In Memorium Ken Robichaux, P.E., CBO

LOUISIANA ENGINEERING SOCIETY BATON ROUGE CHAPTER OCTOBER 2007 NEWSLETTER

IN MEMORIUM – KEN ROBICHAUX, P.E., CBO

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Kenneth Robichaux, P.E., CBO, who lost his battle with cancer on October 12, 2007. Ken was a tireless contributor to the engineering profession, serving as an engineer and certified building official with the LA State Fire Marshal’s Office. He was a humble servant of the Louisiana Engineering Society, holding offices as Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Baton Rouge Chapter. He was a fixture at every gathering, always laughing and talking to anyone and everyone. He will be sadly missed by his engineering colleagues. Our deepest sympathies are sent to the Robichaux family.

KENNY “ROBIE” ROBICHAUX The beloved son of the late Nic and Jackie Robichaux passed away in Baton Rouge after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, Oct. 12, 2007. Kenny was born Nov. 10, 1953, in New Orleans where he graduated from Jesuit High School. He earned a degree from LSU in economics and a degree in electrical engineering from Tulane. He was also a P.E., a CBO, an officer in the Electrical Engineering Society, the owner of Robichaux Research Laboratories and the inventor of the Robie measurement system. He worked for the Office of the State Fire Marshall and will be greatly missed by his friends and relatives. Friends and relatives are invited to attend visitation at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, on Sunday, Oct. 14, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visiting continues Monday, Oct. 15, from 8:30 a.m. until service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Jerry Martin. Graveside service at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Cemetery, Jeanerette, on Monday, at 2 p.m. He is survived by two brothers, Van Robichaux and wife Karen of New Orleans, and Steve Robichaux and wife Amy of Baton Rouge; two sisters, Hilda Robichaux McNeeley and husband Jimmy, and Marsha Robichaux, all of Mobile, Ala.; five nieces, Renee Robichaux, Melissa Reid, Jennifer Reid, Claire Robichaux and Sally Robichaux; four nephews, Van Robichaux III, Ronald Jay Reid Jr., Max Stephen Robichaux and Jack Robert Robichaux. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Manresa House, P.O. Box 89, Convent, LA 70723.

Published in The Advocate from 10/13/2007 - 10/14/2007.

OCTOBER 2007 NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 LOUISIANA ENGINEERING SOCIETY BATON ROUGE CHAPTER

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS By: Robbie Lear, P.E., LSI

We are all saddened by the loss of Ken Robichaux. No one was a stranger for long when Ken was around. His passion for the engineering profession and serving the public good are second to none. Ken is the second friend I’ve lost to cancer this year. I’m reminded of how indiscriminate this disease is, and how difficult the battle can be to overcome its challenges. I will miss Ken and always remember his laughter and dedication.

As we move forward, a new member will fill the Secretary/Treasurer position for the Chapter. According to the bylaws, an election will take place at the next general membership meeting on November 8, 2007. Nominations will be opened at the meeting, and an election will immediately follow.

The Baton Rouge Chapter will be hosting our 14th annual LSU/Southern Student Function on November 8th. We are asking for sponsors from the engineering community to contribute to the William A. Wintz, Jr. Scholarship Fund, which helps make this event possible. All contributions are tax deductible and can be sent to me at 10305 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. Checks should be made payable to the “LES Education Fund”.

The function starts at 5:00 pm at the Patrick F. Taylor Hall (formerly CEBA) on LSU’s campus with a 1 PDH ethics seminar. The seminar will be presented by Donna Sentell, LAPELS Executive Secretary, and will be a case study style format. While the professionals are earning their PDH’s, board members from LES and LAPELS will discuss licensure and the engineering profession with the engineering students. Our goal is to inform them of the importance of licensure and the benefits offered by LES. At 6:00, we will move to the south courtyard to enjoy a jambalaya dinner prepared by Chef Richard Savoie. We encourage you to mingle with the students and share your insight and experience in the engineering profession. You may even find your next superstar engineer!!!

The Future Cities competition needs your help. We need additional schools to sign up for the competition, and engineering mentors for some schools who have already signed up. Baton Rouge has won two of the last three national competitions. Our students can not compete nationally if we don’t have 25 schools signed up at the state level. Give our students a chance to compete while learning a thing or two yourself by volunteering as a school mentor for Future Cities. Additional information is included in this newsletter.

I am proud to announce the 2007 Baton Rouge Chapter Honors and Awards winners: Phil Meyers, P.E, Rhaoul Guillaume, P.E., Alan Krouse, P.E., Dr. Brian Wolshon, P.E., and Robbie Lear, P.E., LSI. These winners will be considered for the LES Statewide Honors and Awards, which are selected on November 30. The impressive talent pool within the Baton Rouge Chapter makes it difficult to choose just one nominee for each category. Please congratulate these members the next time you see them.

For the latest news and information about the Baton Rouge Chapter, visit us on the web at

www.les-state.org/brchapter

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER LUNCHEON OCTOBER-NOVEMBER LUNCHEON ETHICS PDH OPPORTUNITY 14TH ANNUAL LSU / SOUTHERN STUDENT FUNCTION

This month’s luncheon offers a unique experience When: Thursday, November 8, 2007 for both LES members and our area’s engineering 6:00 p.m. students. The LES is combining the annual LSU- Southern Student Function with a professional Where: Patrick F. Taylor Hall (formerly CEBA) ethics PDH opportunity. LSU Campus Function to Follow in South Courtyard While our professionals are attending the ethics Parking available in the Faculty Parking adjacent to Patrick F. Taylor Hall at Nicholson seminar, LES and LAPELS representatives will Extension Entrance – Tell the attendant you meet with the students to encourage licensure, are with LES provide information about LES and discuss career options and expectations after graduation. We Speaker: LAPELS Representative encourage our professionals attending the ethics seminar to continue these discussions with the Topic: Engineering Ethics Case Studies students while we enjoy jambalaya cooked by 1 Hour PDH Chef Richard Savoie, P.E. Format: 1 Hour PDH Session with an open house The Baton Rouge Chapter is soliciting corporate style Jambalaya Dinner to follow in the sponsors for the event. Proceeds collected from South Courtyard. Interaction with the sponsors are put towards the William A. Wintz, students is encouraged. Jr. Scholarship Program and are tax deductible. Cost: $20.00 Each year the Baton Rouge Chapter presents scholarships to deserving LSU and Southern RSVP: Geoff Wilson, E.I. undergraduate engineering students. These 225-383-2997 or scholarships are awarded at the E-Week Banquet [email protected] in February. Refer to our letter attached at the end of the newsletter for details on sponsoring. Make Checks Payable to “LES-Baton Rouge Chapter” The jambalaya dinner is free to all LES members. Attendance to the Ethics Seminar is $20 per person. As stated earlier, all sponsorship funds are put towards the scholarship program and does not secure a seat at the ethics seminar. We look forward to seeing all of you at the event!!!

LSU-SOUTHERN STUDENT FACULTY FUNCTION

November 8, 2007 6:00 pm

South Courtyard – CEBA Bldg. LSU Campus

Be a corporate sponsor of the LSU-Southern Student & Faculty Function and help fund the William A. Wintz, Jr. LES Scholarship Fund. Each year the scholarship committee awards scholarships to deserving undergraduate students in engineering at both LSU and Southern University. Contact Gerald Robbie Lear at 225-298-0800 or [email protected] for more information.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS LES CALENDAR OF EVENTS The following individuals are new members of LES. If you see these individuals, please welcome them to the Society. November 8, 2007 Student Function Daniel Kliebert, P.E. Dow Chemical Patrick F. Tayor Hall, LSU Heather Keith, E.I. LaDOTD  Renee Leblanc, P.E. CDI Engineering December 6, 2007 Lindsey Dziuba, P.E. ILD, Inc. General Meeting Lacob Loeske, P.E. Shread-Kuyrkendall & Associates, Inc.  January 24, 2008 General Meeting HONORS AND AWARDS  January 25, 2008 BATON ROUGE CHAPTER AWARD WINNERS / STATEWIDE NOMINEES Future City State Competition  The Baton Rouge Chapter is proud to announce the 2007-2008 Chapter February 2008 Honors and Awards Winners: Mathcounts Regionals  A.B. PATTERSON MEDAL FOR AN ENGINEER IN MANAGEMENT February 17-23, 2008 Phillip Meyers, P.E. – GEC, Inc. E-Week  ANDREW M. LOCKETT MEDAL FOR CIVIC ACTIVITIES February 21, 2008 Rhaoul Guillaume, P.E. – Gotech, Inc. E-Week Banquet  March 27, 2008 F. HUGH COUGHLIN YOUNG ENGINEER AWARD General Meeting Robbie Lear, P.E., LSI – Sigma Consulting Group, Inc.  April 24, 2008 JAMES M. TODD TECHNOLOGICAL ACCOMPLISHMENT MEDAL General Meeting Dr. Brian Wolshon, P.E. – LSU Dept. of Civil & Environmental  Engineering May 22, 2008 General Meeting LEO M. ODOM AWARD FOR SERVICES TO THE PROFESSION Alan Krouse, P.E. – Shaw Environment & Infrastructure Any announcements? Email Dan Rosenquist at [email protected] These award winners are nominated by the Chapter for consideration in the statewide LES Honors and Awards. Please congratulate our award winners the next time you see them. Hopefully, the Baton Rouge Chapter can bring home the state honors as well.

LETS KEEP GOING BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA FUTURE CITY COMPETITION CALL FOR MENTORS By: Dan Rosenquist, P.E. 2007 Competition Recap Last year, students from St. Thomas More of Baton Rouge were the Future Cities National Champions. Future Cities The LES Baton Rouge Chapter is proud to th th is a national competition of which 7 and 8 graders design announce that St. Thomas More of Baton and build a city of the future with pratical applications of Rouge, winner of the Louisiana Statewide math and science principles. To keep this winning tradition Competition, also won the National going we need area Engineers to step up to be mentors to Championship. Their future city "Mwinda" is a new city in an old land. The mission of Mwinda insure schools around Louisiana have what they need to is to ensure opportunity for a good life by keep competing within this fun and exciting educational providing power, housing, water, food, and engineering program. transportation. .

Schools around the Rouge Area are looking for Engineers to help mentor and serve as an integral part of their team. In order for any of the schools to qualify and compete at the National Level, Louisiana has to have at least 25 schools particiapting in the State competition. With only 10 schools registured so far, and the deadline is near (Oct 31st, 2007), we are asking for you commitment to help insure that schools wanting to participate, will have the support it needs from local engineers. Also, if you have children in the 7th or 8th grade, we encourage you to recruit the school to participate in Future Cities.

If interested in answering this call, please visit the Future City Competition website at http://www.futurecity.org/ for competition information and give a Gerald Doyle a call at 225-381-5895 (or email at [email protected]).

PE Licensure Schedule and Info Examination Schedule

Examinations in land surveying and in the Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Structural I, and Structural II engineering disciplines are offered in the spring and fall of each year.

Examinations in the discipline of Architectural engineering and Naval Architecture & Marine engineering are offered ONLY in the spring of each year.

Examinations in all other engineering disciplines are offered ONLY in the fall of each year.

The professional examinations are offered on Fridays, and the fundamentals examinations are offered on Saturdays. Upcoming examination weekends include: October 26-27, 2007 April 11-12, 2008 October 24-25, 2008 New Information Deadline Fast Approaching December 1, 2007 First Time Applicants January 24, 2008 Reschedules If you have failed the exam four or more times, LAPELS Board policy (effective September 28, 2006) requires that you do the following to become eligible to retake the examination: 1. Submit a new application with updated references and updated experience; 2. Pass the online Louisiana Laws and Rules exam; and 3. Pay the current application fee. Instructions and applications can be found at www.lapels.com. If you have questions, contact our office at (225) 925-6291.

LES BATON ROUGE CHAPTER 2007-2008 OFFICERS President: Secretary / Treasurer Robbie Lear, P.E., L.S.I. Open for Nomination [email protected] 225-298-0800

President Elect 1st Director Dan Rosenquist, P.E. Gerald Doyle, P.E. [email protected] [email protected] 225-368-2800 225-381-5895

Vice President 2nd Director Geoff Wilson, E.I. Dave Rambaran, P.E. [email protected] [email protected] 225-757-0558 318.767.8858

Visit us on the web http://www.les-state.org/brchapter/

P.O. Box 80640 (BR 70898) 9447 Brookline Ave. Baton Rouge, LA 70809

President – Robert Lear, P.E., LSI Secretary/Treasurer – Ken Robichaux, P.E. President Elect – Dan Rosenquist, P.E. Director – Gerald Doyle, P.E. Vice-President – Geoff Wilson, E.I. Director – Dave Rambaran, P.E.

Dear LES Member:

The LES Baton Rouge Chapter will be hosting our 14th annual LSU-Southern Student / Faculty Jambalaya Dinner on Thursday, November 8, 2007 in the South Courtyard of the LSU CEBA Building. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. with jambalaya and soft drinks being served. This meeting is an opportunity to explain to students about LES and what LES does for the engineering profession. It also gives students the opportunity to meet engineers and potential employers in a casual setting in order to discuss our great profession.

The Chapter is currently seeking sponsors for this event. This event will serve as our fund raising effort for the William A. Wintz, Jr Scholarship Program. The amount and number of scholarships depends on your contributions to the program. Sponsor’s names will be posted on a board at the function and posted in the November LES newsletter and LES website. The three grades of sponsorship are as follows:

PLATINUM - $250.00 AND UP GOLD - $100.00 TO $250 SILVER - UP TO $100.00

This event has proven to be very successful in the past and this year hopes to be no exception. We are expecting between 200-300 students for this event. We also will be holding a 1 hour Ethics PDH meeting prior to the function and expect a large professional turn-out. If you would like to be a sponsor for this event, please make a check payable to LES Education Fund and mail to LES c/o Robbie Lear at 10305 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816.

If you or any of your staff plan to attend the event, the faculty parking lot adjacent to CEBA will be reserved for attendees. If you have any questions, please contact me at (318) 290-9533. LES Board and Members looks forward to seeing you at the function.

Sincerely, LOUISIANA ENGINEERING SOCIETY BATON ROUGE CHAPTER

Dave Rambaran, P.E. LES-Baton Rouge Chapter Director