NCSEA Foundation Diversity Scholarship in Honor of David Ruby

The NCSEA Foundation Diversity Scholarship was established to honor the remarkable legacy of our founder, David Ruby, and his lifelong contributions to the structural engineering and structural steel industries. Administered through the NCSEA Foundation, the scholarship is designed to help open doors for historically underrepresented students pursuing careers in structural engineering. This scholarship supports students who share the same curiosity, drive, and passion for structural steel that Dave brought to the profession for more than 60 years.

By supporting the next generation of engineers, the scholarship reflects Dave’s belief in the importance of mentorship, opportunity, and strengthening the engineering profession through leadership and inclusion. We are proud to help carry his legacy forward and look forward to the impact this scholarship will make for years to come.

Submission Deadline: Sunday, February 1, 2026

Apply here:

https://ncsea.submittable.com/submit/338333/2026-n...

About Our Founder

Dave’s influence extends far beyond the NCSEA scholarship. His career, values, and leadership shaped the creation of our firm and continues to guide who we are today.

Dave’s structural engineering career spans over 60 years working for steel fabricators, erectors, contractors, and architects, all the while developing his passion for constructability. His professional journey led him to founding Ruby+Associates in 1984 to fill a gap by providing structural engineering services to the construction industry, a firm mission which remains today. With an impressive resume of high-profile projects, articles, presentations, and as the author of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Design Guide #23, “Constructability of Structural Steel Buildings,” Mr. Ruby is a sought-after expert in steel construction. With many articles in between, Mr. Ruby also wrote a six-article series in the 2010s entitled, “But it Worked in the Model!” for Modern Steel Construction magazine, communicating to readers, particularly young engineers, that models aren’t infallible but require the application of sound judgement and experience to reach their full potential as powerful tools for designing structures. Even late into his career, Mr. Ruby continued to share his constructability philosophy with the industry by presenting at national, regional, and local conferences and seminars.

Recognized internationally as a structural steel expert, he was a registered engineer in 36 states.  Mr. Ruby provided steel erection and stability analysis, value engineered solutions, design consulting and constructability reviews on such notable projects as: State Farm Stadium, Glendale; Bradley Center, Milwaukee; Comerica Park and Ford Field, Detroit; US Cellular Field (now Guaranteed Rate Field), Chicago, and Miami Marlins Park (now LoanDepot Park), Miami.  

Prior to founding Ruby+Associates in 1984, Mr. Ruby worked for the American Bridge Division of U.S. Steel, serving as structural project engineer for the John Hancock building, Sears Tower, and Standard Oil building in Chicago.  He also served as Chief Structural Engineer for John Portman and Associates in Atlanta. In these endeavors, he left his mark on Detroit’s Renaissance Center; Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles; Embarcadero Center Hyatt Regency, San Francisco, and Peachtree Center, Atlanta.  

Mr. Ruby was active in ACEC’s Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE), serving on the CASE National Guidelines Committee, the CASE Board, and as its Chairman. He was a founding member and president of the Structural Engineers Association of Michigan (SEAMi). In 2009, he was appointed to the Construction Science Research Foundation Board of Directors. Mr. Ruby was a member of the AISC Code of Standard Practice Committee; the Committees on Research and Education, and he was past co-chairman of the AISC Blast & Impact Resistant Design Task Group. He served as chair of the Lawrence Technological University Civil Engineering Advisory Council for four years

Dave received numerous awards and honors from industry groups, including induction into the Michigan Construction Hall of Fame in 2023; the AISC 2022 J. Lloyd Kimbrough Award; the 2019 ACEC/M Felix A. Anderson Award; the AISC 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award; and the Structural Engineers Association of Michigan 2010 Outstanding Structural Engineer of the Year award, among others.

Tricia Ruby presents Dave Ruby with a document announcing the NCSEA Foundation Scholarship at Plum Hollow Country Club, Southfield, MI in June 2024.