West Virginia University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will induct 11 new members into its Academy of Civil Engineers at a banquet Saturday, April 29, in Morgantown , and will also honor two members who were inducted last year but unable to attend.
Established in 2005, the Academy recognizes graduates who have had distinguished professional careers in civil engineering or who have been of outstanding service to the state of West Virginia .
We are very proud to welcome these new members into our Distinguished Alumni Academy ,said David Martinelli, department chair.They have demonstrated excellence and leadership both in their careers and in exceptional service to our state and nation.
The following individuals will be inducted into the Academy:
Thomas J. Blair earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was a commissioned officer of the Construction Grants Section of the U.S. Public Health Service, a project engineer with Kelley, Gidley, and Staub, and president of Kelley, Gidley, Blair and Wolfe. He served as chairman of the WVU College of Engineering Visiting Committee.
James E. Brown earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from WVU in 1962 and 1964, respectively. A native of Clarksburg , he spent 42 years in the construction industry in the state, including working on two interstate highway tunnels, two years in highway and bridge construction, and four years as a field engineer at the Harrison Power Station. He joined G.A. Brown and Sons in Fairmont , and directed its operations for 15 years before purchasing the company in 1991.
Leslie C. Gates graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1940, and a few years later joined the Ferguson-Gates Mining Engineering Co. His firm, in joint venture with an architectural firm, designed the new Mountaineer Stadium.
William J. Harman earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from WVU . He co-founded Harman Construction, and it grew into a leading highway contractor in north central West Virginia . He led Harman Construction as president from 1981 until the sale of the company in 1998. He was an adjunct professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Emory L. Kemp has received numerous awards throughout his professional career, including the coveted election as an Honorary Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Kemp is the founder and director of the Institute for the History of Technology and Industrial Archaeology at WVU . He was also chair and professor of civil engineering at the College of Engineering , and a professor of history in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
Larry D. Luttrell is a professor emeritus of civil engineering at WVU . A native of Kentucky , he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from
p. the University of Kentucky . In 1965, as a new PhD graduate from Cornell University , he came to WVU . During his 33 years of teaching at WVU , Luttrell received several outstanding teaching awards.
William S. Ritchie Jr. graduated from WVU with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1951, and began his engineering career with Boso&Ritchie of Ravenswood. During his career, he served as commissioner of highways for the State of West Virginia , vice president of operations for Hobet Mining in West Virginia , and president of Ashland Coal.
Bryon E. Ruth started his doctoral studies at WVU in 1961 after receiving a master’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University . In 1967 he was promoted to assistant professor of civil engineering at WVU . In 1970 he joined the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Florida and retired in 2000 as a professor emeritus.
James H. Schaub completed his education in civil engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI), Harvard and Purdue. He began an academic career teaching at VPI and, in 1960, was named professor and chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering at WVU , where he later became associate dean of engineering. In 1969, he became professor and chairman of civil engineering at the University of Florida.
James H. Suttle is a former vice chairman of the Board of Directors for the Omaha-based engineering and design firm HDR . He served as executive vice president and director of corporate development for HDR , which is the nation’s seventeenth largest architecture and engineering firm. The company has 4,000 employees in 115 offices throughout the United States .
Maurice A. Wadsworth obtained his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with high honors from WVU in 1951. He was employed by Gannett Fleming in Harrisburg , Pa. , for his entire professional career. Hired as a bridge design engineer, he served as chief computer engineer for the Transportation Division, chief of the Harrisburg Highway Section, director of the Transportation Division, senior vice president for administration and chairman of the board.
The Academy will also honor two members who were inducted last year but were unable to attend:
Robert Orders Sr ., graduated from WVU in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. In 1965, he formed Orders Construction Co. As president and general manager, he grew the business to become one of the largest and most respected highway bridge and utility construction companies in West Virginia . He is a past president of the West Virginia Contractors Association.
William C. Turman graduated from WVU in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He co-founded Turman Construction Co., one of the oldest and most respected highway-bridge-utility companies in West Virginia , and has been president, chief engineer and owner of the company since 1972. Over his 50-year career, Turman built more than 200 bridges in West Virginia .
For more information on the Academy of Civil Engineers , contact the department at (304) 293-3031.