First Environmental Engineering Degree Program in U.S. Offered at Rensselaer

Troy, N.Y. — A colloquium celebrating the creation of environmental engineering education 50 years ago and the profession that emerged and continues to evolve today will be held at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on March 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies.

“Rensselaer’s environmental engineering program was the first in the United States to offer academic degrees in environmental engineering and claims the first bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates. This event will celebrate the profession’s history and discuss emerging initiatives in research and education,” said Nicholas Clesceri, professor emeritus of environmental engineering at Rensselaer. Clesceri is also former program director of Environmental Engineering and Technology for the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The event will bring together civil and environmental engineers from industry, government, and academia, along with students, according to Clesceri. The conference is co-sponsored by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) and the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP).

Featured presenters will include:

• James Alleman, professor of civil engineering, Purdue University
• Patrick Brezonik, program director, Environmental Engineering and Technology, NSF
• Albert Gray, executive director, National Society of Professional Engineers
• Jong-In Han, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Leo Hetling (retired), former division director, New York State Department of Health
• James Kilduff, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• K. Jack Kooyoomijian, designated federal officer, U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board
• Charles O’Melia, department chair and professor of environmental engineering, Johns Hopkins University
• Richard Sedlak, senior vice president of technical and international affairs, The Soap and Detergent Association
• Timothy Shea, principal technologist, CH2M Hill, and AAEE president
• C. Joseph Touhill, president, Touhill Technology Management Corporation
• John “Jack” Willson (retired), former division director, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Rensselaer To Celebrate 50 Years of Environmental Engineering at Colloquium

Contact: Tiffany Lohwater
Phone: (518) 276-6542
E-mail: lohwat@rpi.edu