February 17, 2007: Dr. Uzair (Sam) Shamsi receives 2007 ASCE Pittsburgh Civil Engineer of the Year Award

It is with great pride that the ASCE Pittsburgh Section has selected Dr. Uzair (Sam) Shamsi as this year’s recipient of the Civil Engineer of the Year Award.

ASCE Pittsburgh Section (covers one third of Pennsylvania west of Altoona), on an annual basis, has the great honor to provide awards to its members in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments.  Some of the most prominent Civil Engineering personalities and the most significant engineering projects in Western Pennsylvania are among the previous winners. 

The preeminent award given is the Civil Engineer of the Year Award which recognizes a civil engineer for his or her established reputation for professional service and attainment; meritorious achievement; long years of distinguished service and acknowledged eminence; valuable contributions in improved practice, and applications benefiting the profession; contributions to increasing knowledge and advancement in his or her branch of engineering in papers, other written contributions, research or practice; activity in ASCE affairs, local and national; community service outside of the profession and character and integrity.

See the Awards Banquet Program.

Acceptance Speech by Dr. Shamsi

My journey leading to this award began 23 years ago in 1984 when I met Dr. Rafael Quimpo at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand. As a visiting professor, Dr. Quimpo was invited to attend my Masters thesis defence. I knew I passed the thesis exam when Dr. Quimpo opened his brief case and handed me the admission application for the University of Pittsburg. I would, therefore, like to begin by thanking my dissertation advisor and 1983 ASCE Pittsburgh Professor of the year, Dr. Quimpo. Dr. Quimpo, thank you for your relentless mentoring and support throughout my career.

Upon my graduation from Pitt in 1988, Bruce Fletcher of Chester Engineers hired me from a job fair at Pitt. He is the only boss I have had since that day. As a manager, Bruce has been to me what Don King was to Mohammed Ali – a passionate promoter. Only in America! Bruce, thank you for your friendship and mentoring.

After I joined Chester Engineers and everyone started lining up to give me work, my initial reaction was that Chester had too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

But, now that I am a Chief and I am being honored for doing something that I am so passionate about, I see that the system works. Only in America!

It’s even more amazing that my Chester office happens to be located at exactly the same geographic coordinates where I landed 23 years ago. That’s possible only in Pittsburgh!

I would be remiss if I forgot to thank my colleague and 2006 ASCE Pittsburgh President Greg Scott for nominating me for this award.

This is a very humbling experience. Anytime that you receive some form of special recognition it is very rewarding. However, when you are being honored by a group of your peers it is even more satisfying. It’s an honor indeed. Thanks ASCE !!!