Ward Lecture Series 2014: John Stranix on Building Fields of Dreams
At 柑橘直播 University, National Engineers Week 2014 culminated with the College of Engineering鈥檚 Patrick J. Cunningham Jr. and Susan Ward 鈥�80 Endowed Lecture Series. Alumnus John Stranix 鈥�78 CE returned to campus to speak on the role of construction project management in 鈥淏uilding Fields of Dreams.鈥� As the founder and president of Stranix Associates, LLC, a highly regarded large-scale engineering project management and owner representation firm on the East Coast, Stranix offered unique insight on the topic. Given his expertise in all aspects of engineering and construction, as well as operations, funding, community relations and regulatory issues, Stranix鈥檚 lecture was of interest to engineering and business students alike. More than 300 students attended his presentation.
Stranix began his lecture with a brief overview of his career history, sharing both his failures and successes. He offered valuable advice based on the lessons he learned from each:
- Work hard at everything you do.
- Have fun while you鈥檙e working.
- Don鈥檛 let setbacks set you back.
- Always ask 鈥淲hat鈥檚 next?鈥�
As he moved through his presentation, Stranix emphasized the role of project management throughout a job鈥檚 life cycle. He presented several of his largest projects, sharing the challenges that accompanied each, from the urban setting of the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. to the unique roofing structure for the United States Institute of Peace. 鈥淩egardless of what you face,鈥� Stranix reminded the audience, 鈥淕et back on the horse and ride again.鈥� He added, 鈥淟ife for us as engineers is about much more than engineering. It鈥檚 about circumstances, people, teamwork, communication and relationships.鈥�
Stranix spent the majority of his presentation talking about the building of Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. He acknowledged the stress that comes with a hard and fast deadline like opening day for baseball season. He pointed out obstacles like weather, contaminated soil and even unruly Eagles fans that can impact a project鈥檚 progress. 鈥淚 compare project management to conducting an entire symphony,鈥� said Stranix.
John Stranix with Craig James 鈥�14 CE and Conor McAliney 鈥�14 CE
Before his lecture, Stranix and his wife Regina enjoyed lunch and networking with engineering students in the Multidisciplinary Design Lab (MDL), during which Director George Simmons offered an overview of current MDL initiatives, which are industry-sponsored senior design capstone projects. These projects included a drop foot device and related artificial muscle, sponsored by the McDonnell Foundation, and new methods for detecting flaws in castle nuts for SPS Technologies, a PCC Company. Mechanical Engineering graduate students Paula Torres and David Straple were also given an opportunity to share details about their Endoscope Handle Manipulator project, on which they are in collaboration with Temple University Hospital doctors.
While those who were unable to attend the Ward Lecture missed out on free soft pretzels, a recording of Stranix鈥檚 presentation is available .