Klohn Crippen Berger establishes new graduate scholarship at the University of Alberta
May 9, 2013
The Geotechnical Centre at the University of Alberta celebrated the establishment of the Earle Klohn Graduate Scholarship in Geotechnical Engineering. KCB President & CEO Bryan Watts and scholarship namesake Earle J. Klohn presented the inaugural award to Nicholas Beier at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton.
KCB donated $150,000 to create an endowment fund which will provide scholarships valued at a minimum of $5,000 annually to outstanding students pursuing graduate research in the field of geotechnical engineering specializing in the geotechnical behaviour or the environmental impact of mine tailings. Klohn is an international authority on the design and construction of tailings dams and has specialized in the design of embankments and the foundations for heavy industrial developments.
At the dinner, Watts made a surprise announcement of an additional donation of $100,000 to the endowment, now worth $250,000.
"This scholarship is a testament to Klohn Crippen Berger's vision and commitment to building the next generation of geotechnical engineers," said Dr. Ward Wilson, Professor at the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.
In his speech, Klohn, who graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, recognized the University's strong history of geotechnical education and training and mentoring of geotechnical engineers. "I am honoured that [KCB] would do something like this for me."
Photo courtesy of Jen Stogowski Photography
(L to R): Ward Wilson, Nicholas Beier, Earle Klohn and Dave Sego