Rens’ impact seen in students, community
Since joining the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences in 1995, Associate Professor Kevin Rens has exemplified excellence in not only his college, but his community. For his continued contributions, Rens is the College of Engineering and Applied Science Excellence in Service winner for 2005.
“More than giving conscientious service to the university as a faculty member, Professor Rens exemplifies what an engineering professor does best in making an impact on civil and professional communities,” writes Ren Su, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Rens employs a large number of undergraduate and graduate students and weaves their education and skills into academic research and community service, including inspection of roads, bridges and alleyways in Denver. He and his students isolated flaws in the Lawrence Street bridge, connecting northbound and southbound Speer Boulevard. The bridge was taken down and reconstructed. Rens and his students are now examining the old bridge to study what went wrong.
In addition to teaching courses ranging from structural analysis to computer aided structural engineering, Rens dedicates his time to service activities to the university. He has served on his college’s Graduate Student Acceptance Committee since 1995. Since 2003, he has served with the department chair on the department executive committee.
Rens has acted as faculty marshal for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences since 2000. He is Academic Personnel Committee Chair—having been vice chair of the committee 2004-06—and is an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Committee member.
In the summer of 2006, Rens began his participation in the year-long University of Colorado Emerging Leaders program, one of 15 UCD representatives. He is a technical paper reviewer for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and current Chair of the association’s technical council on forensic engineering.
In January 2004, Rens took part in a missionary trip to Amman Jordan as a member of a project team for Engineering Ministries International, serving as a structural engineer in designing a Christian and Missionary Alliance building overlooking the Jordan River.