The ASCE Met Section presented its annual awards at Tavern on the Green in New York City on June 13th, 2008. The recipients of this year's awards included: Sam Schwartz, Metropolitan Section Civil Engineer of the Year; Mohammed Ettouney, Homer Gage Balcom Award; Cesare (Chase) DeRose, Thomas C. Kavanagh Service Award; Peter Zipf, Herbert Howard Government Civil Engineer of the Year; and Joseph Gadbois, Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year. The Reconstruction of the FDR Drive from 54th St. to 63rd St. was selected as the Construction Achievement Project of the Year and the Harmon Shop Replacement Program - Wheel Truing Facility was selected as the Design-Build Project of the Year.

Introduction No. 0755-2008
Sponsors: Comrie, Felder, Fidler, Martinez, Palma and Stewart

The New York City Charter currently requires the commissioner of the Department of Buildings (DOB) to be a licensed professional engineer or a registered architect. Following the resignation of Commissioner Lancaster, proposed legislation has been introduced in the New York City Council that would eliminate this requirement. The Met Section recently sent a letter to the New York City Council listing several points in opposition to Intro. 755.

In May 2008, New York City commemorated the 125th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge with a spectacular five-day birthday celebration featuring fireworks, light shows, musical and dance performances, a Brooklyn Bridge film series, walking tours, a series of lectures and readings at the Brooklyn Historical Society and Manhattan’s Surrogate’s Court, a bicycle “Tour de Brooklyn”, the opening of a new pedestrian connection between the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO, and a telectroscope connection to London, England.

Curious George is taking on civil engineering with the help of ASCE! A new math- and science-based educational resource targeting kindergarten and first grade students has been developed with Universal Studios and educational publisher Scholastic. Civil engineers can visit classrooms to help teachers reinforce standard lessons on shapes, man-made versus natural objects, and many other concepts. With the beloved Curious George character as a connection, this project celebrates the inquisitive nature of engineers of all ages!

The ASCE Metropolitan Section held their annual Scholarship Luncheon on April 10, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt New York Hotel. The event opened with a welcome by Section President Richard B. Cassin. Rich greeted the 160+ attendees by introducing honorees Frank Lombardi, Chief Engineer of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and Connie Crawford, Senior Vice President of MTA-New York City Transit as well as ASCE National Officers Andrew Herrmann and Thomas Donnelly. He thanked Neal Forshner and Michael Lorczak, co-chairs of the Scholarship Luncheon and the members of the Met Section’s Scholarship Committee.

Congratulations to Professor Andrew Smyth of Columbia University, a recipient of one of the prestigious 2008 Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prizes. ASCE presents this award to recognize notable achievements in research related to civil engineering. Preference is given to younger members of early accomplishment who can be expected to continue fruitful careers in research.