Dr. Micah Hale, associate professor of civil engineering, has taught at the University of Arkansas since 2002. He earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.
Intro to Engineering
Hale enjoyed math and science, so after ruling out architecture, chemical engineering and a pre-medical route, he chose civil engineering with an emphasis in environmental engineering. He was excited about its future job potential, and felt that environmental was where he needed to be. An opportunity to do structures-related research arose for him in graduate school, further sealing the deal.
From the beginning, Hale thought he’d like to be a teacher, and enjoyed campus atmosphere. While in graduate school, he was a research assistant, and taught a class.
Influences
“There are bits and pieces of my past professors that I took away, admired some of the things they did, how they taught,” he said. “I also made note of what I didn’t like, but they all taught me something.” These admirable traits were varying. “Some of them were like MacGyver, where they could make something out of duct tape and a ball of twine, and some were good communicators.”
University of Arkansas Experience
Hale feels that fate or a higher power led him to being a professor at the University of Arkansas. His research interests narrowed job prospects, so he knew the likelihood of returning to the northwest Arkansas/Oklahoma area was slim.
The University of Arkansas already had a professor in his area of research, and schools in Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina expressed interest in Hale. Fortunately for him, the UA professor was promoted to Associate Dean, creating an opening for a concrete/civil materials professor.
Once Hale started working for the University of Arkansas, he noticed that “the students were bright, very hard working, and receptive.”
Research
Hale is a structural engineer, so his research areas are primarily with concrete structures. “The infrastructure is only getting older, so it needs to be replaced or rehabilitated,” he said. “We study the use and application of new and improved concrete materials.” Hale also reassesses current design codes to get the most beneficial use out of materials.
The processes and materials are constantly changing, but some design codes are still being used from the 1960s. “Do they behave and perform the same way (as they did back then) or is there something we can do?”
Off the Clock
Hale spends most of his free time riding bikes with his kids, or toting them around in wagons. He and his wife have three kids under the age of four and have one baby on the way.
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