Passages

Adams departing for VCU

Stephanie Adams has resigned as associate dean for undergraduate education at the College of Engineering, effective Aug. 15, 2008. She will join Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Engineering as associate dean for undergraduate education.

"Dr. Adams has been a dynamic force here," said Dean David Allen, who added: "I personally will miss her greatly. I hope you will join me in thanking her for her tireless efforts on behalf of the college."

The move brings Adams closer to home. "I'm looking forward to being near family and friends, and it will be exciting to help shape an engineering program that's relatively new," Adams explained. "I've enjoyed working with the students and colleagues at Nebraska Engineering and I wish you all continued success."

In Memory

The namesake for The Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, Charles Durham, died April 5, in Omaha at the age of 90. The third-generation civil engineer grew up in Ames, Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University. He joined Omaha's Henningson Engineering and was active in its growth, becoming president in 1950 when it was renamed Henningson, Durham & Richardson, Inc.

Under Durham's leadership, the company later known as HDR Inc., grew to 1,700 employees with locations throughout the world. The highly-regarded architecture, engineering and consulting (A/E/C) firm has specialized in public works projects including military facilities and hospitals.

After selling the company in 1983, Durham and his wife, Margre, focused on charitable giving that greatly benefits the region; they provided funding for the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Durham Western Heritage Museum, and The Durham School, part of the UNL's College of Engineering.