The full-day schedule began with engineering lab tours for Solar Power, Energy and Engines, BEaM – Built Environment and Modeling, Mechatronics, Robotics, and Engineering. QUEST students were challenged in a Design and Build Activity using their own critical thinking, communication, and cooperation skills during an afternoon session.
Ellen Cowart, QUEST teacher for Julia P. Bryant Elementary School, said “QUEST teachers know the excitement and curiosity the students have as they visit each of the engineering departments such as the mechatronics lab and manufacturing labs. Engineering faculty and students do a wonderful job interacting with our QUEST students sharing information through hands-on activities. The group design and building activity planned just for their creative minds is a highlight,” says
Over 20 Engineering Ph.D. faculty and their students worked with 5th-grade gifted students from nine local elementary schools including Julia P. Bryant, Brooklet, Stilson, Nevils, Sallie Zetterower, Mattie Lively, Mill Creek, Langston Chapel, and Portal Elementary.
“Partnerships with regional school districts are dynamic opportunities to bring students to our campuses or for us to take technology to the schools. Faculty in our College see the value in introducing young students to STEM fields. To capture their attention at young ages, to encourage their interests, and to provide opportunities for young learners to experience technology for themselves is a pathway for students continuing into technology fields and to pursue higher education in engineering and computer degree programs,” said Lori Mallard, marketing specialist for the College of Engineering and Computing.
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Female Engineering Students Awarded Research Grants
Sophia Fleri and Margaret Kilpatrick are seniors in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Southern University. Each received a $2,000 award to fund her undergraduate research.
Fleri’s topic for her undergraduate honors thesis, “Environmental Energy Sustainability Evaluation by Simulation and Experiment.” Kilpatrick is also working toward her undergraduate honors thesis, “Noise, Vibration, and Combustion Emissions Comparison of IPK and S8 Synthetic Fuels in an Aero Gas Turbine.” Both students are developing their research in the Mechanical Engineering program’s Energy and Aerospace Combustion Laboratories. Professor Valentin Soloiu, Ph.D., the Allen E. Paulson Distinguished Chair of Renewable Energy, is the faculty mentor for Fleri and Kirkpatrick.
These grants are a part of the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing Undergraduate Research grant program, an internal competitive-selection process.
Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing • P.O. Box 7995 • Statesboro, Georgia 30460 • (912) 478-7412 • engrcomp@georgiasouthern.edu
