UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State chapter of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) has been named an ACI Outstanding University for 2019.
The award recognizes universities that actively participate in ACI-related activities and programs. This is the third time in four years that Penn State has received this designation, in addition to an ACI Excellent Award in 2015.
“As a chapter, we feel honored to receive this award,” said Cody Calabro, president of the Penn State ACI chapter. “It shows the activities of our members do not go unnoticed, and it’s a continued step in the right direction for the chapter.”
Each university seeking recognition must submit an entry form detailing their activities for the year. The ACI then may identify a chapter as either excellent or outstanding based on a points system that rewards total chapter membership, community service and participation by both students and faculty in ACI competitions and conferences.
According to Calabro, the chapter has been busy this year creating a concrete beam reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) for the ACI FRP Composites Competition in the fall, working with the Penn State Concrete Canoe team and creating two fiber-reinforced concrete bowling balls for the ACI FRC Bowling Ball Competition held in the spring. They are also preparing to hold an ACI Grade I certification class for Penn State students in coordination with the Pittsburgh ACI chapter.
All recipients of the award will be honored at the ACI Spring Concrete Convention and Exposition, held in Chicago, Illinois, from March 28 to April 1. They will also be featured in Concrete International magazine, and each chapter will receive a banner to recognize the achievement.