Thank you to everyone for attending the ASCE Joint Dinner in Atchison. It was a great evening that included meeting some CE students, a presentation on the KC levees project and the announcement of three ASCE Kansas Section awards.
Outstanding Member Award Winner:
Aaron Frits, P.E., M.ASCE
Aaron Frits is a past president of the Kansas Section and Kansas Section Younger Member Group of ASCE. Additionally, he has served two terms (6 years) as an ASCE Region Governor for Region 7. During his last two years as Governor, he also became a member of the ASCE Leader Training Committee (LTC). As part of LTC, he led the planning of the Multi-Regional Leadership Conferences (MRLCs). Aaron currently serves as Chair of LTC, as well as an ASCE Student Chapter practitioner advisor for the University of Kansas. Aaron served on the AASHTO Technical Committee on Geometric Design, and was lead author of Chapter 9, Intersections of “A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets” (better known as the Green Book). He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Kansas, teaching Advanced Highway Design.
The support that Aaron has provided to ASCE has been consistent and energetic. He
challenges members to become involved and encourages those already doing so to do more. He is passionate about giving back to the civil engineering profession by serving in professional organizations.
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:
Michael W. Berry, P.E.
Starting upon receiving his master’s degree in 1980, Mike’s professional career spanned 36 years before retiring and taking a full-time academic position at Benedictine. Mike’s entire professional career was spent at Professional Engineering Consultants. Beginning in Wichita, Mike worked in PEC’s Land
Development and Transportation Divisions eventually becoming the Land Development Division Manager. Subsequently he moved to the Topeka Department and became Department Manager, overseeing all civil engineering projects in the Topeka and Lawrence offices. Mike worked on numerous projects over his career including street and highway improvements, drainage and stormwater management, and zoning. Perhaps Mike’s most significant contribution, though, is his dedication to developing the next generation of engineers. Throughout his time at PEC he mentored dozens of young engineers, helping them to develop their own engineering careers. Additionally, he continued to support the education and professional development of new engineers as a professor at Benedictine College.
Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award Winner:
Dr. Scott D. Schiff
Dr. Schiff became the Advisor of the ASCE Student Chapter at Kansas State University (KSU) in January 2018. Since then he has become a dedicated and successful faculty advisor. He attends all officer meeting and assemblies (1- to 1.5-hour monthly sessions with a speaker). He also attended all joint dinners hosted by the ASCE Student Chapters in Kansas and the Kansas Section. Dr. Schiff has brought new enthusiasm to the Student Chapter at KSU by increasing memberships and participation in the steel bridge and concrete canoe design teams. Under his leadership, the KSU Student Chapter hosted the joint dinner and Bob Thorn Lectureship in the spring of 2020 after a hiatus of two years. Under his tutelage, the ASCE Steel Bridge earned the first place last Spring and made to the national competition. Dr. Schiff attended all regional competitions and is currently planning to host the 2023 ASCE Midwest Symposium on the KSU campus.