Crossroads 2000
1998 Awards for Excellence in Transportation
F. Wayne Klaiber has been recognized for his significant contributions to the improvement of transportation systems and services through highway research. In honor of his contributions, he received the Iowa Award for Transportation Excellence for the Academic Sector. The Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa State University presented the award at a banquet August 19 in Ames.
Since joining Iowa State University in 1968, Klaiber has participated in and led many research projects to improve the design and performance of bridges. He is recognized internationally as an expert in strengthening of bridges. Working with his colleagues, he has developed several practical methods for improving the performance of existing bridges. Klaiber continues to work on the development of practical, inexpensive methods of bridge alternatives for low volume roads, including three unique systems for county roads in Iowa.
His active role in national and international activities is evidenced by his participation and leadership in several areas with the National Science Foundation. Internationally he has served on the steering committee for six international conferences on structural faults and repairs. He has also been a member of the U.S. delegation to three NATO bridge workshops.
His peers at Iowa State have conferred on him the title of Distinguished Professor, which is one of the highest honors bestowed by the university.
Fred McKim has been recognized for his significant contributions to the improvement of transportation systems and services through highway research. In honor of his contributions, he received the Iowa Award for Transportation Excellence for the Private Sector. The Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa State university presented the award at a banquet August 19 in Ames.
McKim has done much to improve transportation in Iowa and the Midwest. He is the longtime (and now retired) manager of one of Iowa's largest grain elevators located at West Bend. He has been a heralded leader in the agricultural sector in northwest Iowa for several decades. He has served in leadership roles on the boards of the West Bend Chamber of Commerce, Agri-Industries, and the National Grain and Feed Association.
His leadership has extended well beyond his own business. He served as president of the Northwest Iowa Shippers Association for 20 years. This is a group of 33 elevators and businesses that are depended on reliable rail service. His leadership can be credited with saving hundreds of miles of deteriorated branch lines throughout Iowa.
He has also made major contributions to transportation statewide as chairperson of the Iowa Railway finance Authority, which is a public agency responsible for aiding marginal railroads in restoring, rebuilding, and preserving rail service in the state.
Eldo W. Schornhorst, P.E., has been recognized for his significant contributions to the improvement of transportation systems and services through highway research. In honor of his contributions, he received the Iowa Award for Transportation Excellence in the Public Sector. The Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa State University presented the award at a banquet August 19 in Ames.
Schornhorst is a 1948 graduate of Iowa State and currently works as field engineer for the Asphalt paving Association of Iowa. Schornhorst served for over 21 years as the Shelby County engineer. He also served as Clay County engineer for nine years and as Buena Vista County engineer for nearly six years. In addition, he held positions with the United States Bureau of Reclamation and the Iowa State Highway Commission.
He is a life-long resident of Iowa and has constantly been on the cutting edge in research and serving as a leader in local, state, and national organizations. Schornhorst has served as president of the Iowa Good Roads Association, president of the Iowa County Engineers Association, regional vice-president of the National Association of County Engineers, chair of the Iowa Highway Research Board, and president of the Iowa Engineering Society.
His career in county engineering is so outstanding that the Iowa County Engineers Association found it necessary to create an entirely new category of award to recognize him on his retirement. In December 1995 they presented him with the first ever (and still the only) Lifetime Achievement Award.
