RCI-IIBEC Foundation Inc.
The RCI-IIBEC Foundation's mission is to support research, education, and the dissemination of information for issues important to the building enclosure industry.
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Foundations Fund Attendance of 25 Students at Building Enclosure Symposium in Milwaukee
The RCI-IIBEC Foundation and RCI Foundation Canada provided funding for 25 full-time college students from all over the US and Canada to attend the 2022 IIBEC/AEI Building Enclosure Symposium, November 14–15, 2022, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Universities represented at the BES included:
- Ashworth College
- Durham College
- George Brown University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Louisiana State University, Shreveport
- Michigan State University
- Mississippi State University
- Ohio Northern
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Texas A&M University
- University of Kentucky
- University of New Haven
- University of Ottawa
- University of Texas at Arlington
- University of Victoria
- Virginia Tech University
- Western Florida University
- Western Ontario University
Here is what the students had to say about their experience:
“BES is one of the few experiences that involves and connects students directly to industry professionals and allows them to experience the conference as if they are already industry professionals themselves. It is a great opportunity to understand the wide range of professions available to anyone involved with architectural engineering or building science. Through these conferences, I have earned scholarships and internships, and I have expanded my network across state lines, which is a priceless experience for any college student.”—Elizabeth Sirkman, Illinois Institute of Technology
“My experience at BES was both educational and eye-opening. As a student who is new to this ‘world’ or ’industry,’ I gained insight at the symposium into what professionals do daily, as well as learning about the innovations they should consider to have a well-built, sustainable environment. The symposium was a chance for students to meet professionals and learn more about the industry they are about to embark on, and I cannot be grateful enough to have had such an opportunity. It is one that students need to attend!”—Ashley Saquic, Texas A&M University
“BES was a phenomenal experience! I was able to network with industry professionals, gain insight into building enclosure/architectural engineering practices, and meet students with different backgrounds. BES and other IIBEC conventions have opened employment opportunities for me throughout my undergraduate/graduate studies. If you are in an architecture/engineering/building science program, I highly recommend you apply to the BES student sponsorship program so that you can see for yourself what the building enclosure industry is all about. The industry is growing fast and is looking for the next generation of talented, hardworking, and knowledgeable building enclosure specialists!”—Philip Pachade, Western Ontario University
“IIBEC is the best when it comes to treating students well. Including us in everything and treating us as adult members of these professional meetings is the key. Other organizations may have student meetings separate from the general membership, but they do not expose students to the real activities of the organization.” —Devin Gelband, Ohio Northern University
“I think the biggest takeaway I received from the event was that there are resources at our fingertips, and it’s all about taking advantage of them. By partaking in the BES, I was able to gain invaluable networking and learning experiences, whether it be from the presenters, hosts, exhibitors, or attendees. I was able to learn about different ways to get involved and about resources for expanding my learning. Not to mention that there are so many people who want to help and give mentorship. All it takes is to show interest and stay curious! Thanks for hosting this amazing event!”—Alyssa Wang, University of Ottawa
These student sponsorships to attend BES were made possible by donors to the RCI-IIBEC Foundation’s Joe Hale Student Sponsorship Fund and RCI Foundation Canada’s Student Convention Fund. Applications for students to attend the 2023 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show in Houston, Texas, will be available beginning the second week of January.
For more information about donating or sponsorships, contact Rick Gardner, Foundations Development Officer at Rgardner@iibec.org or 919-551-6227.
Foundation Announces 2022-2023 Scholarship Awards
The RCI-IIBEC Foundation is excited to announce its 2022–2023 academic scholarship recipients of the Robert W. Lyons and RCI Lewis W. Newlan scholarships. The $5,000 Lyons scholarship is specifically for undergraduate education expenses for students studying construction or building sciences, architecture, or engineering. The RCI Lewis W. Newlan scholarship is for $2,500 and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students—again for studies in construction or building sciences, architecture, or engineering. Scholarship winners are selected based on financial need, letters of recommendation, and the student’s request for consideration.
This year’s scholarship recipients follow.
Robert W. Lyons Scholarship Recipients
Cesar Bedolla-Hurtado from East Wenatchee, Washington, is a civil engineering student at Washington State University. He is president of the WSU American Society of Civil Engineers as well as the team captain of the Design Build Institute of America.
Imandra Mudalige of Toronto, Ontario, is a third-year student at George Brown College studying Civil Engineering Technology. Mudalige’s passion lies in sustainable building design and green construction. She is currently a student council member with Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) – Toronto Chapter and is a Live Green Volunteer with the City of Toronto.
Hannah Power from Newark, Delaware, is completing her degree in structural engineering at the University of Delaware. Power is active with the Women’s Transportation Seminar, Engineers Without Borders, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Concrete Institute, American Galvanizers Association, and the Deep Foundations Institute.
Izma Siddiqui from Chicago, Illinois, attends Harold Washington College and is studying architecture. She is a 22-year-old, first-generation Pakistani American looking to tackle the housing crisis one life experience at a time. Siddiqui loves to read, bake, and bike around the city exploring the ethnically diverse neighborhoods.
RCI Lewis W. Newlan Recipients
Blake Murr from Macon, Missouri, is an undergraduate at Moberly Area Community College studying civil engineering. He is involved with Phi Theta Kappa and currently is interning with Capital Construction out of Jefferson City, Missouri. He plans to pursue a job in project management after graduation.
Juan Perez from Aurora, Nebraska, is studying mechanical/civil engineering at Doane University in Crete, Nebraska. Perez plays football and is member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society as well as the Cardinal Key Honor Society.
Arwa Yafai is from Chicago, Illinois, and is studying architecture at Harold Washington College. Yafai is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and serves as treasurer of the Student Government Association.
Alim Zannatun is from Warren, Michigan, and is studying architecture at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Design. She just came back from a two-week study-abroad trip in Mexico. She is working with the National Academy Foundation in collaboration with University of Michigan’s College of Engineering to mentor and teach at a special summer camp for Detroit high school students. Zannatun is the first female in her family to pursue a college level degree.
Since these scholarships were established, the foundation has donated $150,000 to support students through these academic scholarships. Thanks to all the foundation donors who made these scholarships possible. Donations continue to be accepted to support both scholarship funds. For more information, visit the foundation’s website at https://rci-iibecfoundation.org/donate.aspx or contact Foundations Development Officer Rick Gardner at 919-859-0742 or rgardner@iibec.org.
Foundation Supports Research on Thermal Bridging via Roof Fasteners
The overall goal of the project is to provide a better understanding to the industry of simulated versus tested thermal conductance in 3-D configurations, in support of relative comparison of quantitative thermal effects of fasteners in different roof assemblies.
The expected completion date is December, 2021. Following conclusion of the study, the research team hopes to share results through presentations at IIBEC conferences and meetings, as well as through scientific papers.
Funding for this research is made possible through gifts to the Foundation’s General Fund for Research and Education and, specifically, through GAF as well as through in-kind donations from SGH. “GAF and SGH are both very excited to support this research and the information it will provide for the entire building industry,” said Helene Hardy-Pierce, Secretary of the Foundation and GAF’s Technical Director.
“After running computer models for an SGH-sponsored paper published by ASTM in 2015, it became apparent that roofing insulation fasteners will cause significant thermal bridging,” said Eric Olson of SGH, the lead author of a 2015 paper considering thermal bridging of roofing details. “These effects are not considered by many in the roofing industry, and there exists no clear guidance on how to deal with them. Validation of the computer models with physical laboratory analysis—the aim of the current study—is the next logical step to building practical methods for considering their effects.”
The RCI-IIBEC Foundation has implemented a focused effort on various initiatives within our organization. We want to give you, our wonderful donors, the opportunity to choose to earmark your pledges and donations in the areas that matter most to you!
The RCI-IIBEC Foundation's mission is to support research, education, and the dissemination of information for issues important to the building enclosure industry. With your help, we can make a difference for the industry, its professionals, students and the world at large. Thank you for visiting!