Annual Conference & Exposition recap

Railway Track and Structures, Nov, 2007 by Larry Etherton

The AREMA Annual Conference & Exposition returned to the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Ill., September 9-12. The event was an unqualified success. There were 1,290 registrants with 108 spouses registered. The Exposition was oversubscribed with 114 outstanding and informative displays from the railway supply industry.

As in the past, Monday's opening general session included the presentation of the Dr. W. W. Hay Award for Excellence, which recognizes an outstanding achievement in railway engineering. This year's winner was Norfolk Southern Railway Company for the "Keystone Buildout Project." The project was significant to the United States rail industry as it represented the first totally new line construction undertaken by Norfolk Southern in more than a decade.

This year, both Norfolk Southern and CSXT established endowed scholarships to be administered by the AREMA Educational Foundation. Both endowments are for $50,000 each. Tim Drake of Norfolk Southern and Don Bagley of CSXT presented checks to the Foundation during Monday's general session. Thanks to Norfolk Southern and CSXT for their support and investment in the future.

Charley Chambers, chair of the AREMA Educational Foundation Scholarship Award Committee, announced the winners of the AREMA Educational Foundation Scholarships. Four AREMA undergraduate scholarships in the amount of $1,000 were awarded to: Lauren Bendes (Michigan Tech), Briean Griggs (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State), Brent Marsh (Michigan Tech) and Aislinn Weldon (Northeastern University). Eight additional scholarships for $1,000 each funded by various individuals and organizations were awarded. They are: AREMA Staff Scholarship -- Jack Ellsworth (Cornell University), John J. Cunningham Memorial Scholarship -- Bryan Schlake (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Michigan Tech Alumni Scholarships -- Amanda Larsen (Michigan Tech), Nils Stenvig (Michigan Tech) and Joseph Zellmer (Michigan Tech), Committee 18 -- Light Density and Short Line Railways Scholarship -- Nathan Hay (University of Missouri -- Rolla), and the Committee 24 -- Educational and Training Scholarships -- Johnathan White (Michigan Tech) and Matthew Cosgro (Western New England College). One scholarship for $1,200 funded by Committee 12 -- Rail Transit was awarded to John Zollers (Drexel University). Two $1,500 scholarships were awarded: Larry L. Etherton Scholarship -- Jack Contri (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and the AREMA President's Scholarship -- Lauren Hale (Northeastern University). In addition, the following scholarships were awarded: Paul I. Cohen Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 -- John Zeman (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Rail Engineering Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 funded by Michael and Gina Garcia -- Philip Meinel (University of Wisconsin Platteville), Michael W. and Jean D. Franke Family Foundation Scholarship in the amount of $4,000 -- Darwin Schafer (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and the Freeman Scholarship in the amount of $10,000 funded by Belknap Freeman -- Boris Lipchin (Carnegie Mellon University). I urge everyone to invest in the future by contributing to the AREMA Educational Foundation.

This year's selection of technical papers and presentations was excellent both in content and the quality of presentation. Altogether, 57 presentations were given. The papers featured a variety of topics for each engineering discipline. Attendance at the sessions was excellent. Please note that AREMA headquarters has published a Call for Papers for the 2008 Annual Conference. Abstracts and bios are due at AREMA headquarters by December 14, 2007.

The Annual Chairmen's Luncheon held on Tuesday of the Conference recognizes the work of AREMA's Technical Committee chairmen. Of course, committee work is the backbone of the association, without which AREMA deliverables such as the Manual for Railway Engineering would not exist. This year's keynote address was given by Anthony B. Hatch, an independent transportation analyst and consultant.

Many thanks are due for our success in 2007:

* to AREMA President J. Chris Dodge for his leadership

* to Chris' wife, Lina, for hosting an excellent spouse program

* to the Conference Operating Committee, led by Phil Pasterak,

* to Chuck Emely and the AREMA staff

* to our numerous exhibitors, and

* to our sponsors, who contributed so generously.

The 2008 Annual Conference with REMSA Trade Show will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Please mark September 21-24, 2008, on your calendars and make plans to attend.

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