News
Huff Chair in Civil Engineering Established
The College of Engineering announced the establishment of the Karen and John Huff School Chair in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE). As chair of CEE, Dr. Joseph B. Hughes will be the initial holder of the Huff Chair.
“We greatly appreciate the generosity of Karen and John Huff who have made this chair possible,” said Dr. Don Giddens, Dean of the College of Engineering. “Joe has had a close relationship with John Huff for many years, so this is a fitting recognition of that as well as John Huff’s love for Georgia Tech.” Endowed chairs enhance the quality of programs in higher education through the recognition and contributions of the chair holder. The position is among the highest and most prestigious appointments in academe, and endowed chairs honor significant scholarly or creative achievement and academic excellence.
John Huff received his B.S. degree from Georgia Tech in civil engineering in 1968 and is currently Chairman and CEO of Huff International, an advisory and capital management company investing in new technology for the energy industry. He also is Chairman of the Board for Oceaneering International, Inc. Huff was inducted into the Engineering Hall of Fame in November of 2007. Also in 2007, he received the Offshore Technology Distinguished Achievement Award. An active offshore energy industry spokesman, Mr. Huff is a past member of the National Petroleum Council and a past Director of the National Ocean Industries Association, International Association of Drilling Contractors, and served on the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee.
Dr. Hughes is very honored to be the inaugural Huff Chair holder. When asked about the gift's imapct, Hughes stated "The establishment of the Karen and John Huff School Chair in Civil and Environmental Engineering will have a profound, long-term effect on the School, the College, and the Institute. This Chair will attract dynamic individuals within the civil and environmental engineering profession to CEE, and it will insure that the School is always blessed with strong leadership. For CEE to sustain and advance its role as one of the world's leading programs, effective, strong, and visionary leadership is essential. The establishment of this chair is a testament to the Karen and John's commitment to Georgia Tech, and also to their recognition of the importance of leadership in successful organizations."
Joseph B. (Joe) Hughes has been chair of CEE since 2003. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from the University of Iowa in Environmental Engineering and a B.A. from Cornell College in Chemistry. Prior to his appointment at Georgia Tech, he was on the faculty of Rice University, also serving as Professor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering.