The Virginia Tech Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) has awarded doctoral students Alper Erturk and Alejandro Pacheco the 2008 Liviu Librescu Memorial Scholarships. The scholarships were presented in memory of Librescu, a professor of ESM, whose last act was to sacrifice himself to save the students in his classroom during the tragic events of April 16, 2007 at Virginia Tech.
Librescu, a Holocaust survivor, died, as he lived, dedicated to his students and to his profession,” said Ishwar Puri, professor and department head. “He was a prolific researcher and a committed teacher, always available for students, a caring advisor to graduate student researchers.”
The recipients of the Librescu Memorial Scholarship must be outstanding students conducting research in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and dynamics, Librescu’s fields of study. The criteria used to identify such students are those well reflected in Librescu's own lifetime of service to his profession and commitment to his colleagues and students: the potential for scholarly achievement in teaching and research, and a demonstrated dedication to the welfare and well-being of others.
Erturk of Eskisehir, Turkey joined the ESM Ph.D. program in 2006 and is expected to complete his doctoral studies in 2009 with a grade point average of 4.0. Librescu served on his Ph.D. advising committee. Erturk has already written a book chapter, 10 papers for archival international journals, seven of which have already been published or accepted, 10 international conference articles and presentations including a contribution to a keynote address.
Erturk’s research in piezoelectric energy harvesting has received attention from scientists all over the world and resulted in many collaborative activities. During the aftermath of Virginia Tech’s April 16 tragedy, Erturk lead efforts to find space for his colleagues who had been displaced from Norris Hall, which was then closed, and organized student meetings to provide input into the decision on its future use.
“It is a great pleasure to be a recipient of this scholarship named in honor of Liviu Librescu. He was a member of my Ph.D. committee and also a beloved teacher, not just for me but for several others who took classes from him in the ESM department. Librescu's passion for sharing his broad academic knowledge with his students and colleagues, as well as his prominent service and commitment to various fields of Engineering Mechanics, constitute a unique personal character. This dedication provides a very honorable role model for all who knew him,” Erturk said.
“On the day of our tragedy, in his last lecture, Librescu demonstrated the genuine meaning of dedication to the welfare of others without any hesitation. This scholarship means more to me than words can describe, and the name of Liviu Librescu will always remind me how hard one has to work to keep the pure spirit for commitment to academia and to the well-being of the society,” said Erturk..
"Erturk was very close to Librescu, admired his spirit and love of the academic devotion to teaching and research. He also shares Librescu's desire to explain and discuss with colleagues. Erturk's understanding of the welfare and well-being of the others is also similar to what was demonstrated by Liviu Librescu," said Erturk's Ph.D. advisor Daniel J. Inman, professor of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech.
Pacheco of Manatí, Colombia joined the ESM Ph.D. program in 2005, and is expected to defend his dissertation in January 2009 with a grade point average of 3.96. Pacheco ranked first in the master of science program at Los Andes University in Bogotá, Colombia. He is a recipient of the Colombian Institute for the Development of Science and Technology (COLCIENCIAS) in collaboration with the Academic and Professional Programs for the Americas (LASPAU) Fellowship to attend Virginia Tech, as well as of two National Science Foundation Fellowships to attend scientific workshops.
Pacheco is performing molecular mechanics simulations to determine the mechanical properties of gold. A significant paper describing his work has recently received very positive reviews.
“Being the recipient of the Liviu Librescu scholarship and being related to his name is indeed a major honor. The name of such a great professor and excellent person make us recall the important duty that we have as teachers and professionals. Many are the challenges that we have to face in many fields of the engineering science, and only those with the discipline and constant work showed by Liviu Librescu will leave his mark and be remembered for many generations to come,” Pacheco said.
"Like Librescu, he is very kind to his colleagues, and helps them in their research and in improving upon the presentation of their works. He freely shares his ideas with his peers and engages in serious and thoughtful discussions. He takes the quality of his research work very seriously, and does his best to dig deep into a problem and come up with the best possible solution. He is highly enthusiastic about his research work," said Pacheco’s doctoral thesis advisor, Romesh Batra, the Clifton C. Garvin Professor of ESM.
In memory of Librescu, Erturk and Pacheco will present their research results on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 at 4 p.m. Visit the ESM website at www.esm.vt.edu for further details about the seminars.