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MCEER Announces New Director
George C. Lee Takes on New Role

Dear Readers,

Last fall, at my request, the University at Buffalo began a national search for the next director of MCEER. I am pleased to report that Michel Bruneau has accepted the position, effective at the beginning of the fall semester on August 25, 2003. Michel is a well established earthquake engineering researcher with an enormous amount of knowledge, experience and energy. I am confident that he will provide the necessary leadership for our Center to realize its vision. Please join me in congratulating and supporting Michel in his new position as MCEER director.

I will continue to do my best to serve MCEER as a researcher, to manage its international programs, and to be more involved in MCEER’s research-education interface activities. Furthermore, I will continue to be the project director for the FHWA contract. I will maintain an office at MCEER headquarters and my contact information will remain the same.

Earthquake engineering at UB began its development about 30 years ago, when the University made a decision to construct the shaking table facility in the new civil engineering department building back in 1975. The structural dynamics and earthquake engineering laboratory at Ketter Hall became a reality in 1982. In 1986, UB became home to NCEER and since that time, has received continued support from UB, the State of New York, and consortium institutions. As a result, MCEER today is well regarded for its pioneering role in the application of advanced technologies in earthquake hazard mitigation and in disaster response/recovery through multidisciplinary team efforts involving engineering and social sciences. With Michel’s appointment to the directorship, MCEER can expect a continued and accelerated growth in accomplishing its mission.

George C. Lee,
Director