This month, the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering held its annual banquet to induct new members into its Academy of Distinguished Alumni. The 2024 inductees include Andrés Andújar, Micheal Lee, Fariborz Maseeh, Kevin Moore, Stephen Seeds, Ken Stokoe, Dick Wade, and John Wall. We extend our gratitude to these alumni for their decades of remarkable contributions to engineering and beyond.
(From left to right, bottom row to top row: Fariborz Maseeh, Stephen Seeds, Dick Wade, John Wall, Kenneth Stokoe, Wayne Lott, Andrés Andújar, Michael Lee, Kevin Moore, Patrice Melancon)
Andrés Andújar
B.S. Architectural Engineering, 1980
Andres Andujar is the CEO of Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation, leading the transformation of the 1968 World’s Fair site into a global public space. With expertise in design, construction, finance, and legal frameworks, he manages partnerships and collaborations at all levels of government and with various stakeholders. He holds a Bachelor’s in Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas and has held leadership roles at Parsons Corporation, 3D/International, and Spaw-Glass Construction. A Registered Professional Engineer (inactive), Andres has received numerous recognitions, including being named Downtowner of the Year by Centro San Antonio.
Michael W. Lee
B.S. Architectural Engineering 1981, M.S. Structural Engineering 1983
Michael Lee is a seasoned Professional Engineer licensed in multiple states, specializing in concrete structures, failure investigations, and structural rehabilitation. With extensive experience in both structural design and forensic engineering, he has investigated hundreds of distressed buildings and structures. Lee employs advanced techniques including structural analyses, load tests, and nondestructive testing to determine causes of structural issues. His expertise spans precast, post-tensioned, and long-span structural systems across various facility types. Lee's project portfolio includes high-profile investigations such as stadium column failures and shopping center roof collapses. He is actively involved in industry organizations, serving on technical committees for ACI, PCI, and SEAoT. Lee's comprehensive background in both design and investigation makes him a valuable asset in complex structural engineering projects and litigation consulting.
Fariborz Maseeh
M.S. Civil Engineering 2008
Fariborz Maseeh is a distinguished engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Holding multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. from MIT, he founded IntelliSense in 1991, pioneering MEMS technology. Over three decades, Maseeh has led various companies spanning technology, finance, and real estate. As Managing Principal of Maseeh Enterprises, he oversees diverse investments and funds. His scientific contributions include publications and patents in semiconductor technologies and software design. Maseeh's philanthropy is equally impressive, supporting numerous educational institutions and founding KiDA for autistic children. He serves on prestigious boards, including MIT Corporation and Caltech. In 2023, UT Austin's CAEE Department was renamed in his honor following a transformational donation, reflecting his commitment to "engineering of the big".
Kevin S. Moore
M.S. Civil Engineering 1995
Kevin Moore is a nationally recognized structural engineer specializing in advanced analysis, design, and evaluation dand provided construction engineering support for major projects like the Sacramento Kings Arena. As a lifelong Californian, Kevin is well-versed in stringent building code requirements. His expertise spans new building design, seismic upgrades, forensic engineering, and litigation support. Kevin has held leadership roles at firms including Simpson Gumpertz & Heger and Certus Consulting. He's actively involved in the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California, where he spearheaded the development of two endowments focused on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession. Kevin also holds a patent for a pipe bracing system, demonstrating his innovative approach to structural engineering challenges.
Stephen B. Seeds
B.S. Civil Engineering 1977, M.S. Engineering 1980
Stephen B. Seeds, PE, is a Senior Consultant with over 40 years of experience in pavement engineering. Recently retired from Applied Pavement Technology, Inc., he specializes in pavement evaluation, design, management, research, and forensic investigations. Seeds has managed projects for various government agencies, including FHWA and state DOTs, as well as private organizations. He has contributed significantly to national research projects, including the development of the 1986 AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures. Seeds is renowned for his expertise in performance-related specifications and has served as a principal investigator on several research projects. As an instructor for the FHWA National Highway Institute, he has received multiple Instructor of Excellence Awards. Seeds also provides expert witness support in pavement-related litigation and serves as Co-Program Director for the Nevada Local Technical Assistance Program, offering technical assistance to local agencies.
Kenneth “Ken” H. Stokoe, II (Honorary Member)
B.S. 1966, M.S. 1967, PhD. 1972 University of Michigan
Professor Stokoe is a renowned expert in geotechnical engineering with 50 years of experience in seismic measurements, dynamic material properties, and soil-structure interaction. He pioneered the crosshole seismic method, now an ASTM standard, and developed the combined resonant column and torsional shear (RCTS) system for evaluating dynamic material properties. Stokoe's research has significantly advanced seismic testing of pavements and geotechnical systems, including the development of the Spectral-Analysis-of-Surface-Waves (SASW) method. He has conducted extensive studies for the U.S. Department of Energy at various nuclear facilities. Stokoe led a major NSF-funded project to develop large-scale mobile field equipment for dynamic loading, which has been used by over 30 institutions worldwide. His work has been crucial in evaluating soil nonlinearity and liquefaction in the field. Currently, he leads a NHERI project focused on 2D/3D subsurface imaging and structural health monitoring.
Richard “Dick” L. Wade
B.S. Architectural Engineering 1970
Dick Wade is a distinguished civil engineer and entrepreneur with a career spanning over five decades. A graduate of the University of Texas and the University of Michigan, Wade served in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps from 1970-77, including a tour in Vietnam. In 1977, he founded Wade Construction Company, completing over 1,000 projects in 41 years. He also established Wade Interests, Inc., developing and managing over 800,000 square feet of commercial property. Wade holds professional engineering licenses in Michigan and Texas, and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member. His philanthropic efforts include endowed scholarships for military veterans at UT Austin and Our Lady of the Lake University. Wade served on the Civil Engineer Corp/SeaBee Historical Foundation board and was recognized as the 2016 San Antonio Girls Inc. Champion.
John T. Wall
B.S. Civil Engineering 1970, M.S. Engineering 1976
John Wall received his BSCE in 1970 and MSE in 1976 and is a renowned structural and forensic engineering expert with over five decades of contributions to the field. He began his career at W.E. Simpson in 1971, quickly advancing from junior partner to the largest shareholder of the Simpson Group, where his work "changed the skyline of the city." Among his many notable projects is the inspection and repair of the gymnasium roof at Mexia State School and his celebrated design of the structural system for the Alamodome, simply requesting, "Just give me four big columns here." In 1998, Wall merged with HDR, becoming the Director for the San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Houston branches, where he expanded his influence and expertise. By 2001, he established J. Wall Consulting, specializing in forensic engineering and solving numerous complex design challenges.
An active member of his community, Wall has been recognized throughout his career with such accolades at the 1982 Young Engineer of the Year by the San Antonio Chapter of TSPE, a Fellow of the University of Texas College of Engineering in 1969, and the 1989 Volunteer of the Year for both Texas and Southern Region Little League.
