From the Director's Desk
Greetings from UK.
This issue of Waterworks represents our first fully online version of the newsletter. We hope this will provide a more reliable source of information for future reference. If you would still prefer to receive a hard copy version, please drop an email to Anna Hoover, and we will put you on the distribution list.
On March 26th, 2007, we held the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute annual meeting at Marriott's Griffin Gate Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky. This year's event attracted 28 excellent papers on several different topics, ranging from microbial source tracking to more traditional topics of surface and groundwater (please see the accompanying proceedings). We were also excited to have 21 separate poster presentations. As in years past, the meeting provided an excellent venue to learn about new research initiatives as well as to renew friendships. During the luncheon, Jim Kipp recognized the eight recipients of the 2007-08 Student Enhancement Grants. We also recognized the accomplishments of both David White and Judy Petersen through the awarding of the Bill Barfield Research Award and the Robert Lauderdale Water Quality Award, respectively.
This year has seen the graduation of four graduate students who have worked very closely over the past two years with the KWRRI. These students are Seth Bradley, Josh Kopp, Aswartha Balla, and Manasa Damera. Seth worked on research related to pathogen issues in Eastern Kentucky; Josh worked on groundwater issues associated with the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant; Aswartha worked on rainfall issues related to watershed modeling in Jefferson County; and Manasa developed a model for dissolved oxygen for the South Fork of Beargrass Creek in Louisville. Each student did an excellent job with the research, and each student received multiple job offers upon graduation, reinforcing the fact that water resources remains an important and rewarding field of study.
As I write this article, Kentucky is beginning to move into a moderate drought, once again re-enforcing the importance of water resources and water resource planning. Fortunately, and largely due to the efforts of Steve Reeder and the Kentucky River Authority, at least some progress is being made on the Kentucky River. As we continue to wait for more long term solutions, all of us can continue to do our part to be good stewards with the resources that we have been given through more efficient water use and through water conservation. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "We will never know the true value of water until the well runs dry." This issue was made even more poignant during two recent conferences I attended in Nevada and Florida -- both located in regions where droughts are beginning to have significant economic impacts. More information on the current and projected national drought situation can be found at the National Drought Mitigation Center.
At the beginning of 2007, I stepped down as chair of the Kentucky Water Quality Commission. During my tenure as chair, I had the opportunity to work with several dedicated public servants, ranging from former EPPC Secretary LaJuana Wilcher to various members of the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. I also had the opportunity to work with various members of industry as well as the environmental community. The EQC continues to be served by an outstanding group of citizens, as well as by a dedicated staff. As I travel around the country and discuss the state of environmental issues with researchers and policy makers from other states, I am encouraged by the progress that Kentucky has made in this area but also mindful that our natural resources represent an incredible treasure and one that must be continue to be guarded as well as preserved.
Finally, on a personal note, I would like to briefly reflect on the tragic events that occurred at Virginia Tech. I received a MSCE from Virginia Tech in 1979 and was immediately concerned when I heard the news of the shootings and in particular when I heard it was in Norris Hall. When I attended Tech, the water resources and environmental programs were located in Norris Hall. It is my understanding that the civil engineering program has since been moved to Patton Hall, which is immediately adjacent. I still know several faculty members there -- in particular Dr. G.V. Loganathan, who was my office mate while we both pursued our PhDs at Purdue. We both had the same major professor, Dr. Jack Delleur, and pursued the same research area - hydrology and water resources.
Based on the initial reports, it appeared that the tragedy had been limited to a German class; however, as the events unfolded, the true extent of the disaster became fully known. Ironically, I was teaching an 8:00 water resources class when some of my students informed me that they had heard that a water resource professor at VT had been among those killed. My heart sank when I heard the news. With hesitation, I asked if they had heard a name. When they struggled to pronounce his name, my worst fears were raised and then confirmed when I went to the CNN website.
Apparently, G.V. was teaching an Advanced Hydrology class when the gunman entered his room and killed him and eight of his students. Upon reflecting on the tragic events, one of his former students said that if the gunman had only seen G.V. smile, that it would have disarmed him. Tragically, that was not to be the case.
G.V. was an incredible researcher and teacher. He was even a better human being. He was one of the most humble and gentle persons I have ever known. Following his graduation from Purdue in 1982, we continued to stay in touch, and we typically saw each other once a year at the annual ASCE/EWRI Water Congress. I can't ever remember having a conversation with him, in which he didn't break into his broad characteristic smile and characteristic laugh. G.V. was the type of person who was always more concerned about others than himself. During all the time I knew him, including our days at Purdue, I never heard him say a negative word about anyone or anything. The field of water resources and the discipline of civil engineering has suffered a tragic loss. He will be sorely missed. His life has inspired me to try to be a better person, a better professor, and a better engineer. In one sense, I believe that is one way his life can be honored and cherished.
--Lindell Ormsbee