CEE alumnus James Harris (MS 75, PhD 80) has won the 2024 Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Award for Design from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The OPAL Awards annually recognize engineering professionals whose achievements set standards for outstanding careers worthy of admiration, inspiration and emulation in one of five areas: construction, design, education, government and management.
Harris is the principal of J.R. Harris & Company in Denver, CO. His structural engineering knowledge has benefited the profession since the late 1960s, including as an active member of several committees that produce national standards. He has chaired the committee producing updates to ASCE/SEI 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, and its subcommittee on seismic design. Harris has helped the American Concrete Institute and the American Institute of Steel Construction prepare commonly used standards for the structural use of concrete and steel in buildings.
Harris previously received the CEEAA Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009 and The Grainger College of Engineering Alumni Award for Distinguished Service in 2010.
Harris will be presented his award at the 2024 OPAL Gala on October 8, 2024 as part of the ASCE Annual Convention in Tampa, FL.
More information on the 2024 OPAL winners can be found here.