J. S. Chen, William Prager Professor of Structural Engineering Department and Director of Center for Extreme Events Research of UCSD Jacob School of Engineering, has been elected as the President of Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) of ASCE, effective October 1, 2015. The missions of EMI are to serve the engineering community through the development and application of engineering mechanics by anticipating and adapting to new challenges that will face tomorrow's engineers; to create an environment that facilitates professional growth to ensure that these future challenges will be met; to establish a presence at the forefront of new thrusts of mechanics by promoting the most innovative developments in the field, regardless of the discipline of the ultimate user; to provide a home not only for those involved in the traditional disciplines, but also for those involved with emerging areas of mechanics; and to promote the interdependence of engineering mechanics and other disciplines by providing an interdisciplinary forum for researchers, practicing engineers, industry representatives, citizen groups, public officials and others.

For more information about EMI, please visit http://www.asce.org/engineering-mechanics/engineering-mechanics-institute/