Sulzbach selected as Distinguished Lecturer

GOLDEN, Colo. , Jan 16, 2007 – Candace Sulzbach, a lecturer in the Division of Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, was chosen by her peers as this year's Faculty Senate Distinguished Lecturer.

Sulzbach will present “Enhancing Engineering Education through the Concrete Canoe Competition” on Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. in Metals Hall at the Green Center , 16th and Cheyenne Streets in Golden.

“Because reinforced concrete is an unlikely material from which to construct a canoe, it forces innovation and creativity in the engineering design phase,” Sulzbach notes. “The design/build process required to create a competitive concrete canoe provides civil engineering students with an opportunity to gain hands-on practical experience and leadership skills that will enhance their engineering education.”

American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) student chapters have been building and racing concrete canoes in regional competitions since the early 1970s. Mines students, under Sulzbach's guidance, have participated in regional and national concrete canoe competitions since 1995. The Mines ASCE chapter hosted the National Concrete Canoe Competition in 2000. Sulzbach, the ASCE faculty advisor for 13 years, has received the award of “Outstanding Faculty Advisor—Zone III” four times.

The Faculty Senate Distinguished Lecturer Award, established in 1990, gives Mines faculty the opportunity to annually recognize one of their outstanding colleagues. They select a lecturer admired and respected as an educator, as well as a person known for having stimulating ideas to convey and an ability to communicate those ideas effectively.

Sulzbach is a registered Professional Engineer who graduated from Mines in 1981 with a B.S. degree in Mineral Engineering (civil specialty). She worked as a project engineer for Exxon Co., USA at its Benicia , Calif. , refinery until 1983 when she returned to Mines as an instructor.

She has served on the McBride Honors Tutorial Committee, is a member of the Affiliated Faculty of the Center for Engineering Education on campus, serves as a Metro Area Director on the Mines Alumni Board of Directors and has been honored several times with the “Outstanding Faculty Member-Civil Engineering” award given by graduating seniors at the Alumni Association Senior Banquet during commencement. She is also the faculty advisor of Mines' Society of Women Engineers, awarded 2nd place as “Outstanding Collegiate Section” for 2005-2006.

Founded in 1874, Colorado School of Mines was established to serve the needs of the local mining industry. Today, the School has an international reputation for excellence in both engineering education and the applied sciences with special expertise in the development and stewardship of the Earth's resources. For more information about Colorado School of Mines, visit www.mines.edu .

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Contact: Karen Gilbert, 303-273-3541
Karen.Gilbert@is.mines.edu