Izzat Idriss ’58, professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis, was named a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Idriss was honored for his major contributions to the understanding of soil behavior during earthquakes and the development of analysis procedures that are widely used in geotechnical earthquake engineering practice. Over the past 43 years, he has investigated numerous major earthquakes and has directed more than 100 projects pertaining to the safety of dams, industrial facilities, nuclear power plants, bridges, and pipelines during an earthquake. Author or co-author of 160 technical papers and research reports and recipient of numerous awards, Idriss is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and an honorary member of the Japanese Geotechnical Society.

Hooshang Heshmat, Ph.D. ’88, left, was awarded the 2008 STLE International Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of tribology. This is the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers’ highest honor. The award cites his significant contributions to the science and technology of advanced foil bearings and successful application of this knowledge to industry, as well as his contributions to powder lubrication and development of the quasi-hydrodynamic lubrication theory.

Heshmat is co-founder, president, and CEO/technical director of Mohawk Innovative Technology Inc. (MiTi) in Albany, N.Y.

The second annual MusicFest was held during Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 17-19. Alumni gathered for a sing-along at the Heffner Alumni House with Rod Blumenau ’65 at the keyboard. The group also joined with the student a cappella group the Rusty Pipes to perform the Canadian and American national anthems at the RPI vs. Bentley hockey game.