ACI Award

For the third consecutive year, the American Concrete Institute (ACI) has named Valparaiso University to its list of Outstanding Universities. The ACI Award for University Student Activities was initiated to recognize universities that have a high level of participation in ACI and concrete related activities. For 2013, only twelve universities received this recognition from ACI.

“Considering the number of institutions across the U.S. that offer a degree in civil engineering and are also active in ACI, being recognized by ACI as an Outstanding University speaks volumes about the program at Valpo,” said John Schemmel, professor of civil engineering. “Several of the other recipients of this award are land-grant institutions. This means that our involvement in ACI is comparable to that of much larger institutions.”

ACI awards points to a university based on the involvement of its students and faculty in several categories, all of which relate to ACI or are associated with the concrete industry. Examples include student membership in ACI, student service to ACI committees, student and faculty attendance at ACI conventions, involvement with the local ACI chapter and more.

Schemmel is a member of ACI. Most sophomore engineering students become student members when they take CE 212: Materials Engineering. The students in CE 212 also take an exam to become ACI Certified Concrete Field Testing Technicians Grade I. Several Valpo students are also involved in supporting organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, ASTM International and Engineers Without Borders.

As a recipient of this award, Valpo was recognized during the opening ceremony of ACI’s Spring 2014 Convention in Reno, Nev. Valpo was also listed in ACI’s magazine’s issue, Concrete International.