Menu
Log in


Structural Engineers Foundation (SEF)

The Structural Engineers Foundation is an independent, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to one goal: the advancement of

structural engineering.

To attain this goal, and thus prepare for tomorrow's horizons, the SEF has committed itself to sponsoring and funding scholarships, lectures, awards, publications and research - all aimed at improving structural engineers and structural engineering.

Click here to become a corporate partner or support our free lectures.


Thanks to our 2024 Corporate Partners




Donate to SEF

You can help SEF with their mission by donating through SEAOI. Visit the SEF Donation page to make your donation today.     

____________________________________________________________

Board of Directors

Nihar Shah, President

Stephanie Hautzinger, Vice President

Jeremy Kirk, Treasurer

Eamonn Connelly, Secretary

John Viise

Jim Pawlikowski

Andrew Keaschall

Chelsea Zdawczyk

Mehdi Modares

Jon Lewis

____________________________________________________________

SEF Research Grant
Applications Now Open (Deadine: December 30th, 2024)

Congratulations to Saeed Bozorgmehr Nia, the recipient of this year's SEF Research Grant. Saeed Bozorgmehr Nia is a graduate research assistant pursuing a PhD in civil (structural) engineering at Iowa State University. He also holds an Engineer in Training (EIT) license from the Iowa Board of Engineering. His blend of academic research and practical experience has enriched his expertise in selecting materials for ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) mix design for infrastructure. Throughout his academic journey, he has focused on employing UHPC for bridge deck substrates concreting, and bridge repair solutions, and using it as overlays. He is also proficient in advanced in-field implementation of monitoring technologies like LVDT and strain gauges. He has an in-depth understanding of essential codes and standards, including ACI, ASCE 7, ASTM, and AASHTO. He also has numerous presentations in related conferences, and has publications listed in his Google Scholar profile.

The primary goal of his research is to innovate in the design of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) for application in bridge deck substrates and overlays. This involves the in-field implementation of advanced monitoring technologies to evaluate the performance of bridge deck systems under load. His study utilizes a variety of instrumentation, such as linear variable differential transducers (LVDTs) and string potentiometers, to measure vertical displacements of deck panels and bridge girders, alongside strain gauges for comprehensive structural analysis. A key focus is on the deployment of non-proprietary UHPC as an impermeable material for both new bridge deck construction and the rehabilitation of existing structures. This includes meticulous attention to batching, mixing, placement, and curing processes for UHPC, as well as detailing surface preparation requirements for the concrete casting process. Furthermore, his project aims to establish robust short and long-term monitoring programs to evaluate the UHPC's performance and the structural behavior of the bridge superstructure over time. These monitoring strategies are designed to assess the quality of substrate concrete and the efficacy of overlays, using specialized test methods and instrumentation.

____________________________________________________________

SEF Scholarship Awards

The Foundation strongly believes that the future of structural engineering depends on today's students.

Without them and their vision, there literally is no future for our profession.

The Structural Engineers Foundation is privileged to provide merit-based tuition scholarships to encourage undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in structural engineering programs. 


Six scholarship categories are available:

1. Undergraduate engineering scholarship, for students who will have a junior or senior standing as of Fall 2024
2. Graduate engineering scholarship, intended for students who will be enrolling in graduate school as of Fall 2024
3. Max Zar Scholarship, awarded to an outstanding student pursuing his or her engineering studies in the State of Illinois
4. Rubinos-Mesia Scholarship, named for Teresa Mesia Rubinos and Jacinto Rubinos, is awarded to an outstanding engineering student of Hispanic descent
5. The Fred Haas Scholarship, named for Fred Haas, is awarded to an outstanding graduate student who demonstrates interest in structural steel design and construction (launched 2020)
6. SEF Diversity Scholarship (Junior standing or above as of Fall 2024. Open to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the profession, including students who identify as female, African American/Black, Indigenous, or Hispanic/Latinx.)

Apply online at the link in the title above, or download an application below.

____________________________________________________________


Congratulations to the 2024 Scholarship Award Winners!


Abul Hasnat 

SEF Graduate Award


Alberto Diaz

Loza RME Award

Joseph Mirza


Fred Haas Scholarship 

Kyra Hicks


Diversity Award

Logan Rose


Undergrad Award


____________________________________________________________

2025 - 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Stay tuned for the upcoming application!

SEF ACTIVITIES

Scholarships:

The Foundation strongly believes that the future of structural engineering depends on today's students. Without them and their vision, there literally is no future for our profession. The Structural Engineers Foundation is privileged to provide merit tuition scholarships to encourage undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in structural engineering programs. 

Sponsored Lectures

The Structural Engineers Foundation sponsors lectures in April and November designed to broaden the mind and heighten awareness of excellence in structural engineering. Foundation-sponsored lectures by prominent leaders in the field of structural engineering keep attendees informed with vital cutting-edge information.

Awards

SEF bestows awards and honors to recognize outstanding achievements. The John F. Parmer Award is presented annually by SEF and SEAOI. This award, in recognition of lifelong contributions in the field of structural engineering, is presented to an individual whose distinguished career is acknowledged by his or her peers to be an example of excellence.

Research

SEF understands the importance of research, knowing that it advances our profession by broadening its horizons and expanding our knowledge base. The Foundation offers grants to support graduate and post-graduate research projects. 

____________________________________________________________

SEF Board of Directors

Nihar Shah, President

Position: President

Rubinos & Mesia Engineers (RME)

Education: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.S. Civil Engineering

M.S. Civil Engineering

Licensure: S.E., P.E., Illinois

Societies: SEAOI, ASCE


Stephanie Hautzinger, Vice President

Position: Associate Vice President

CannonDesign

Education: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.S. Architectural Studies, M. Arch. 

Licensure: S.E., Illinois; Architect, Illinois;

LEED AP

Societies: SEAOI, SEAOI WiSE, AIA, AISC

Jeremy Kirk, Treasurer

Position: Project Engineer

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLC.

Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, M.Eng.; Geneva College, B.S.E.

Licensure: S.E., Illinois; P.E., Illinois

Societies: SEAOI, ASCE

Eamonn Connolly, Secretary

Position: James McHugh Construction Co. Director of Engineering

Education: BS Civil Engineering Structures, Illinois Institute of Technology, MPhil Civil Engineering , University of Aberdeen

Licensure: SE, IL; PE , FL, IN, MN,

OK, TN, TX, WI

Societies: ASCC, ASCE, ACI, PTI, SEAOI




John Viise

Position: Managing Principal

DeSimone Consulting Engineers

Education: University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, M.S. Civil Engineering; Virginia Tech, B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Licensure: S.E., Illinois; P.E., Illinois, SCEng, MIStructE, LEED AP

Societies: SEAOI, ASCE, ACI, IStructE


Jim Pawlikowski

Position: Principal, Datum Engineers

Education: University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign;

B.A, and M. Architecture with Structural; Engineering Concentration

Licensure: SE, Illinois; LEED, AP

Societies: SEAOI, CCHRB, ACI, ASCE, AISC


Andrew Keaschall

Position: Sr. Vice President – Illinois Division Manager

Education: BS and MS University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Licensure: PE, SE

Societies: ASCE, F.SEI, SEAoI, IRTBA, ACEC, SAVE



Chelsea Zdawczyk

Position: HOK

Education: Cornell University, B.S. Civil Engineering; UCLA, M. Arch.; Princeton University, M.S. Structural Engineering

Licensure: P.E., Illinois

Societies: SEAOI, ASCE

Mehdi Modares


Position: Associate Professor and Director of Structural Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology

Education: Case Western Reserve University,

Ph.D. Civil Engineering

Licensure: PhD

Society: ASCE



Jon Lewis


Position: Principal and Executive Director

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

Education: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.S. Civil Engineering; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Master of Science, Structural Engineering

Licensure: S.E., Illinois

Societies: SEAOI, ASCE, AEI, IABSE, SEI





20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 750
Chicago, IL  60606




© Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software