Building bridges to the White House

D.C. Weekly Update: FIU’s Atorod Azizinamini was named a 2015 White House Transportation Champion Change on the same week that legislation was reintroduced to authorize funding of University Transportation Center programs. 

The 2015 White House Transportation Champions of Change along with Department of Transportation leadership.

FIU bridge expert named as White House Champion of Change

The White House and the U.S. Department of Transportation honored Atorod Azizinamini, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the College of Engineering and Computing, Oct. 13 for his cutting-edge innovations in short-span bridge technology.

White House Champions of Change, focused on “Beyond Traffic: Innovators in Transportation for the Future,” recognized 11 champions, including Azizinamini, as innovators in transportation and growing the American economy.

“At FIU, we are providing efficient and economical solutions for the many challenges we face with our bridges and infrastructure,” Azizinamini said. “Being named a Champion of Change is recognition of the impact that we have had.”

Azizinamini shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx.

As director of the Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC) at FIU, Azizinamini developed the Folded Steel Plate Girder (FSPG) Bridge System in 2009, which has proved to provide an economical steel bridge alternative for short span bridges. FSPG is a rapid alternative to replacing short span bridges with minimal impact to traffic and mobility.

Azizinamini’s system has greater cost effectiveness and durability as well. Although the FSPG bridge system is five percent more expensive than those made of standard concrete, they are expected to have double the lifespan.

UTC and highway reauthorization bills reintroduced

South Florida Congressman Carlos Curbelo and Congressman Dan Lipinski of Illinois introduced the reauthorization of a transportation bill that would provide funding of the University Transportation Center (UTC) programs for five years, amounting to $72 million. The ABC-UTC program at FIU would be funded by this bill, if passed by Congress.

The mark-up for the highway and transit portion of this legislation is scheduled for Oct. 22.

Latinos Achieve campaign launched on last day of Hispanic Heritage Month

Alumnus Darren Marin with VP of Governmental Affairs Michelle Palacio at the White House.

To celebrate the end of Hispanic Heritage Month Oct. 15, the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics launched a national day of action with the Latinos Achieve campaign.

That same day, President Obama recognized Hispanic Heritage month at the White House.

FIU Give Back fundraising reception Oct. 21

In honor of 50 years since FIU’s founding, the second annual Give Back fundraising reception will take place in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m.

The purpose of the event is to raise support for highly-motivated FIU students through the First Generation Scholarship Fund and to support student internships in Washington, D.C. through the D.C. Make A Difference Fund.

Along with alumni, staff and Members of Congress, students who could one day benefit from the fundraising efforts will be in attendance.

To learn more about the Give Back fundraising reception or to make a contribution, click here.

White House hosts Astronomy Night Oct. 19

The White House hosted the second ever Astronomy Night Oct. 19. Students and educators were invited to the South Lawn of the White House to stargaze and participate in other hands-on activities. During the event, space experts and special guests were on Twitter answering questions about space.

FIU hosted a local version of Astronomy Night at the Stocker AstroScience Center.

Panthers spotted in D.C.

• Michelle Palacio – vice president of Governmental Relations, FIU
• Carlos Duart – president, CDR Macguire

For more on FIU’s role in D.C. or to see what the office is involved with this fall, stay connected with FIU in D.C. on Facebook and Twitter:

Twitter: @FIUdc

Facebook: FIU Federal Relations, FIU In DC

Website: FIU Federal Relations

Email: Federal@fiu.edu