baron’s research interests traced the current of cutting-edge theory in civil engineering design and construction. as an undergraduate architecture and engineering student and masters-level graduate student in structural engineering at the university of illinois, baron had the privilege of studying under two premier names in engineering design: h.m. westergaard, known for his research on the use of reinforced concrete for pavement and dams, and hardy cross, an undisputed authority on contemporary structural frame analysis. he formed lasting bonds with both of these scholars, later reuniting with westergaard at harvard and cross at yale.