Issue No.15 - Spring 2021 |
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Letter from Our Board President |
From the President… Reds Opening Day! As I begin this letter, today is Opening Day in Cincinnati, and that means that spring is here once again, never mind that this morning we saw serious snow showers, the temperature at the opening pitch was a chilly 37 degrees Fahrenheit, the wind continues to blow with gusts close to 40 miles per hour, and a hard freeze is predicted for tonight. Doesn’t winter know that it is no longer welcome?
Late March and early April are always a frustrating tease. They bring some days of warmth and sunshine when I can put the top down on my convertible and enjoy the sunshine, only to be followed by days with grey skies that remain below freezing and my L.L. Bean parka is a necessity while walking my Corgi at 7:00 in the morning.
Nevertheless, the promise of spring is everywhere. Ault Park in Mount Lookout is coming back to life with blooming daffodils, crocuses and weeping cherry trees. Dog lovers are walking with their pets, parents are appearing with their toddlers in tow and many of us seniors are enjoying our daily walks. The miracle of rebirth and renewal has begun again, and winter is receding into memory.
However, the spring of 2021 is unique, and I am not referring to the return of cicada Brood X that reappears every seventeen years. Rather, the probable control of Covid-19 is within our grasp, and the dark days of the pandemic, like the dark days of winter, are beginning to recede. By now, most of us emeriti have been vaccinated against the virus. The future is looking much better than it did even six months ago.
So, now is a good time for each of us to reinvigorate ourselves and reemerge from our pandemic isolation. We are never too old to start a new project or activity and to insure its success. I encourage you to become an active member of the UC Emeriti Association and Center. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find a list of standing committees with contact information. Reach out and get involved. Add your talents and expertise to one of our committees. We have a place for you where you can be productive and that you will enjoy!
(NOTE: The Reds lost to the Cardinals, eleven to six. BUT, the season is young, and I have confidence in the Cincinnati “boys of summer.”)
Terence Milligan, DMA
Professor Emeritus of Music
President, Board of Directors
UC Emeriti Association and Center
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SPRING ELECTIONS
REMEMBER TO VOTE!
May 3rd: Virtual ballots distributed electronically
May 10th: Deadline to cast and return your vote
May 20th: Election results announced at the annual meeting
NOTE: The annual meeting will take place via Zoom. You will receive a Zoom invitation to the meeting on Monday, May 17, 2021.
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND!
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Calendar of Upcoming Events |
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In This Issue
Undergraduate Research Project
Speaker Series
Arts and Culture Happenings
Standing Committee Chairs
Emeriti Activities
Second Act
Remembering a Friend
In Memoriam
Did You Know?
Scroll down for individual sections.
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Undergraduate Mentoring Award 2020-2021 |
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Applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) in Managing and Building Construction Projects
Written by Michelle Silverwood and George Suckarieh
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In March 2020, under the mentorship of Emeritus Professor George Suckarieh, I submitted a proposal to the Emeriti Association to study the applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), commonly referred to as drones, in managing construction projects during the building cycle. We proposed comparing drone programs used by the local construction industry with other programs used at the national level. The goal is to give insight on where companies can leverage their resources and improve their productivity by using the technology and to provide data to the local industry.
Immediately upon receiving the award, ten industry professionals with extensive background in drone technology were interviewed. This was followed by a construction industry survey of local and national companies and participation in several webinars and one international two-day conference. This research pinpointed trends and takeaway observations providing insights to the construction industry.
The research indicated that the local construction industry is behind the rest of the industry in the application of drone technology. This was based on how many more companies outside the local area used drones than in the local area. It also pinpointed many common uses of UAV technology through the entire life cycle of a project. The most common application was found to be aerial photography that could be used for progress reports, safety, equipment tracking, and site utilization plans. Applications also include photogrammetry and LiDAR (remote sensing) technology that assist in creating detailed models, mapping/surveying, inspections, and earthwork measurements for accurate bidding. Through the proper implementation and management of drone technology our study showed that there can be significant return on investment that includes cost and time savings, greater quality assurance, increased safety, and enhanced owner relations. Moreover, with drone technology, companies improve their ability to make better and faster informed decisions.
The research touched on many cases where the return on investment was measured and proven to be cost effective for companies. In conversations with professionals, a significant gap was noticed between a single department that worked with the drones and the rest of the company. Therefore recommendations were made as how successful drone programs can be established and then scaled to companywide level. We hope that these recommendations will provide a useful resource.
While conducting this research, many opportunities were identified where future research can expand drone operation in the construction industry. Through many brainstorming sessions and discussions with professionals, a strong potential was discovered for drones to be used to perform specific construction operations. For example, in vertical construction, drones could be used to map and paint vertical surfaces of a building system; while in horizontal construction, they can be used to paint accurate pavement lines along roadways. Drones used for spraying crops in the agriculture industry could be tailored for painting, plastering, or applying chemicals to seal construction surfaces exposed to weather. As the lifting capacity of drones is increased, they can be used to replace cranes in material handling.
Overall, this research has facilitated my understanding about the many new ways we can use technology to innovate our industry. In addition I had the opportunity to experience piloting a drone in a construction site. Under the guidance of Dr. Suckarieh, I have learned how to conduct research and formulate relationships in academia as well as in the industry.
This research project was funded in part by an Undergraduate Mentoring Award from the University of Cincinnati Emeriti Association. This award program seeks to foster collaborative research/scholarship/creative projects involving an undergraduate student and an emeritus/emerita faculty member. While the deadline for applications for the 2021-2022 year has passed, we anticipate a call for applications in December, 2021 for the 2022-2023 academic year. For more information, feel free to contact Bruce Ault, Chair of the Mentoring Committee, at bruce.ault@uc.edu .
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Higher Education in the Balance:
Trends and Challenge
April 22, 12 noon - 1:00 p.m. via Zoom
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Barbara Gellman-Danley, President
Higher Learning Commission
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Karen J. Solomon
Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer
Higher Learning Commission
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Jamie Stanesa
Vice-President of Member Education and Peer Corps Service
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A Panel Discussion Presented by the
University of Cincinnati
Emeriti Association and Center
Please join us on April 22, 2021 from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM for an exciting and informative Zoom presentation by members of the Higher Learning Commission based in Chicago.
Many of us have spent our careers in one or two institutions and may not always be aware of what is happening to many other colleges and universities across the country. Learn more about the trends and challenges facing UC and every other institution of higher learning in this on-line presentation by a panel of experts from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The HLC is the accrediting body to over 1,000 colleges and universities across the central portion of the US.
We are honored to have Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley, President of HLC, and two of her experienced staff members, Dr. Karen Solomon and Dr. Jamie Stanesa, share their insights with us in this virtual presentation.
The following topics will be discussed in the presentation:
- Higher education trends
- Federal outlook and new regulations
- HLC updates
To access this Zoom presentation use the following URL:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81119932925?pwd=WXp2d3FwMnVtT29FWFY5bjNKYXMxUT09
Meeting ID: 811 1993 2925
Passcode: 821340
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Arts and Culture Happenings |
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Spring and Summer are here, and it’s time to enjoy Cincinnati’s Art and Music scene! The Arts and Culture Committee recommends these upcoming events.
Cincinnati Opera’s July Opera Festival presents Summer at the Summit. Featured will be three of the opera world’s most popular works, Carmen, Tosca, and The Barber of Seville, at Summit Park in Blue Ash. Tickets for the general public go on sale June 7. For further info and tickets, visit cincinnatiopera.org/2021
The Taft Museum’s stunning exhibit, Walk this Way, The Stuart Weitzman Collection of Historic Shoes, is on exhibit through June 6. For reservations and tickets visit taftmuseum.org
Ballet in the Park, returns this year, after popular demand! Cincinnati Ballet presents 5 free performances May 21-23, at the Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park. Bold Moves Plus will be presented 7 times at the Aronoff, June 16-20. For reservations, tickets and information about these performances, please visit cballet.org.
Cincinnati Art Museum, continues the presentation, All the Flowers Are for Me, through May 30. This stunning show displays the artistry of Anila Quayyum Agha and her installation brought alive by the manipulation of light. Please visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org
Cincinnati May Festival (May 21-221, and May 28-30) returns to in-person choral performances with reduced ensemble sizes and audiences. The exciting season features the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus and stellar soloists in the music of Mahler, Copland, Bruckner, and John Adams.
For reservations and tickets, please go to mayfestival.com
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UC Emeriti Standing Committee Chairs |
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Undergraduate Mentoring Committee: Bruce Ault, Joanna Mitro, Co-Chairs
PRIZE: Bruce Ault, Joanna Mitro, Co-Chairs
Oral History: Bert Huether, Gene Lewis, co-chairs
International: Ralph Katerberg, George Vredeveld, Co-Chairs
Awards/Honors:
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Have you recently received an award? Written a book? Visited an interesting spot? Do you know any of your fellow emeriti who have? Let us know here.
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Jim Steiner
Mount Adams: A History
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Jim Steiner, DDS, Professor Emeritus, College of Medicine, was highlighted in an earlier newsletter in our Second Act Series. He has just published a book!
"Mount Adams: A History" focuses on the history of "Cincinnati's oldest suburb" as stated on the book's website, where it is available for purchase. It took Steiner eight years to write the book and he has already sold 500 copies.
All proceeds from the book are to be donated to the Mount Adams Civic Association.
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David Butler, PhD
Endurance after Retirement
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During his 36 years at UC, David Butler was a professor of biomedical engineering in the Colleges of Engineering and Medicine and originally a junior faculty member in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He worked closely with sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons in his research on knee injuries and treatments for them, like the use of stem cells and regenerative medicine.
“I’ve always been interested in endurance sports,” says Butler. He has a history with running, competing in marathons, half marathons and 10k races.
This interest, as well as his interactions throughout his career regarding sports medicine, led him to pick up cycling in the mid 90s, describing it as a “natural extension” of his hobby of running. “A pretty well-known sports medicine surgeon in LA invited me to join him and 16 others and we rode from San Francisco to almost LA, along Route 1. That really sparked my interest in cycling and then it just continued since then.”
Riding along the California coastline was his first big challenge as a cyclist, said Butler, but he was encouraged by his peers to get through it and it now remains his favorite cycling trip. He and his riding group have also become fascinated with watching the Tour de France, so much so that he recently taught an OLLI course through UC titled, “Behind the Scenes at the Tour de France.” He describes each professional cyclist in the race as a different animal. “I would love to someday soon join a few friends and ride one or two of the stages of the Tour,” said Butler. “The rides would be incredibly demanding, but it would be exciting to try these rides at our own pace.”
Since retiring in 2013, Butler has taken up Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. To help him train and prepare for these races, Butler reached out to a nationals and world class triathlon champion, who has become his mentor. He has been working with him for five years and this training has really helped him improve his endurance and intensity training for triathlons. Butler recommends that other Emeriti reach out as well to experts who are willing to mentor. “If you have a particular interest, reach out to a role model who is already extremely successful and see if there's a way that you could work with this individual because it will only help you get better.”
For his fellow Emeriti, Butler shared, “Just embrace the new experiences and enjoy it because it's going to be really fun. You will now have the opportunity to pursue all different kinds of things that you never had time to do.”
Butler qualified again for this year's National Age Group Triathlon championships and will be traveling to Milwaukee in August 2021 to compete in the Sprint Distance classification. He hopes to improve upon his performance in 2019 in Cleveland. Good luck to David!
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Do you happen to be in the middle of your own Second (or third) Act? Email us to let us know and you may find your story in a future newsletter.
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Dr. Nancy R. Hamant died on November 26, 2020, at age 85. She was very dear to the hearts of emeriti. Besides her remarkable career, she served on the Emeriti Association Board from 2013-2017.
Nancy was an associate professor emerita in CECH, longtime Faculty Athletics Representative, and along with husband Tom, longtime George Smith Society Members and dedicated season-ticket holders. She earned three degrees from UC: a bachelor's in A&S, master's in Education and PhD from CECH. Nancy dedicated her career and adult life to supporting the University of Cincinnati, retiring in 2007, having spent 43 years preparing UC students for future teaching careers.
Nancy had a tremendous impact on her college, the university, and the Cincinnati region. She joined the UC faculty in 1964, served as a former president of the UC Alumni Association and chaired UC's We're All UC faculty/staff campaigns. She became Coordinator of Professional Experiences in the College of Education, and placed thousands of students in teaching positions. Many student support services still offered today were originally started by Nancy. She and Tom also were long-time student benefactors, including establishing CECH scholarships helping numerous students complete their degrees, and annually providing the Nancy Hamant Scholar-Athlete Award for athletes excelling in the classroom.
Hamant received many accolades for her contributions, including the UC Alumni Distinguished Service Award, the UC Foundation Trustee Award, Faculty Member of the Year (2001), University Service Award, and induction into the UC Athletics Hall of Fame for her many years of service highlighted by her lengthy role as Faculty Representative to the NCAA. Finally, in 2010, she was awarded UC's highest alumni honor, the William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement from the UC Alumni Association. The Nancy Hamant Academics Center, on the 5th floor of the Richard Lindner Athletics Center, was named August 3, 2006 and she was inducted into the UCATS Order of the Black Blazer and UC's James P. Kelly Sr. UC Athletics Hall of Fame.
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Venus Bluestein
College of Arts and Sciences
During her time at UC, Bluestein was a professor of psychology. She volunteered at the Cincinnati Zoo and Parky's Farm. She died on July 30, 2020 at the age of 87.
Andrew Bodocsi
College of Engineering and Applied Science
Bodocsi was born in Budapest, Hungary on July 11, 1931. He became an instructor for UC in 1960 in the Civil Engineering program, eventually becoming the Assistant Department Head for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He died on March 12, 2021 at the age of 89.
Eiji Hashimoto
College-Conservatory of Music
Hashimoto was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1931. He was invited by the College-Conservatory of Music in 1968 to start a harpsichord program. Afterwards, he also began baroque performance workshops. He retired in 2001. He died on January 14, 2021 at the age of 89,
Paul E. Potter
College of Arts and Sciences
Potter was born in Springfield, OH on August 30, 1925. He served in the U.S. Army until World War II and later went to study geology at UC. He became a professor at UC and retired nineteen years later in 1992 to teach in Brazil. He died on July 4, 2020 at the age of 94.
Yeong Ging Tsuei
College of Engineering and Applied Science
Tsuei was born in Anhui Province, China. He obtained a mechanical engineering degree in Taiwan from the National Cheng Kung University. He taught at UC for thirty years as a tenured professor. He died on August 7, 2020 at the age of 88.
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CCM is the largest single source of performing arts presentations in the state of Ohio. The annual calendar boasts nearly 1,000 events, ranging from solo recitals to fully-staged opera and musical theater performances. |
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Emeriti Connection is produced and distributed by the Office of the Executive Director of the Emeriti Center. If you have questions or comments, please email us at emeriti@uc.edu. |
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Issue No. 15 - Spring 2021 |
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