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| Top international engineer, once Bahamian Olympian |
Fred Sturrup
Published: Jun 12, 2012
Starting today, every Tuesday The Nassau Guardian will highlight the significant impact that past Bahamas Athletics Association scholarship recipients have had on the wider local community, and in some cases the wider international community. Dr. Norris Stubbs is one of the world’s top experts in structural engineering. Currently, Dr. Stubbs is a professor in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Texas A&M. His academic achievements make up an extensive resume. The former graduate of Government High School here in The Bahamas went on to attend college and university in the United States. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Physics at Grinnell College in Iowa. Then, he matriculated at Columbia University, earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) in Civil Engineering distinctions; and attained the status of Doctor of Engineering Science (EngScD) in Engineering Mechanics. His academic base has been broadened by research in systems identification of mechanical systems, non-destructive damage assessment of mechanical systems, reliability analysis of structural systems and matrix structural analysis. It is an amazing background in education indeed. There is this other side to the professor, however; an aspect of his life he has left behind that remains a significant part of his legacy. Once he was just plain Norris Stubbs, but also one of the nation’s finest sprinters and noted for his quick release out of the starting blocks. In 1968 at the Olympic Games in Mexico City, he astounded the world by getting out on the first leg of a sprint relay heat and beating the great Charlie Greene of the United States to the exchange zone. He was that good. Stubbs also competed in the 100 open, running a best of 10.67 and 21.64 in the 200 meters. He was also a part of The Bahamas relay team that ran 39.45, a national record that lasted for 25 years. Pretty much, he ended his track career shortly after the Mexico Games; but before that, he created thrills and excitement on the local scene, particularly in his duels with another speedster, Kevin Johnson. These days Dr. Stubbs is far removed from his track and field career, but he still looks and sounds the part, a bright, nifty, compact intellectual package, always rearing to go. He’s a life Olympian of the highest order.
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 June 2012 17:18 |