Winners of the 2016 Alumni Awards with department Chair Lucio Soibelman. Photo courtesy of Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
On the evening of Nov. 30, the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering honored their most esteemed and active alumni with an awards dinner at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles.
After welcoming guests to the event, department Chair Lucio Soibelman listed the new hires and recent faculty awards before acknowledging the newly renovated water and structures labs, supported by funding provided by donors and Viterbi Dean Yannis Yortsos. Soibelman then announced the award winners, presenting each with a crystal plaque and a Viterbi necktie for the men, or bouquet of flowers for the women.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Patrick Fuscoe with department Chair Lucio Soibelman. Photo courtesy of Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Richard Hunsaker, B.S. CE, ‘63
In 1976, Richard Hunsaker and his three partners founded the development firm Hunsaker & Associates. Today, as president of the firm, he is responsible for reviewing engineering plans and negotiating with clients and governmental agencies on the development of communities throughout Southern California. His services to both church and community have earned him an invitation to the Knights of Malta, a religious order dedicated to defending faith and serving the poor, in which he was inducted in 1999.
His grandson Joshua, a Viterbi mechanical engineering master’s student, accepted the award on his behalf after playing a video message of gratitude from Richard Hunsaker.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Patrick Fuscoe, B.S. CE, ‘72
Patrick Fuscoe, founder and CEO of Fuscoe Engineering, has been lead engineer on a number of highly acclaimed construction projects, earning him recognition and awards from various organizations, including Ernst & Young and the American Society of Civil Engineers. In addition, Fuscoe is on the board of advisors for Viterbi School of Engineering.
During his acceptance speech, Fuscoe accredited his success to the excellent training he received from the faculty at USC.
Outstanding Alumni Award
Jay Todd Max and Kirsten Rice. Photo courtesy of Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Jay Todd Max, B.S. ENE, ’13, Viv Pitter, B.S. ENE, ’13 and Kirsten Rice, B.S. CE, ‘13
Together, in 2013, Jay Todd Max, Viv Pitter and Kirsten Rice formed the Community Water Project, an organization working to bring clean water to rural areas in the developing world. Raising $20,000 from an Indiegogo campaign and $5,000 through a National Geographic grant, the team built a water system in Nyarubuye, Rwanda, supplying over 500 families with clean water. The project has earned them numerous awards, including the 2013 Parent’s Choice Award at the USC Student Innovator Showcase and Fast Pitch.
Upon acceptance of the award, Rice thanked Astani Department Professor Massoud Pirbazari, the faculty advisor who encouraged their work.
Alumni Service Award
Kim Grant, B.S. CE, ‘81
Kim Grant is vice president of operations at Skanska USA Building Inc., as well as co-president of USC’s Construction Alumni Group and a participant in the Viterbi Student-Alumni Mentoring Program (VSAMP). Grant works with USC alumni who are in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction, promoting their professional relationships and growth. In addition, she has been a sponsor and supporter of the annual symposium held by USC’s Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) for over 20 years.
Published on December 9th, 2016
Last updated on March 15th, 2017
