The RCI-IIBEC Foundation and RCI Foundation Canada are pleased to announce that they will be providing funding for full-time college students to attend the 2024 IIBEC/OBEC BES, September 29–October 1, 2024, in Toronto, Canada. Through the Joe Hale Student Sponsorship Fund, registration, hotel, and up to $750 USD in travel expenses are covered for students.

To qualify, an applicant must be a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours per semester) and be enrolled in architecture; architectural, structural, or civil engineering; construction management; building sciences; or other related areas of study. Up to 10 students are eligible to receive this funding (possibly more pending proximity to event location), with priority going to undergraduate students. No more than three students from the same university may be selected.

Sponsorship recipients will be required to:

• Attend BES presentations and devote one hour to the vendor exhibit area.
• Participate in marketing efforts by sharing the experience of the symposium and the knowledge gained.
  
  

Students interested in receiving sponsorship should submit no later than Monday, July 22, 2024, a completed application, a letter of recommendation from a professor or instructor, and an essay explaining their field of study and what they hope to gain by attending the 2024 IIBEC/OBEC BES. A current valid passport and/or visa will be required to attend the symposium if traveling from the US. The application can be found HERE.

BES sponsorship recipient Christiana Bevilacqua, an architecture student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, said, “Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to attend the symposium. I am very grateful that I gained so much knowledge and insight and made connections with many people in the industry.”

For more information about student sponsorships, please contact RCI-IIBEC Foundations Development Officer Rick Gardner at Rgardner@iibec.org.

Albert Duwyn, RRC, F-IIBEC, longtime chair of the RCI Foundation Canada, has announced his retirement, and Dr. Ralph Paroli has been elected the new chair of the RCI Foundation Canada.

At the beginning of April, Duwyn announced his retirement from Rimkus Consulting Group (formerly IRC Building Sciences), which he founded in 1983 in Mississauga, Ontario. “The success of IRC Building Sciences is a result of the hard work, loyalty, and contributions by its many employees,” said Duwyn. “I am proud of the support I received from the employees when I had the opportunity to sell the company (and become part of Rimkus Consulting Group).”

Asked about his retirement plans, Duwyn replied, “I plan on spending more time with my family, especially my grandchildren, playing more golf, and working on getting in better physical shape. My greatest success (in life) has been my marriage and family. I am fortunate to have had their support and excited to share in the growth of our grandchildren.”

Reflecting on his favorite experiences with IIBEC, Duwyn replied “My favorite memory is the establishment of the Lizard Lounge at convention. My second favorite is visiting it every year.”

Duwyn helped to establish the RCI Foundation Canada in 2010. “The success of RCI Foundation Canada is a result of the cumulative efforts of the IIBEC Board of Directors and the generosity of the donors,” Duwyn said. “We are all proud of the money raised and spent on supporting research and other initiatives.”

Duwyn’s advice to Paroli is to “continue to be the person he already is” now that Paroli is the chair of the foundation.

Mike Blanchette, F-IIBEC, RRC, RRO, chair of the RCI-IIBEC Foundation and longtime friend of Duwyn, said, “We have lost a true and successful businessman to retirement. I am happy for him, but he will be missed by all.”