image: The New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers has presented the Educator of the Year to John Schuring, Stabile Professor for Innovation and Technology at NJIT. view more
Credit: New Jersey Institute of Technology
The New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has presented the Educator of the Year Award to John Schuring, Stabile Professor for Innovation and Technology at NJIT. (ATTENTION MEDIA: To interview Schuring as an expert, contact Sheryl Weinstein at 973-596-3436.)
Schuring, of Blairstown, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, has 35 years of experience in the areas of geotechnical and civil engineering in both the academic field and professional practice. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in engineering geology, hydraulics, hydrogeology, and construction materials. He is the founding director of the NJIT Hydraulics and Hydrogeology Laboratory, and also served as an academic administrator for eight years, first as department chair and later as interim dean of the Newark College of Engineering.
Schuring is a dedicated teacher and mentor. He was recently designated a University Master Teacher and was also awarded the prestigious Van Houten Award, NJIT's highest teaching honor. He is the longtime faculty advisor to NJIT's student chapter of ASCE.
Under Schuring's guidance the chapter has enjoyed a high level of activity. NJIT students have won numerous competitions and awards, while at the same time learning about professional careers, leadership, teamwork, creativity, and community service. Of special note is the chapter's performance in the Annual Student Steel Bridge Competition sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and ASCE. Over the last decade, the motivated team has captured first and second-place finishes in the New York Metro Region, regularly advancing to nationals.
Schuring's current research and consulting interests include engineering geomorphology, bridge scour, deep foundations, and ground water treatment. His funded research, which has totaled more than $2.5 million, has been supported by US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Education, US Air Force and more. Union Carbide, AT&T, BP America and other corporations have also supported his work. Schuring has published 50 articles in symposia proceedings, technical journals, and special technical publications. Schuring has also consulted on dozens of transportation projects for regional agencies, including NJ Department of Transportation, the NYS Thruway Authority, the Triboro Bridge and Tunnel Authority and more.
He has served as a media expert during national infrastructure emergencies by providing interviews to news outlets such as the New York Times, CNN, Associated Press, the television stations in and around the metropolitan region and more. He has been an excellent source for helping to interpret the engineering aspects of an emergency to the public.
Schuring holds five U.S. patents for a novel technique to treat contaminated soil and ground water. The process, known as "Pneumatic Fracturing," allows cost effective cleanup of buried hazardous and toxic waste dumps in order to protect drinking water supplies. Pneumatic Fracturing is now in commercial use throughout the U.S and abroad, and, to date, it has been applied to decontaminate more than 250 polluted industrial and government sites.
Schuring's other honors include the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award from NJ's Research and Design Council, the Harlan J. Perlis Award for Research and more. Schuring is a registered professional engineer and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. Schuring received a PhD in geotechnical engineering and a BE in civil engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, and a MCE in geotechnical engineering from the University of Alaska.
NJIT, New Jersey's science and technology university, at the edge in knowledge, enrolls more than 8,400 students in bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in 92 degree programs offered by six colleges: Newark College of Engineering, College of Architecture and Design, College of Science and Liberal Arts, School of Management, Albert Dorman Honors College and College of Computing Sciences. NJIT is renowned for expertise in architecture, applied mathematics, wireless communications and networking, solar physics, advanced engineered particulate materials, nanotechnology, neural engineering and e-learning. In 2009, Princeton Review named NJIT among the nation's top 25 campuses for technology and among the top 150 for best value. U.S. News & World Report's 2008 Annual Guide to America's Best Colleges ranked NJIT in the top tier of national research universities. Contact: Sheryl Weinstein, director, public relations, Sheryl.m.weinstein@njit.edu, 973-596-3436.