At the recent American Concrete Institute Convention in Toronto, CivMin’s Professors Emeriti R. D. Hooton and F.J. Vecchio were each honoured with special technical sessions held in their names and with individual receptions.
Doug Hooton
During the ACI Conference in Toronto there were four distinct sessions honouring Professor Emeritus R. Douglas Hooton’s 50 years of research contributions in cementitious materials and concrete durability. With approximately 200 in attendance at each session, the talks were presented by 14 international and Canadian researchers. Several U of T alumni spoke, including Andrea Boddy (CivE 9T7, MASc 2T0), Savio DeSousa (CivE 9T4, MASc 9T6), Kyle Stanish (CivMin MASc 9T7, PhD 2T0), current PhD student Christian Pavlidis (CivE 2T0+PEY, MASc 2T4), and CivMin Prof. Evan Bentz.
An industry-sponsored celebration, held after the formal programming, saw numerous industry professionals and friends of Hooton gather to recognize him. Colleagues, including ACI Ontario Chapter representatives, remarked on the industry achievements, as well as numerous executive positions at ACI Ontario, the honouree has held over a long and illustrious career.
Frank Vecchio
Friends, colleagues and former students from around the world gathered to celebrate the extraordinary career of Professor Emeritus Frank J. Vecchio. The event honoured Vecchio’s outstanding research contributions and his pivotal role in advancing behavioural models and analytical tools for the assessment of concrete structures.
Former CivMin PhD student Dr. Anca Ferche (CivMin PhD 2T0), who acted as the event organizer, remarks, “The reception featured tributes from former students and collaborators, who shared stories highlighting his technical brilliance, mentorship, and lasting influence. Professor Vecchio himself also offered heartfelt remarks, reflecting on his journey and expressing gratitude to the many individuals who have shaped his career. The room was filled with warmth, laughter, and deep appreciation for a career that has not only shaped a field but also touched the lives of countless people within it. Technical sessions followed, further showcasing his enduring impact. It was a fitting tribute to a legacy defined by innovation, generosity, and profound contributions to structural concrete research and education.”
With simultaneous celebration events for the two CivMin professors emeriti on the same evening, several other CivMin professor colleagues gathered.
