Previous Recipients

2007 Scholarship Recipient:

Bryan B. Bindrich, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Bryan Bindrich completed his winning paper, Hybrid Pultruded Plank with a Concrete Compression Flange for Pedestrian Bridges, just prior to graduating from University of Wisconsin-Madison this past spring. He currently is a full-time graduate student at the University of Texas-Austin. According to Larry Cox, Associate Director, Education and Technical Services, who served as one of three judges for the annual scholarship program, "Both the quality of his paper and the thoroughness of his research and testing were quite remarkable for an undergraduate student. Bindrich’s research demonstrates that hybrid panels composed of commercially available pultruded plank and normal weight concrete produced results similar to that of traditional timber decking. With further research to improve plank design and to prove increased lifespan over traditional materials, the durable hybrid panel could become a viable alternative to building lightweight vehicle and pedestrian bridges.” As the Gary B. Multanen/CM Magazine scholarship recipient, Bindrich received a $1,000 award, had his research published in the October 2007 issue of CM, and received a trip to COMPOSITES & POLYCON 2007.

2006 Scholarship Recipient:

Sarah Orton, University of Texas at Austin
Sarah Orton is a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas at Austin. Her winning research, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Composite Anchors To Increase Capacity of CFRP Sheets Bonded to Reinforced Concrete, was conducted as part of her dissertation research on the use of CFRP in reinforced concrete buildings vulnerable to progressive collapse. Orton is seeking her doctorate in Civil Engineering, with a special focus on reinforced concrete structures and the retrofit or rehabilitation of structures. She will earn her degree in May 2007 at which time she will seek a career in academia, with the goal of becoming a professor involved in both teaching and research. Orton received a Master of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin. Before she began pursuing her doctorate, Orton worked for an engineering firm in Houston. As this year's scholarship recipient, Orton received a $1,000 award, had her research published in the October 2006 issue of CM, and received a trip to COMPOSITES & POLYCON 2006 where she will held a poster session at the CM Booth.

2006 Press Release

2005 Scholarship Recipient:

Moses grew up in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Pa., and received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He has worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bridge Unit since July 2005, previously serving an internship with the department in the summers of 2003 and 2004. Moses’ future career goal is to serve as District Engineer at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, where he would be the lead engineer for numerous Pennsylvania counties. In his free time, Moses enjoys the outdoors, camping, and Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art. He has been a member of the Tang Soo Do Federation for three and half years and should be eligible for his black belt in the next year.

2005 Honorable Mention:

Nicole McCook, University of Florida
Nicole McCook has attended the University of Florida since 2000, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2004, and is currently working on her masters in mechanical engineering there as well. She has been conducting research in Tribology and tribological materials development for two years, submitting her research paper “Epoxy, ZnO, and PTFE Nanocomposite: Friction and Wear Optimization,” for this year’s scholarship. McCook plans to pursue a PhD at the University of Florida upon completion of her master’s program, and would eventually like to become a professor, where she would continue her active research.

2004 Scholarship Recipient:

Jordan Kiesser, Western Washington University
Jordan Kiesser of Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash., is majoring in Industrial Technology: Vehicle Design and Plastics Engineering Technology. Kiesser submitted a winning research paper entitled, "Novel Process For Manufacturing Expandable Carbon Fiber Honeycomb." Kiesser also plays Rugby at Western where he has served as the team captain, as well as a year as the Club President and VP. Kiesser plans to take a job working in research and development. Upon graduation he will be looking for employment in the composites industry, and in the future, plans to go back to school to get a masters and possibly doctorate. “At this point in my life my career goal is to work on creating a new form of transportation to end our tremendous dependency on fossil fuels and the degrading effects that they have on the environment and the global community” Kiesser said.

2004 Press Release