The AISC Education Foundation has grown over recent years--and the Board of Directors that manages its operations has grown along with it.

Its membership now reflects additional sectors of the industry--tripling in size. It now comprises five steel fabricators, five engineers, and five educators.

“Looking at the growth in Foundation assets and the scope of its reach into the education and engineering design communities over a decade, I thought it was a good time to expand the size of the Board and include participation from other stakeholders in these communities,” former Chair David Zalesne (Owen Steel Company) said.

Structural steel designers have a valuable new resource for the design of end-plate moment connections in AISC Steel Design Guide 39, End-Plate Moment Connections, which is now available at aisc.org/dg.

"It's a great addition to the AISC toolbox of publications," said Cives Steel Corporation Chief Engineer Brian Volpe, PE, SE, LEED AP. "The team did a fantastic job unifying Design Guides 4 and 16 and adding the latest research."

The new design guide, written by Virginia Tech's Matthew Eatherton, SE, PhD, and Thomas Murray, PE, PhD, reviews how to use yield line analysis to determine end-plate strength, details design procedures for determining required bolt strength, and provides 15 end-plate moment connection configurations.

AISC will present Benjamin Schafer, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University with the 2024 T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award for "Review of Local Buckling Width-to-Thickness Limits."

"Dr. Schafer's work in the areas of structural stability and local buckling in hot-rolled structural members is consistently outstanding," said AISC Vice President of Engineering and Research Christopher H. Raebel, SE, PE, PhD, "and his reputation as a researcher, professor, and lecturer is similarly remarkable--in fact, the jury's selection was unanimous. It is a privilege to have him represent AISC as a T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award recipient."

The AISC Board of Directors chose new leadership at its most recent meeting.

Hugh McCaffrey of Southern New Jersey Steel in Vineland, N.J. was elected board chair Sept. 9 at AISC’s annual business meeting, and Glenn Tabolt of STS Steel in Schenectady, N.Y. was elected vice chair.

“Hugh and Glenn both have a long track record of volunteering their knowledge, expertise, and leadership skills to the steel industry,” said Steve Knitter, the board’s immediate past chair. “Their wealth of knowledge in the fabrication industry and their varied regional experience will undoubtedly benefit the Institute. I have full confidence in their ability to provide strong leadership and continue AISC’s mission of advancing the steel construction industry.”

Arkansas’ government is investing in the future of its steel industry.

The Arkansas Office of Skills Development awarded Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) a $1.2 million grant in August to help create the Arkansas Steelmaking Bootcamp, which is expected to train 500 participants in its first year. The program provides entry-level knowledge for workers entering the steelmaking industry. Graduates of the two-week, 80-hour bootcamp earn OSHA-10 General Industry Certification and first aid/CPR certification. 

"Early in my career, Bob was instrumental in teaching me about steel," said AISC President Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD. "When I first started at AISC, Bob had just retired. He continued with us as a volunteer, and I was lucky to get assigned to many things he was still involved in. I wasn't alone -- a whole crew of us as staff and volunteers grew up in those years and were better for having Bob to help us. We dedicated the 15th-edition AISC Steel Construction Manual to him, and that dedication was a reflection of how much it meant to all of us."

Students around the country are gearing up for another exciting Student Steel Bridge Competition--and AISC and American Society of Civil Engineers have just announced the challenge that they'll have to solve by designing, fabricating, and erecting a scale-model steel bridge!

In this year's hypothetical scenario, Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston, La., is considering the addition of a disc golf course with a non-invasive, man-made river as a water hazard. And where there's water, there must be a bridge for players, park employees, and maintenance vehicles to get to the other side. Lincoln Parish Park is one of the most popular in the nation because it's particularly beautiful. This bridge must be aesthetically pleasing, too!

The Steel Bridge Task Force has presented the 2023 Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award to John O’Quinn, president of High Steel Structures, LLC.

The award honors individuals who have made significant industry contributions to advance steel as the material of choice for steel bridge supply, production, design, fabrication or construction.

Dan Synder, vice president of the construction program at the American Iron and Steel Institute, noted that O’Quinn has provided years of mentoring and guidance to researchers as well as financial and materials support for their research.

“His direct support has enabled significant technological advancements for the steel bridge industry,” said Snyder. “John is highly respected and greatly appreciated by his peers, and it is an honor to recognize his contributions and lasting impact on our industry with the 2023 Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award.”

“John is passionate about steel bridges and strives to improve the entire industry on a daily basis,” said National Steel Bridge Alliance Senior Director of Market Development Jeff Carlson. “I’m thrilled to see him recognized for everything he does.”