Masonry Magazine April 1969 Page. 7
Mason Contractor News...
CHAPMAN NAMED GSA DEPUTY DIRECTOR
# Appoint Dr. Johnston
Pittsburgh Corning Corporation announces the appointment of Dr. W. Dwight Johnston as Director of Research and Development in the company's Research and Engineering Center at 800 Presque Isle Drive, Plum Boro, Pa. Dr. Johnston succeeds Dr. Dominic D'Eustachio who retired in March, 1969.
A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Johnston is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and holds his Ph.D. in chemistry. He is a member of the American Chemical Society and is a director of the local Pittsburgh section. He also holds membership in The American Ceramic Society, The Electrochemical Society, The American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is a Fellow of The American Institute of Chemists.
# Clay Tile Research
The University of Texas Structural Mechanics Research Laboratory has received a grant for research on clay tile wall units that may allow more use of that material in homes and large buildings.
The research, which is being conducted to determine the strength and flexibility of clay tile, is expected to cost in excess of $20,000.
Prof. J. Neils Thompson of the UT Civil Engineering Department and director of the laboratory, said the grant was made by the Clay Products Association of the Southwest and the Canadian Structural Clay Association.
Data obtained in the research will be used to develop recommended building code requirements for structural clay tile masonry.
Professor Thompson said clay tile units are good for building purposes because of their strength, but they have not been used extensively because of the lack of building code requirements.
"Most of the buildings in this country have steel or reinforced concrete frames," explained Professor Thompson, "but more and more we are going back to frameless buildings where the weight of the building is supported by the walls instead of a frame."
John Wm. Chapman, Jr., right, is sworn in as the General Services Administration's Deputy Administrator. Others in the photo are his wife, Barbara, Senator Everett M. Dirksen, center, and Administrator Robert L. Kunzig, far left.
John Wm. Chapman, Jr., a veteran Federal official with 27 years of service, the last 18 in the General Services Administration, has been named the agency's Deputy Administrator.
In announcing the appointment, Administrator Robert L. Kunzig said "I know of no man more qualified by virtue of ability and experience for this important position. Through his long Federal career, under several Administrations, he has been entrusted with steadily increasing responsibilities."
Now 48, Chapman is a native of Chicago. He joined the General Services Administration at the end of 1950 and was appointed Regional Administrator in Chicago in 1956 a few days before his 34th birthday, making him the youngest man ever to hold a top regional position in GSA. He served in that capacity, directing all GSA programs in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, until 1961 when he was transferred to GSA headquarters in Washington. Prior to this appointment, he was an Assistant Commissioner in the Public Buildings Service with wide responsibilities for housing Federal agencies.
In 1966, he received GSA's Meritorious Service Award for outstanding performance.
He is the son of John W. Chapman who was Lt. Governor of Illinois in the years of 1953-61.
# COMING EVENTS
1969
May
19-23.. International Congress on "Has Downtown A Future?", Stockholm, Sweden.
June
21-25.. MCAA Summer Executive Board Meeting. Broadwater Beach Hotel, Biloxi, Mississippi.
22-26.. Joint International Convention of AIA-RAIC, Palmer House, Chicago, Illinois,
July
31.. Annual Meeting of the Associated Masonry Contractors of Texas. Beaumont, Texas. (Meeting runs until August 2nd).
1970
February
14-17..20th Annual MCAA Convention & Educational Trade Show, Sherman House, Chicago, Illinois.