PCI Foundation Grant Establishes 4-Year Studio 2021- 2024
Focused on Precast and Prestressed Concrete Education
Professor Jovan Tatar explained how the PCI Foundation grant would impact the University of Delaware, Tatar is in photo at left.
“Our existing curriculum does not sufficiently address precast concrete. As part of the studio, we plan to modify our existing courses to cover significantly more hands-on precast concrete content. In addition to lectures covering different facets of the precast industry and structural design, the class will integrate site visits and guest lectures."
CHICAGO, July 19, 2021 ---
Each year the PCI Foundation awards curriculum development grants to universities who submit applications and pass a rigorous review process for acceptance. The University of Delaware is one of this year’s grantees. Located in Newark, Delaware, the University of Delaware is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university.
“The PCI Foundation’s mission is to put precast concrete in the classroom so future architects, engineers and construction managers are aware of the possibilities of precast concrete and its myriad uses,” said Marty McIntyre, Executive Director of the Chicago-based PCI Foundation. “Key components to each of the grants we award include industry partnership, new precast curriculum and innovative experiential learning.”
“For 2021, we had a record number of schools apply and are proud to announce the University of Delaware has been awarded funds for a four-year studio incorporating education about the uses of precast and prestressed concrete.”
Name of University: University of Delaware, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Location: DuPont Hall 356B, Newark, DE 19716
Amount granted: $100,000 over a 4-year period
Timing: July 2021 through 2024
Precast Industry Partners:
· Concrete Building Systems, Delmar, DE
· Ernest Maier, Bladensburg, MD
· Metromont Corporation, Richmond, VA
· Northeast Precast, Vineland, NJ
· Shockey Precast, Winchester, VA
· Smith-Midland Corporation, Midland, VA
PCI Regional Director: Dawn Decker, Executive Director, PCI Mid-Atlantic
Quote from Jovan Tatar, Ph.D., University of Delaware, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (photo)
“Our existing curriculum does not sufficiently address precast concrete. As part of the studio, we plan to modify our existing courses to cover significantly more hands-on precast concrete content. In addition to lectures covering different facets of the precast industry and structural design, the class will integrate site visits and guest lectures.
We are particularly excited to engage students in hands-on precast design projects where they will collaborate with industry professionals”.
Professor and Department Chair Jack Puleo added, “This program will make our students more competitive in the job market while also nurturing our relationship with the industry and helping the precast industry recruit top talent”.