Orhan Gurbuz

Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering
College of Engineering
Established in 1968 to recognize superior technical or professional accomplishments in research, development, administration, education, and other engineering activities; the citation recognizes alumni/alumnae eminently known for their professional competence and creativity

Orhan Gurbuz

BS Civil Engineering ’66
MS Civil Engineering ’68
PhD Civil Engineering ’74
Huntington Beach, Calif.

Orhan Gurbuz has had an incredibly distinguished career in civil engineering and structural seismic design for more than 40 years. A senior principal engineer and consultant for Bechtel, Gurbuz is one of a handful of world class experts on the design and construction of nuclear power plant reactor containment buildings. He is a Bechtel Fellow—a coveted honor enjoyed by only 20 technical experts in the entire Bechtel population of 45,000 employees. Bechtel Fellows are chosen for their substantial technical achievement, and they advise senior management on questions related to their areas of expertise, participate in strategic planning, and help disseminate new technical ideas and findings throughout the organization.

Gurbuz has been involved in numerous high profile projects, including the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, Yucca Mountain Project, and the Tennessee Valley Authority projects of Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant and Watts Bar Nuclear Plant.

Gurbuz has also worked in academia: at Iowa State while working toward his Ph.D., and as a lecturer at both Cal State Fullerton and Middle East Technical University. He is a registered professional engineer in California and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, for which he was past chairman of the energy division and nuclear energy committee. He is past chairman of the Nonbuilding Structures Committee of the Structural Engineering Association of Southern California and a member of both the American Institute of Steel Construction and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.

Gurbuz founded the Turkish-American Student Association at Iowa State and went on to become the president and chairman of the Association of Turkish-Americans in Southern California, as well as founder and board member of Turkish-Americans for Fairness. He was the west coast vice president for the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations.

Gurbuz and his wife, Meral, have two children and two grandchildren. Gurbuz is an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association.