Long time ISCP member and Past President, Professor Jeff Roesler was profiled by the Jeff D’Alessio for The News-Gazatte. Jeff has deep roots at the University of Illinois. This year, he celebrates a quarter-century on the faculty of the university where he earned three degrees, and where his wife, Sandra, also works. The couple even met on campus at a Coast Guard tailgate. Beyond his professional achievements, his connection to the university is a family affair; all three of their children are also Illinois graduates. Roesler, a native of Riverton, Illinois, embodies the spirit of the campus community, often commuting by bike and regularly playing tennis with friends at Atkins.
Roesler, who holds the prestigious Ernest Barenberg Professorship, recently shared some of his most cherished spots on and around campus. For a newcomer, he recommends a scenic walk through the engineering quads in the early fall to witness the changing leaves. A specialist in concrete materials, he also points out the McKinley and E-15 parking lots as a testament to early innovations in bonded overlays. One of his most memorable moments was in 2020 when he learned he was awarded the professorship named after his Ph.D. advisor, Ernest Barenberg, a piece of news he received while in his office at Newmark Lab.
The campus also holds personal significance for Roesler. He sees a reflection of his hometown in the Boneyard Creek behind Engineering Hall. When it comes to teaching, he praises the collaborative environment of Campus Instructional Facility Room 0035, a space that fosters teamwork for his first-year engineering students. His favorite place to think is a one-mile walk he takes from Newmark Lab, a journey that clears his mind and provides a break from his work.
Roesler also appreciates the local gems that define the campus experience. Legends, formerly DeLuxe, is a cherished spot for its classic fish sandwich and a great place for a group lunch. For a quick bite, he recommends the spicy young chicken and mapo tofu from Evo Cafe. While he primarily uses the online library system, he still enjoys a coffee break with a colleague at the Grainger Engineering Library, a testament to the library’s enduring role as a hub for both students and faculty.