On Wednesday, November 13th, in Calgary, Dr. Reinhold Schuster, a trailblazer in cold-formed steel (CFS) engineering, was honored with the prestigious Alfred F. Wong Lifetime Achievement Award by the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC).
The Alfred F. Wong Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on the advancement of structural steel, earned the admiration of their peers, and reached the pinnacle of distinction in their field. Award recipients exemplify outstanding leadership, mentorship, innovation, and contributions to standards development across areas such as design, fabrication, construction, or academia, typically over a career spanning three decades or more.
Dr. Schuster’s remarkable contributions to the steel industry encompass education, research, and standards development. He created and taught a graduate course on cold-formed steel at the University of Waterloo and co-developed the AISI one-day practitioner course, which he updated in 2023 alongside Roger LaBoube. His groundbreaking research has led to practical solutions in cold-formed steel structures, influencing both AISI and Canadian standards and benefiting engineers worldwide. Since 1978, Dr. Schuster has chaired the CSA S136 committee, spearheading the development of Canada’s cold-formed steel design standard. His tireless efforts to harmonize CSA and AISI standards resulted in the creation of the North American Specification, advancing cross-border collaboration and driving innovation.
Dr. Schuster’s work has been pivotal in ensuring consistency and progress in structural engineering practices across borders. Beyond his contributions to standards, he has made a profound impact as a researcher, educator, and advocate for CFS, shaping generations of engineers and championing sustainable construction practices. This marks the second such recognition for Dr. Schuster, who was recently honored with the 2024 CFSEI John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service in Tucson, Arizona in the spring.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Schuster!