News:

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Durham School appoints new faculty member

Teri Norton

Lincoln, Neb., June 21, 2007 - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Charles W. Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction recently announced the appointment of Terri Norton as a new assistant professor for the construction engineering program. 

"I am excited about being a part of a program that prepares students to become professionals by providing them with practical training and a quality learning environment," said Norton, regarding her new faculty position.

A past guest lecturer at UNL, Norton earned her doctorate in civil engineering with an emphasis in structural dynamics from Florida A&M University.  Before her appointment she was a member of the technical staff in the Structural Dynamics Department at The Aerospace Corporation.  She has also served as a visiting professor with Florida A&M University.  With both professional and teaching experience under her belt, Norton promises to be a star addition to the school's accomplished faculty. 

Norton's past research has focused on the effects that natural hazards have on civil structures.   She has been a field mission investigator evaluating the 2002 Molise Earthquake in Italy, a research ambassador at the University of Tokyo, and a research assistant at the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering in the Wind Hazard and Earthquake Engineering Lab.   Her expertise in structural dynamics and natural hazards will determine her future research projects at Nebraska.  She will teach courses involving structural analysis, statics and dynamics.

Project award to UNL will aid lighting-design education

Lincoln, Neb., May 15, 2007 -- Kevin Houser, associate professor of Architectural Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Charles W. Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, has obtained funding for a five-year project to "Create an Alliance to Nurture Design in Lighting Education."

Also known as Project CANDLE, the $750,000 program is funded in large part by the International Association of Lighting Designers' Education Trust Fund and the university. IALD chose Houser's project from proposals submitted by top national and international lighting programs.  Other supporters include the Peter Kiewit Institute, Cooper Lighting and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Project CANDLE will integrate student recruitment and curriculum enhancement with industry research.  The program's chief goal is to increase the number of graduates qualified for entry-level jobs in the lighting industry.  CANDLE will also facilitate a higher percentage of student involvement in professional societies and coursework relevant to the needs of the lighting industry. 

"Project CANDLE will bring together lighting design industry leaders and students, and both sides will benefit from these interactions," said Winnie Callahan, Executive Director of the Peter Kiewit Institute.

One activity key to Project CANDLE's success is the creation of the IALD Student Ambassador Award.  This award will be given to outstanding lighting design students who advance the profession by speaking to high school students.  A doctoral fellowship will also be created to support one Ph.D. student dedicated to becoming a future lighting design educator.  Project CANDLE will work to enhance the quality of Durham graduates with the creation of a workshop and roundtable that brings industry, students and faculty together to examine the relevance of current curriculum with the future needs of the industry.  In this same vein, 25 Master of Architectural Engineering projects will be defined and implemented with input from the roundtable. 

Project CANDLE will begin in July 2007.