ISSMGE Bulletin – Volume 2 Issue 3 September 2008

A Message from the Vice President

By Professor Waldemar Hachich

This would have been the time for the message from the Vice-President for North America. My message from South America had to be put to paper ahead of schedule because of John Seychuk’s misfortune of having to face some temporary strain, which ultimately led him to resign his post last August.

I cannot, therefore, refrain from saying a couple of words about John. We have worked very close for the past three years, especially as members of the Advisory Committee for the Pan-American Conference held in Venezuela in 2007. John and I have had long, enlightening discussions about the Pan-American Committee — a particularity of North and South America, the only two ISSMGE regions that have a common Regional Conference —, and proposed a revision of its statutes to make them more realistic and pragmatic, especially with respect to the choice of the Casagrande Lecturer. And John is the person to interact with, if common sense, sound engineering judgment, and pragmatism are at issue. All our joint proposals have been approved at the Pan-American Committee meeting held in July, 2007. Interacting with “BBJ” has been both stimulating and rewarding. ISSMGE — and myself in particular — will miss his most qualified opinion here in the “New World”.

Enthusiastic as ever about the geotechnical activities in the three North American member societies, John would probably have concluded his report on a high note: “the three societies in the region keep moving full steam ahead, as one can easily infer from a visit to their Web pages”. Hope we continue to exchange opinions and views, John. Peace! Welcome to the group, Dennis Becker, and let us work together for a memorable Pan-American Conference in Toronto, 2011.

Read more >>

Download ISSMGE Bulletin – Volume 2 Issue 3 September 2008

PDF format