CFSEI JOHN P. MATSEN AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
2026 AWARD WINNER

Benjamin W. Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI (right) accepts the CFSEI John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service Award presented by Jeffrey Klaiman, P.E., CFSEI Managing Director

The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) has announced that Benjamin W. Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, is the recipient of the 2026 CFSEI John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service. Dr. Schafer is the Hackerman Professor of Civil and Systems Engineering and the Director of the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

The John P. Matsen Award recognizes the significant contributions of an individual who has volunteered time, talent and resources to the cold-formed steel (CFS) industry. Dr. Schafer received the honor during the 2026 CFSEI Expo held May 18-20, 2026, in Long Beach, California.

Dr. Schafer has played a pivotal role in advancing industry standards through his service on the AISI Committee on Specifications and numerous related committees. He has authored, contributed to, and reviewed dozens of CFS design guides and CFSEI Technical Notes. He has also served as a longtime contributor to CFSEI and the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), helping bridge academic research with practical industry application. 

Dr. Schafer is currently playing a key role in the incorporation of AISI S100 into AISC 360, Specification for Structural Buildings. He also serves as a liaison between the cold-formed steel industry and numerous standards development and professional organizations. He provided leadership for the CFS-NHERI and CFS10 research programs.

In addition, he promotes CFS design through presentations worldwide. A researcher and teacher, Dr. Schafer champions CFS systems in the classroom, inspiring future industry leaders and researchers and mentoring students and young engineers.

“For nearly three decades, Ben’s contributions have set the standard for excellence in cold-formed steel design, research, and education,” says Jeffrey Klaiman, P.E., CFSEI managing director. “The CFSEI Executive Committee is very pleased to present Ben with this award.”

The CFSEI Award for Distinguished Service was renamed the CFSEI John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service in 2016 to honor John P. Matsen, P.E., founder and principal of Matsen Ford Design Associates in Waukesha, Wisconsin, who passed away in June 2015.

 

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