Dr. Cheng,
Thank you for the contact. It's great to hear the good news about Civil
Engineering at Ole Miss, and your thoughts in giving those of us who are out of
the mainstream an opportunity to "stay connected" are deeply
appreciated. I'll look forward to returning to campus in the relatively
near future and look forward to meeting you.
I'm a January 1960 graduate, and I suspect all my professors (Tom Stallworth,
Zack Sherman, Ken Stead, et. al.) have long since retired - although my son
reported to me that Dr. Stead was his professor also in the late '70s.
Dr. Stead was just starting out at Ole Miss when I left. I also
understand that a classmate of mine, James Barnette of Corpus Christi, Texas,
was recently named Engineering Alumnus of the Year.
I'm currently completing (ETC, May 2004) an assignment as construction manager
on a US-funded wastewater project in Alexandria, Egypt. I thought I was
retired 4 years ago when Metcalf & Eddy called from Boston. My
background includes several construction management jobs in the Middle East (I
was a Middle East specialist during my US Army career), and a stint as legal
advisor to the Saudi Arabian Air Force. I studied Middle East Affairs at
the U. of Arizona and Law at The Catholic University of America in Washington,
DC. The unique mix of education and experience has certainly kept an old
man working! I had no idea what lay ahead of me when I started out in
Engineering School at Ole Miss in September 1955, but it's been a great - if
somewhat eclectic - career, and I'm grateful for the start I had there.
Thanks again for your time, Dr. Cheng, and continued success with the Civil
Engineering program at Ole Miss.
Regards,
Bobby V. (Bob) Whitaker
BSCE, Ole Miss Class of 1959 (January 1960)