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Richard A. Rula School Civil/Env. Engr. (aka MS St

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Dr. Dennis Truax, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, BC.WRE, F.ASCE, Pres.22.ASCE

Richard A. Rula School Civil/Env. Engr. (aka MS St




Bio

DENNIS D. TRUAX, PH.D., P.E., BCEE, BC.WRE, FASC, F.NSPE, F.ASCE

Environmental and Water Resources Consulting Engineer

2022 ASCE PRESIDENT

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

EDUCATION

  • Harvard Academic Management Development Program, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, 2007
  • Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Mississippi State University (MSU), 1986
  • MS Civil Engineering, MSU, 1978
  • BS Civil Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1976
  • Diplomate of Water Resources Engineering (D.WRE), American Academy of Water Resources Engineers, 2018
  • Diplomate of Environmental Engineering (DEE), Water and Wastewater Engineering, American Academy of Environmental Engineers, 1989
  • Professional Engineer, Mississippi, 1980

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • James T. White Endowed Chair, Department Head and Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, MSU, 2006-2021
  • Director, Mississippi Transportation Research Center, MSU, 2014–2021
  • Faculty Member, Department of Civil Engineering, MSU, 1980-2021
  • Consulting Engineer, various agencies, companies, and firms, 1983-2023
  • Principal and Vice President for Engineering, ATi Aeration Corporation, 1999-2006
  • Principal, Aeration Systems Design (ASD), LLC, 1997-2000
  • Principal, Civil Engineering Services, Inc., 1991-1998

ASCE INVOLVEMENT 

     Society-Level

  • Committee on Technical Advancement
  • Chair, 2019-2020
  • Vice Chair, 2018-2019
  • Richard Torrens and Associate Editor Award Committee, 2017-2019
  • ExCom Liaison to Energy and Wind Engineering Divisions, 2016-2018
  • Committee on Licensure, 2018-2020
  • Student Competitions Task Force, 2018-2019
  • Task Committee, Raise the Bar Review, 2016-2017
  • Treasurer, 2014-2016; Assistant Treasurer, 2012-2014
  • Executive Committee, 2014-2016
  • Program and Finance Committee, 2012-2016, 2002-2004
    • Chair, 2014-2016
  • ASCE Foundation Anniversary Video interviewee, 2015
  • Task Committee, Committee Restructuring, 2010-2012
  • Task Committee, Engineers Without Borders, 2008-2010
  • ASCE Foundation Strategic Planning Committee, 2008-2009
  • Task Committee, Body of Knowledge Educational Fulfillment Committee, 2007-2009
  • Task Committee, Civil Engineering Program Criteria, 2013
  • Audit Committee, 2003-2009
  • Chair, 2007-2009
  • Vice-Chair, 2005-2006
  • District 14 Director, 2001-2004
  • Committee on Diversity and Women in Civil Engineering, 2001-2004
  • Co-Chair, White Men as Full Diversity Partners Workshop, 2003
  • P. Sloan Foundation Project Team, 2001-2002
  • North American Alliance for Civil Engineering – Electronic Knowledge Working Group, 2002-2004
  • Education and Practice Publications Committee, 1998-2008
  • Associate Editor, Journal Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 1999-2006
  • Committee on Scholarships, 1997-2013
  • Chairman, 1999-2000, 2003-2004, 2007-2008, 2011-2012
  • Secretary, 1998-1999, 2002-2003, 2006-2007, 2010-2011
  • Committee on Student Services, 1993-1996
  • Chairman, 1995-1996
  • AISC National Steel Bridge Competition Committee, 1994-1996
  • Daniel W. Mead Review Sub-Committee, 1993-1995
  • Committee on Career Guidance, 1990-1993
  • Chairman, 1991-1992
  • Secretary, 1990-1991
  • Manuscript Reviewer
  • Congress on Technical Advancement, 2017-2018
  • Transportation Division Journal, 2012
  • Environmental Division Journal, 1995-2009
  • Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 1995-2006

     Local Level

  • Mississippi State University Student Chapter Faculty Advisor, 1981-2006, during which the Chapter received:
  • 2005 Outstanding Service Award
  • 1995 and 1996 Robert Ridgway Student Chapter Award
  • Four Zone II Vice President's Awards
  • Twelve Certificates of Commendation
  • Five Letters of Honorable Mention
  • Two Letters of Significant Improvement
  • Mississippi Section
  • District Council Meeting Coordinator, 2005
  • Board of Directors,1993-2006
  • District Council Director, 2004-2005
  • Immediate-Past President, 1992-1993
  • President, 1991-1992
  • President-Elect, 1990-1991
  • Chairman, State of Mississippi TEAMS, 1989-1995
  • Co-Chairman, Fall Section Meeting,1985, 1989 and 1993
  • Co-Chairman, Spring Section Meeting, 1995, 2000 and 2003
  • Northeast Coordinator of TEAMS, 1985-1989
  • Region 5
  • Region Governor, Mississippi, 2004-2008
  • Chair, Region 5 Nominations Committee, 2006-2007
  • Chair, Region 5 Formation and Bylaws Committee, 2004-2006

 

OTHER VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

  • ABET
  • NSPE EAC Commissioner, 2014-2019
  • Curriculum Committee, 2014-2019
  • Team Chair (seven times), 2014-2018
  • Civil Engineering Program Evaluator (six times), 2009-2023
  • Environmental Engineering Program Evaluator (ten times), 2010-2023
  • American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards Jurist, 2013-2015
  • American Water Works Association (AWWA) Alabama-Mississippi Section - Secretary-Treasurer, Memorial Scholarship Board of Directors, 1998-2013
  • Mississippi Engineering Society
    • Immediate-Past President, 1989-1990
    • President, 1988-1989
    • President-Elect, 1988
    • Region III Vice-President, 1986-1988
    • Board of Directors, 1984-1985, 1986-1990
  • National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
    • Southern Zone Nominations Committee, 2015-2020, 2022-2024; Chair, 2017-2020
    • Engineering Licensure Model Task Force, 2019-2024
    • Education Committee, 2015-2019
    • Tellers Committee Chair, 2017
    • Advisory Committee on Council Activities, 2011-2015; Chair, 2014-2015
  • National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
    • UN Sustainable Development Goals Workshop Liaison, 2018-2019
    • ABET EAC Commissioner, 2014-2019
    • Professional Engineers in Higher Education (PEHE) Executive Board
      • Past Chair, 2016-2017
      • Chair, 2015-2016
      • Southeast Regional Vice Chair, 2014-2015
    • Order of the Engineer, Mississippi State University Link Liaison
      • Link Governor, 2007-present
  • State of Mississippi
    • Board of Licensure of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, 2005-2006, 2010-present
      • President, 2014-2015, 2018-2019
      • Vice President, 2013-2014, 2017-2018
      • Board Secretary, 2012-2013
      • Joint Board of Engineers and Surveyors and Board of Architects Committee on Building Design and Construction, 2013-present
    • Department of Environmental Quality
      • Mississippi Nutrient Task Force, 2001-2009
      • Reviewer for State Revolving Funds (SRF) Program POTW Plans and Specifications Checklist, 1992
    • Department of Health
      • On-Site Wastewater Advisory Council, 2001-2004, 2011-2021
        • Chairman, 2014-2021
        • Chairman, Sub-Committee on System Evaluation, 2012
      • Department of Transportation
        • State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Executive Council, 2012-2021
        • Mississippi Transportation Institute Board of Directors, 2009-2011, 2019-2021
      • Hazardous Waste Facility Technical Siting Committee
        • Chairman, Subcommittee on Floodplains, Flooding, and Watersheds, 1992-1994

AWARDS

  • Academy of Distinguished Alumni, Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University, 2021
  • Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award, ASCE, 2020
  • American Society of Civil Engineers Region 5 Wall of Honor, 2020
  • Life Member, Water Environment Federation, 2019
  • Distinguished Service Award, NCEES, 2018
  • Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers, 2017
  • Fellow, National Society of Professional Engineers, 2016
  • Mississippi State University Chapter Honor Member, Chi Epsilon (National), 2016
  • Phi Kappa Phi, national academic honorary, 2008
  • Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award, American Society of Civil Engineers, six times between 1996 and 2006
  • Bagley College of Engineering Academy of Fellows, Mississippi State University, 2005
  • Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers, 1999
  • Scholtes Civil Engineering Teaching Award, Mississippi State University, 1997
  • Hearin-Hess Professor of Engineering, Mississippi State University, 1993-1996
  • Civil Engineer of the Year, Mississippi Section of ASCE, 1995
  • Golden Key National Honor Society, 1995
  • Engineering Education Excellence Award, PEE Division, Mississippi Engineering Society, 1995
  • City of New Orleans, Louisiana, Honorary Citizen, 1991
  • Certificate of Commendation, National Association of Water Institute Directors and the National Association of State Universities and Land‑Grant Colleges, 1989
  • Sigma Xi, 1987
  • Jaycees' Outstanding Young Men of America, 1983
  • Chi Epsilon, 1983
  • Tau Beta Pi, 1979