The University of Buffalo’s Civil Engineering Department was the scene of a recent presentation by NRMCA Senior Director, National Resources, Doug O’Neill on ACI 330 and the proper design and construction of concrete parking lots for a class on pavement design. Since ACI 330R-08 is not currently a part of their curriculum, the class of 32 students heard for the first time how concrete parking lots should be designed.

"This shows just how critical it is for our industry to continue reaching out to aspiring design professionals at the source of their educational development," O’Neill said. After reading about the success cultivated by the Kentucky Ready-Mixed Concrete Association, (an April 8 E-NEWS item), O’Neill decided to make contact with this Top 25 civil engineering programs in the U.S. as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. His request for inclusion of ACI 330 was met with enthusiasm by faculty members and one professor invited him to present to her pavement design class before the current semester ended.

"Now that we’ve developed a relationship with the university, our goals for next year include working alongside our partners at the New York Construction Materials Association to help get interested professors  involved with PCA’s very successful Professors’ Workshop along with introducing them to NRMCA’s educational online offerings and resources," O’Neill said.

NRMCA’s Education and Technical Resources Department is working on a specific program designed for university professors to provide them with additional information and resources. O’Neill and his frequent colleague Greg Novitzki, vice president at NY Materials, have already started to develop further opportunities at other engineering schools throughout New York State.