How do we go about accomplishing all of these tasks? When we really start to think about these issues, the questions we need to ask—and the answers to them—can be very complex. At first, the questions may very well be "Who can do all of this?" and "Where does it all begin?"

Within the ACI community, one answer is the ACI Foundation. The ACI Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established by ACI to promote progress, innovation, and collaboration by supporting research and scholarships, while also serving as an independent resource to provide thought leadership and strategic direction for the concrete industry. The goals of the foundation are accomplished through the initiatives of three councils and a legacy program.

The Scholarship Council supports our future concrete innovators and leaders by administering fellowships and scholarships to students. These awards, wholly funded by private donations, give the Scholarship Council means to provide ACI with our next generation of concrete professionals. Past Presidents, Board members, and several distinguished ACI volunteers were introduced to ACI through ACI Foundation scholarships and fellowships. The trend in the past few years, however, is that the demand for these awards exceeds the available funding.

The Concrete Research Council (CRC) advances the knowledge and sustainable aspects of concrete materials, construction, and structures by soliciting, selecting, financing, and publishing research. The CRC works in partnership with other industry foundations to coordinate more substantial and frequent funding for comprehensive, larger-scale research projects. Major updates or changes to ACI technical documents or codes need research—lab or engineering studies to support the changes—and since its formation, the CRC has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund research projects. The future challenge is to continue to provide funding for needed research—typically the missing piece in any research endeavor. The CRC is continually looking to align donors and funding with interesting, innovative, and worthy research projects.

The Strategic Development Council (SDC) is an organization that brings together representatives from the concrete industry, government agencies, and academia to focus on collaborative problem-solving in technology development. Its mission is to accelerate the acceptance of innovative concrete technology by:

• Providing a forum for visioning and prioritizing key challenges facing the concrete industry;
• Assisting ACI in the introduction and timely adoption of innovative technologies, problem solutions, and best practices; and
• Providing a framework for development of programs that respond to industry opportunities and accelerate technology acceptance.

Lastly, the Concrete Legacy Society, established in 2008, comprises a special group of individuals passionate about the concrete industry who have chosen to make a planned charitable bequest to ACI, the ACI Foundation, or specific programs of their choosing. These donors are helping to ensure that future generations will have access to continued advancements in concrete knowledge—advancements that ACI has been providing since its inception in 1904. Bequests to either ACI or the ACI Foundation will be applied to areas in the greatest need and where the greatest impact will be realized.

As a concrete professional and because you are reading this memo, you have already decided that ACI is important to you. As such, we ask that you please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to our future and the future of the industry. For more information, please visit http://acifoundation.org.

William E. Rushing Jr.

He later went on to become President of Form Works Inc., where his numerous accomplishments can be seen throughout South Florida. At Baker Construction, he mentored the next generation of construction engineers. Throughout his career, he was active as a leader in many associations, including former president of American Society of Concrete Contractors, as well as being named a Fellow in the American Concrete Institute. Don was lovingly dubbed the "King of Concrete" by his family.

The Don Marks Memorial Fellowship Challenge

To celebrate Don’s life and legacy, the Don Marks Memorial Fellowship will provide support to an undergraduate or master’s student seeking a builder’s “hands-on” career in the concrete construction industry. Fundraising is a joint effort between the ACI Foundation and the American Society of Concrete Contractors. Dan Baker, Baker Concrete Construction, and Tommy Ruttura, Ruttura & Sons, have made a challenge gift of $150,000 contingent upon the industry raising another $150,000. The commitment and generosity of members can ensure the success and distribution of the Don Marks Memorial Fellowship for years to come.

This new fellowship will be awarded to graduate students studying in the field of structural engineering with an emphasis in reinforced concrete design, and will be funded through the generosity of friends and colleagues. Learn more about the Fellowship.

“Dan was one of the driving forces behind the reorganization of ACI 318-14, Structural Concrete Building Code,” said Sharon L. Wood, ACI President. “It is difficult to say goodbye to a colleague who had such a strong influence on the technical activities within ACI. He was an outstanding engineer, a skilled manager, and most importantly, a close friend.” Read more in Sharon Wood’s President’s Memo.

Randall W. Poston, past Chair of ACI Committee 318 noted that “Dan had an incredible gift of taking a controversial technical issue and breaking it down into practical elements that would develop consensus. This came from his years of practicing structural engineering before joining ACI. He knew with continued resolve and steadfast guidance, committee members would eventually come together and ‘do the right thing.’

With donations received to date, the Foundation was able to award its first recipient a $3000 scholarship. ACI members have graciously contributed $25,000 to fund the scholarship, but an additional $5000 is needed to ensure that it is fully funded for 10 years. It will be through the generosity and commitment of members like yourself that the Foundation hopes to have the ability to continue to offer the Richard D. Stehly Memorial Scholarship for many years to come.

Please consider supporting the future of concrete by donating to the Richard D. Stehly Memorial Scholarship. Your generous donation of any amount will ensure that President Stehly’s vision and spirit for the youngest members of ACI will continue.

Additionally, he was known for his investigation of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He also led the investigation of the structural performance of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City following the 1995 bombing.

“The structural engineering community has lost a great leader and friend in Dr. Corley,” said James Cagley, Past President of ACI. “While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the invaluable contributions he has made over his lifetime to the industry and look forward to helping continue his legacy through this scholarship that will award students who are the future of our industry.”

Dr. Corley most recently served as Senior Vice President of CTLGroup in Skokie, Ill. He authored more than 170 technical papers and books and frequently lectured to technical and nontechnical groups on the subjects of prevention of failures, effects of earthquakes, and design and repair of structures. Dr. Corley was an ACI Fellow and a member of the International Committee (IC), the International Relations Committee, ACI Committees 318, Structural Concrete Building Code; 341, Earthquake-Resistant Concrete Bridges; and Joint ACI-ASCE Committee 343, Concrete Bridge Design. He became an ACI Honorary Member in 2003.

In addition, Dr. Corley was the recipient of numerous awards that include ACI's Wason Medal for Materials Research, the ACI Henry C. Turner Medal, and the ACI Alfred E. Lindau Award, as well as 16 national awards, including election to the National Academy of Engineering and the Best Structural Publication Award from NCSEA.