2018 Masonry Educators’ Workshop

With the support of industry sponsors, The Masonry Society will present the 2018 Masonry Educators’ Workshop (MEW), formerly known as the University Professors’ Masonry Workshop (UPMW), at the University of South Florida and Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF from March 11-13, 2018.


Following up on the success of more than 25 workshops since 1988, the 2018 Masonry Educators’ Workshop (MEW, formerly the University Professor’s Masonry Workshop or UPMW, but redesignated to be clear that educators other than university professors are welcome) will provide educators with the resources and background needed to effectively teach masonry, especially at the college and university level. As a workshop participant, you will learn from leading educators, practitioners, and industry leaders about the newest ideas in masonry education, design, and research.



The workshop will include a tour of the Oldcastle Zephyrhills Architectural Block and Segmental Retaining Wall Production Plant where a short presentation on Quality Control will be given. A demonstration on block laying will allow participants to try their hand a creating a piece of architectural wall. Attendees will also receive a wealth of valuable information while gaining helpful contacts.

Dr. Rajan Sen who is a Professor and Jefferson Science Fellow at USF, will serve as the workshop host. Leading masonry experts and educators will present topics on the Use of Masonry Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow; Structural Design of Masonry with an Overview of recent Code Updates; Constructability Issues; and many more topics. Separate breakout sessions will be offered for architecture and engineering faculty related to Teaching Masonry at the University Level. A session on Innovative Approaches to Masonry Education will be also presented.

Workshop participants receive the following valuable resources and benefits, plus much more:

  • Two days of in-depth presentations and discussion on masonry education, design, and construction.
  • Two continental breakfasts, two lunches, an evening reception (Sunday) and dinner (Monday).
  • Certificates of Attendance/AIA Learning Units for 10 hours of education.
  • A one-year electronic membership in The Masonry Society (worth $215), which includes electronic subscriptions to TMS Journal and TMS Responds.
  • Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures (TMS 402-16 and TMS 602-16) provided by The Masonry Society (as either a print-protected, read-only PDF or hard copy)
  • NCMA’s TEK Manual for Concrete Masonry Design and Construction, Annotated Design and Construction Details for Concrete Masonry, Structural Masonry Design System Software, Direct Design Software, Thermal Catalog of Concrete Masonry Wall Assemblies, and 11 PowerPoint presentations complete with speaker notes on various concrete masonry and hardscape topics – all provided electronically
  • Concrete Masonry Handbook provided by the Portland Cement Association.
  • Downloads of presentations and educational materials.

Workshop Presentations & Instructors

The MEW will be presented by masonry experts and faculty from throughout the United States. The following are some of the topics that will be presented:

  • Why Masonry is So Important in Florida, Don Beers, MAF and FC&PA
  • Masonry Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Brian Trimble, International Masonry Institute
  • Incorporating Masonry into the Curriculum
    • Architectural Session, Patrick Rand, North Carolina State University
    • Engineering Session, Ece Erdogmus, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • Masonry Materials, Panel Discussion
  • Masonry Industry Resources & Opportunities, Panel Discussion
  • Short Topics including Energy Conservation, BIMM, and other topics of Interest, Panel Discussion
  • Masonry Design Concurrent Sessions
    • Session 1: Masonry Design and Detailing from an Architect’s Perspective, Patrick Rand
    • Session 2: Overview of the 2016 MSJC, Richard M. Bennett, University of Tennessee
  • Innovative Approaches to Masonry Education, Patrick Rand, NCSU, Rajan Sen, University of South Florida, and Ece Erdogmus, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • Masonry Building Demonstration and Block Laying
  • Moving Masonry Design to Construction, Jerry Painter
  • What Students need to know about Historic Masonry, Craig Bennett

Workshop Costs & Accommodations

Thanks to the generous sponsorship from a number of industry organizations, we are able to offer registration fees at about half the expected costs per attendee ($295 through 2/22/18, $350 beginning on 2/23/18). Registered attendees may participate in all sessions and take advantage of meals as shown on the Workshop Website. Registration fees include handout materials but do not cover hotel costs and other travel expenses. Transportation between the hotel and campus will be provided for the tours on Monday and Tuesday. Some professors may receive local support to attend the workshop thanks to the financial sponsorship of local or regional masonry promotion groups. Contact TMS to check if sponsorships are available in your area.

Accommodations have been arranged at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF Near Busch Gardens. These costs are not included in the registration fee. Reservations must be made by calling: 813-977-7066 and identifying yourself as a TMS 2018 MEW/UPMW attendee to receive the special rate of $150 per night (group rate closes February 22, 2018).

Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF Near Busch Gardens
3705 Spectrum Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33612


About Our Sponsors

The Masonry Educator’s Workshop (MEW) is made possible through the generous contributions of the masonry associations listed below. In addition, some local masonry organizations fund the costs of attendance for individual educators in their region. For more information about possible sponsorships, contact your local masonry organizations.

Major Financial Sponsors include:

  • Masonry Association of Florida
  • Florida Concrete and Products Association
  • International Masonry Institute
  • Jerry Painter Masonry Consulting
  • National Concrete Masonry Association
  • Portland Cement Association
  • Oldcastle Zephyrhills Architectural Block and Segmental Retaining Wall Production Plant

Other Contributing Organizations include the Brick Industry Association.