Exemplar 2007 - Wayne State University

WAYNE STATE U NIVERSITY COLLEGE of E NGINEERING
2007 - THE YEAR IN REVIEW
The PACE Era
Begins
Michigan Job Report:
Budding Engineers Find
Jobs In Michigan 32
Jack Morton
BSEE’35, Was On Path To
Develop The Microchip 46
BIGGEST Class Notes Section Ever! 66
www.eng.wayne.edu
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of ENGINEERING
EXEMPLAR:
David Reich
Editor
Justyna Konczalska
Associate Editor
Matthew Garin
Graphic Designer
Rick Bielaczyc
Alonso del Arte
Justyna Konczalska
Mary Jane Murawka
Photography
WSU Marketing & Publications
Ed Sackett
Proofreaders
Ralph Kummler
Dean
Yang Zhao
Chair, Electrical and Computer
Trilochan Singh
Chair, Mechanical
Chuck Manke
Chair, Chemical and Materials Science
Carol Miller
Chair, Civil and Environmental
Ken Chelst
Chair, Industrial and Manufacturing
Chih-Ping Yeh
Chair, Engineering Technology
Albert King
Chair, Biomedical
EXEMPLAR is published
annually for alumni, friends and
corporate sponsors of the College of
Engineering. Address comments to:
exemplar editor
Wayne State University
College of Engineering
5050 Anthony Wayne Drive
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-6531
(313) 577-5300 fax
[email protected]
Wayne State University is an equal
opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Wayne State University - World Class
Education in the Real World.
Please visit www.eng.wayne.edu
2007 IN REVIEW
Message from the Dean
As they say in
the magazine
trade, this issue
of EXEMPLAR has
real “plop” value.
This is our biggest
issue ever thanks
to the incredible
productivity of
our students and
faculty, and the
contributions of
our alums letting
us know what
they are up to. It’s
been a Herculean
task for our public
affairs officer,
David Reich, to
keep up with the wonder stories, but he’s been up to the job. Thanks
to David and to everyone who contributed to this issue.
We lead off with our cover story on PACE, the biggest event in the college’s storied
history. The PACE industry partners are contributing $408 million in software and
services to the college, making it the largest in-kind contribution in Wayne State history.
The next biggest announcement is well-covered inside -- the groundbreaking and
initial construction phase of the new 82,000 square-foot, $27.35 million Engineering
Development Center. The EDC will nestle beside the main engineering building, greatly
expanding our research and development capability. Pardon our dust, as the saying
goes, as construction continues through 2008. You can follow its progress by visiting
our special webcam site at: http://www.eng.wayne.edu/page.php?id=5041
A few years ago the college had no endowed chairs. It now has three signed
agreements, with a fourth in the works. We have moved into an entrepreneurial mode
with our Engineering Ventures Programs endowed by alum Jim Anderson, our
Collegiate Entrepreneurial Organization (CEO) mentor. Several companies have spun off
from research such as SenSound, NanoSec, and VISCA. A few years ago, we had no
officially designated “distinguished faculty”. We are now on our way to three.
We are constantly being visited by congressional members, their aides, Gov.
Granholm and others, all interested in our stimulation of the job market. And our
students are in tremendous demand, as it seems new and old Michigan companies are
looking for new talent.
Finally, we thank the Engineering Alumni board for their dedicated efforts to support
our activities and our students. For those I’ve missed in these brief words, read on.
Ralph H. Kummler, Ph.D.
Dean of Engineering
Contents of this Issue
UP FRONT
4
EDC Groundbreaking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Construction Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
PACE Era Begins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6
8
AROUND HELIOS
First Ever F-Cell Traffic Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Former Professor Subject of Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
WSU Bioengineer Turns Sports Into Science . . . . . . . . . 21
13
FEATURE STORIES
20
Robotic Surgery - The Future is Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Finding Engineering Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
REFLECTIONS
Jack Morton, BSEE’35, and His Path to Discovery . . . . . 46
Alumni Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
71
“The photos and commentaries
of the event that took place
almost 60 years ago capture
a certain point in time long
ago imbued with opportunity,
promise and camaraderie
only college days offer.”
from Joe Scheufler’s
(BSCE’50) chronicles
28
46
C
ity, state and university officials broke the first bit
Many of the speakers, who included Kim Trent, director of Gov.
of earth with ceremonial shovels Wednesday, May
Jennifer Granholm’s Southeast Michigan Office, and Detroit
2, officially marking the start of construction of the
Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams, turned to thank former WSU
Marvin I. Danto Engineering Development Center.
engineering student and Troy businessman Marvin Danto, whose
Addressing a gathering of students, faculty and Wayne
$3 million gift helped make the construction of the building a
State supporters under a tent near the College of Engineering
reality.
Courtyard where the new building will rise, the officials lauded
Mark Nasr, a graduating senior in civil engineering, was among
the building project as a symbol of promise for the development
the speakers: “On behalf of the students of the College of
of technologies in new, exciting
Engineering, past, present, and future, I
sectors of the economy.
“The new building will incorporate congratulate you on this great step
“Today we affirm not only the
forward for our beloved university, and
sustainable energy design features the impact the Marvin I. Danto
outstanding accomplishments
and potential of our College
Engineering Development Center will have
to reduce energy consumption.”
of Engineering, but also look
on the city of Detroit, the state of
forward to an even larger role
Michigan, and all the ends of earth.”
for the university in Michigan’s economic renewal,” said WSU
For his part, Danto said he felt “proud of what is happening
President Irvin D. Reid. Students graduating from the college
here” as well as all the other new developments on campus. After
will join “a skilled workforce that will lead Michigan into a new
the presentations, he joined the others at the ceremonial sandbox.
era of prosperity as our economy shifts gradually but inexorably
Ralph Kummler, dean of the College of Engineering, said, “The
to the biological sciences, alternative energy, microdevices,
Marvin I. Danto Engineering Development Center represents the
health care, information technology and the nanosciences.”
realization of all our aspirations for our graduates, for TechTown,
photo by Alonso del Arte
4
photo by Mary Jane Murawka
The ground where the new Engineering Development Center will rise was broken May 2. The 82,000 square-foot building is
expected to be completed in late 2008.
Marvin Danto honored. Danto (center) was presented with a
gift by Jack Ridenaur (Ford), President Reid and Ralph Kummler.
photo by Mary Jane Murawka
City, State And University Officials Join Students,
Staff And Faculty To Celebrate Groundbreaking
for the city of Detroit, for the region and the state.”
The $27.3 million Engineering Development Center will rise
in the area of the main college building facing Warren Avenue,
and be joined with the existing structure. It will encompass
82,000 square feet on four floors, providing much-needed lab
space for four major research initiatives: urban infrastructure,
alternative energy and advanced propulsion, nanotechnology,
and the Smart Sensors and Integrated Microsystems lab.
When completed by late 2008, the entire college complex
will consist of 320,000 square feet of classroom, office
and research laboratory space. The design includes a
flexible modular layout and an advanced infrastructure to
facilitate growth in critical research areas, provides interface
space with the university’s technology park, TechTown,
and enables students to engage in innovative research
as an integral part of their educational experience.
The new building will incorporate sustainable energy
design features to reduce energy consumption. To that,
Kummler said, “In accordance with the university’s role
as an environmentally responsible institution and our
desire that this new building set the bar for others on
campus, the Engineering Development Center project has
been registered with the U.S. Green building Council.”
Eugene Driker, a member of the WSU Board
of Governors, said the groundbreaking marked a
“significant event in the history of the university and so
important in fulfilling our vision for the university.”
Calling the new building “a great incubator for industry,”
Kim Trent from Gov. Granholm’s office applauded the
partnership between the state, which appropriated $15
million toward the project, and the university, “to make
Michigan an absolute incubator of jobs for the future.”
Detroit Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams said, “Okay. General
Motors isn’t number one anymore. So what? This is the kind
of cooperative spirit we need in the city of Detroit.” q
photo by Alonso del Arte
Up Front
VIP Sandbox
2007 In Review
5
Up Front
Helios Sculpture Makes
Way For Construction
Actual webcam shot taken in summer
6
W
hile the Internet cannot convey the tremors rattling the
College of Engineering caused by the construction of the
Engineering Development Center outside, the college has set
up a webcam to share a view of the site as the work progresses.
The webcam peers out at the construction site – the
former Helios Courtyard -- from a third floor office window
at the Engineering building at Anthony Wayne Drive and
Warren Avenue. The image updates every five minutes and
archives an image every hour. When the EDC construction
is complete in late 2008, the college plans to use these
images to produce a video history of the construction.
Workers from general contractor Christman Company
last July removed debris from the demolition of Engineering
Lectures, an auditorium that used to occupy the southeast
corner of the Helios Courtyard where construction is taking
place. Workers excavated the site last summer with large
earth-moving equipment to prepare for construction.
One of the first tasks by laborers was to remove
the Helios Sculpture, the 40-foot stainless steel
icon anchored in the courtyard and dedicated
in 1989. It is now being stored near the site.
The 82,000 square-foot EDC will provide laboratory
space for projects in the Smart Sensors and Integrated
Microsystems lab, alternative energy and advanced
propulsion, nanotechnology and urban infrastructure.
The webcam saves an image every five minutes,
cached by the college’s web server to decrease
the traffic load on the dedicated server. The
setup was designed and implemented by the
Wayne State’s Electronic Computing Center
under the direction of David Thompson.
photo by Alonso del Arte
This photo of the EDC construction site was taken
Oct. 24. The view is from the east, looking at the
engineering building and Warren Ave. on the left.
photo by Justyna Konczalska
Webcam Follows
Construction Progress
photo by Justyna Konczalska
Using jackhammers, drills and a giant crane, workers
separated the College of Engineering’s 40-foot tall
stainless steel sculpture “Helios Trail” from its base
in the engineering courtyard July 9, and lifted it to a
nearby area for safekeeping. The symbol of the college
since its dedication in 1989, Helios Trail will remain in a
wooden crate alongside the western wall of the Biological
Sciences building until late 2008 when construction of
the new Engineering Development Center is expected
to be completed. The removal of the sculpture was the
first step of the demolition phase before construction
commenced on the new Engineering Development
Center. By July 31, the contractor, Christman Company,
had completed tearing down Engineering Lectures, the
auditorium at the Warren entrance to the courtyard,
and preparing the ground for construction. q
To visit the webcam site, go to:
http://www.eng.wayne.edu/page.php?id=5041
2007 In Review
7
Up Front
PACE Uncorked
Photos by Rick Bielaczyc
College Receives $408 Million In Engineering Tools
with basic first-year engineering classes,”
said Ralph Kummler, dean of Engineering.
“Wayne State’s participation in PACE
strengthens the university’s role in
Michigan’s transition to a high-tech
economy,” said WSU President Irvin D.
Reid. “The tools we receive from PACE will
enable us to prepare the skilled
engineering, manufacturing and design
workforce needed in an increasingly
competitive global marketplace. Our
selection as a PACE institution greatly
enhances Wayne State’s ability to educate
the men and women who will lead
Michigan to economic prosperity.”
The comprehensive modeling and
simulation tools from PACE allow Wayne
State engineering students to use the latest
software employed by major corporations,
enhancing their ability to work in teams
President Reid, Ralph Kummler, and GM’s Julius Reeves (BSIE’86) thank Michelle
and design projects ranging from new
Grimm, the college’s chief integrator of PACE software into the curriculum.
automotive or highway safety systems to
real-time
cancer
screening
tools.
ngineering graduates will be better prepared for careers in
Wayne State joins 40 strategically selected universities around
Michigan’s emerging high tech and global economy thanks
the world as a PACE Institution, including institutions in China,
to Wayne State’s selection as a member of Partners for the
Germany, Sweden and Mexico, as well as five others in Michigan
Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE),
– Kettering University, Michigan State University, the University of
a joint philanthropic initiative of General Motors, EDS, HewlettMichigan, Michigan Technological University and the College for
Packard, Siemens UGS PLM Software and Sun Microsystems.
Creative Studies.
Officials from the five companies announced their latest
“With its close geographic proximity to the auto industry’s
partner university and multi-million dollar in-kind contribution
operations, Wayne State has played an important role in
during a special ceremony and all-day program on the Wayne
automotive research and development, as well as providing a
State campus October 18. The software and hardware have a
practical automotive engineering education for
commercial value of
future engineers,” said Ralph Szygenda, group
$407,796,540, making it the
“The PACE contribution will allow the
vice president and chief information officer for
largest ever in-kind contribution
college to integrate the PACE toolbox
General Motors.
received in Wayne State history.
throughout our curriculum, starting with
“We also recognize its strong emphasis on
The PACE corporate alliance has
first-year engineering classes.”
collaboration in research and instruction across
worked together since 1999 to
Ralph Kummler
all engineering departments, as well as external
support academic institutions
colleges, demonstrated by the flourishing of
worldwide with computer-based
outstanding degree and research programs in
engineering tools to prepare
alternative energy technologies, smart sensors, biomedical
designers, engineers, and analysts with the skills to compete in
imaging, automotive engineering, nanotechnology and global
the future.
industrial systems. The integration of the PACE tools into this
“Some software programs in the suites of design simulation
education and research culture can only greatly enhance it.”
and modeling tools provided by PACE have been an essential
The PACE participation by Wayne State is expected to foster
part of some Wayne State engineering courses. But the PACE
collaborations beyond campus. Wayne State’s Formula Society of
contribution will allow the college and its faculty to integrate
Automotive Engineers (SAE) team has already begun discussions
the entire PACE toolbox throughout our curriculum, starting
E
8
PACE Partners take a bow.
with the College for Creative Studies (CCS), a nearby PACE
Institution. “We are looking at the opportunity for CCS design
students to work in tandem with our students to include styling
as one of the design objectives for the Wayne State Formula SAE
car,” said Michele Grimm, associate dean of academic affairs,
and the lead engineering integrator of the PACE toolbox.
“We know students at Wayne State are already being prepared
for the global economy,” said Mike O’Hair, vice president and
regional general manager, GM Account, EDS. “By integrating the
PACE tool box throughout its engineering curriculum, the
College of Engineering is upgrading its ability to train a new
generation of engineers well-versed in today’s technology and
ready to hit the ground running when joining an employer in
any sector.”
The PACE software includes UGS NXTM, UGS TeamcenterTM
Engineering, UGS Teamcenter Community, and UGS
TecnomatixTM; MSC Adams and MD Nastran; Altair HyperWorks;
FLUENT/GAMBIT; iSIGHT; and LS-DYNA.
In addition to the educational contributions made by the five
PACE partners, several additional PACE Contributors and
Supporters have embraced the PACE mission, and contribute
valuable products and services to the PACE institutions. They are
3Dconnexion, Altair
Engineering,
Autodesk, Autoweb,
Engineous, Fluent,
Inc., Gamma
Technologies,
Livermore Software
Technology
Corporation, MSC.
Software, and
Wacom. q
For Wayne State and the College of Engineering,
September 18, 2007 was a day to enjoy the limelight.
In announcing its selection to Partners for the Advancement
of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE), the college
joined the ranks of 40 other prestigious universities worldwide
benefiting from engineering product lifecycle management
software, products and services valued at $408 million.
As Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in a video message
played at the morning announcement before a large
audience at General Lectures Auditorium, “It’s going to
enable students to learn and train on the same cuttingedge systems engineers use in the workplace.”
Representatives from the PACE partners – General Motors,
Siemens UGS PLM Software, EDS, Hewlett-Packard and Sun
Microsystems - along with WSU officials, gathered on the
specially designed stage to share their congratulatory remarks
in a carefully scripted program. The program and the day’s
activities, including VIP breakfast and luncheon, lab tours,
and GM vehicles displayed, were in the planning stages
involving the highest levels of the university for nearly a year.
“Our selection represents a leap forward in
solidifying Wayne State’s role as a major provider
of the technology workforce of tomorrow.”
President Irvin D. Reid
It was also a day almost ruined by a gas line rupture
occurring less than two hours before the scheduled PACE
announcement. The leak was triggered by a backhoe operator
working on the EDC construction site. Fortunately, General
Lectures was not affected by building closings, including
the main college building, for more than four hours.
Wayne State President Irvin D. Reid called Tuesday “an
historic day,” Gov. Granholm called it “great,” and Eugene
Driker, chairman of the WSU Board of Governors, said it was
“the beginning of a remarkable era.” Reid said, “Our selection
represents a leap forward in solidifying Wayne State’s role as
a major provider of the technology workforce of tomorrow.”
The PACE partners chose Wayne State through a rigorous
submission process. In a brief media conference following
the hour-and-a-half program, Ralph Szygenda, Group Vice
President and Chief Information Officer, IS&S, General
Motors Corporation, said the WSU College of Engineering
was chosen because its grant proposal was “phenomenal,”
because of its close proximity to GM’s headquarters, and
diversity of its students. He specifically mentioned the
college’s partnership with Chinese universities, bringing
Chinese graduate students here to study engineering.
Michele Grimm, associate dean for academic affairs,
who authored the proposal, said she couldn’t be more
excited for the students. “The benefits for our students
to learn and grow using this software are boundless.”
2007 In Review
9
Around Helios
photo by Rick Bielaczyc
Gov. Jennifer Granholm Visits The College Of Engineering
Naeim Henein, director of the Center for Automotive Research,
engages Gov. Granholm in the Transparent Engine Lab.
G
ov. Jennifer Granholm visited the College of
Engineering last fall to meet researchers developing
synthetic fueled generators for homeland security
and to tout her 21st Century Jobs Fund initiative.
Granholm announced the projects awarded by her
21st Century Jobs Fund, including more than $3 million
to the College of Engineering, and $4 million to other
Wayne State projects. The Jobs Fund, formerly the Life
Sciences Corridor fund, supports advanced research and
technology Michigan is counting on to help transition
the state’s economy from manufacturing to hightech, life science and alternative energy activities.
“It is so exciting for me that the beginning of
the transformation of Michigan’s economy, the
reshaping of our future, is starting with our
universities,” said Granholm. “That’s why I so
applaud you for focusing on commercializing ideas
from the university into the marketplace.”
A crowd of some 60 students, faculty and staff greeted
her inside the foyer of the main college building. President
Irvin D. Reid, the WSU Board of Governors, Engineering
Dean Ralph Kummler and faculty members conducting
research funded by her initiative then gathered inside the
10
Engineering Hall of Fame Lounge
where presentations were made.
Kummler welcomed the
governor and reviewed standout
college initiatives such as its
biosensors lab, bioengineering
research, nanotechnology and the
engineering ventures program. “The
capability we have been working
on for more than a decade in the
College of Engineering through the
Center for Automotive Research
has been to develop tremendous
expertise in diesel engines,”
Kummler said. “So when people
began looking at biofuels and
diesel engines, the capabilities
clearly existed in the college.”
Simon Ng, professor of chemical
engineering and director of
alternative energy technology, is the
principal investigator, along with
Naeim Henein, director of the Center for Automotive Research,
of the synthetic fueled generator project. Ng described in
detail for the governor how researchers are developing and
testing on-site electrical power generator hardware to run
on synthetic, biodiesel, and petroleum-based fuels. Project
partners include NextEnergy, Titan Energy Development,
Inc., and the US Army National Automotive Center (NAC).
Herbert Dobbs, team leader at NAC; Steven Hurt, vicepresident and director of Titan Energy Development, Inc.;
Thomas Black, CEO and president of Titan Energy; and Eric
Sattler from Alternative Fuels Technology, were present.
This will be the first time that a power generation device
will be optimized for multi-fuel application. Once developed,
local and federal authorities could use the generator for
emergency utility services deployed for a wide variety of
applications, including freshwater generation, emergency
power, satellite communication, lighting and HVAC.
The state of Michigan awarded a total of $100 million in
the first round to 61 university research teams and companies
throughout the state out of 500 proposals submitted.
After her brief talk, Granholm was directed to Henein
and Ng’s labs for brief tours and explanations. The
visit ended on the sidewalk outside the college where
Granholm was shown the Titan Sentry 5000 unit
that, in the near future, will be modified by the college
researchers to operate on multiple synthetic fuels. q
NSF Project Hopes To Improve University Culture
For Female Faculty
A
rmed with big plans and a big acronym, a team of
Wayne State professors are trying to improve attitudes
toward aspiring female candidates and faculty in
engineering and science.
“We’d like to see more female faculty members in
engineering and science,” says Ece Yaprak, professor of
engineering technology. Yaprak, along with Karen Tonso,
associate professor of education, are co-directors of
ESCALATE, a project supported by a $500,000 NSF grant
in a collaborative effort between the colleges of Liberal
Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Education. They are
joined by Ann Sodja, associate professor of biology, Allen
Batteau, associate professor of anthropology, and Michele
Grimm, associate dean of engineering.
ESCALATE is an acronym for Engineering and Sciences
Careers in Academia: Learning from ADVANCE and
Translating Effectively.
“My hope is to raise the issues, and with the awareness
we will gain greater understanding and sense of the
everyday solutions needed to address the problems that
exist,” says Tonso, who was the lead investigator in
procuring the NSF grant.
The ESCALATE team has attempted to quantify current
attitudinal issues toward female faculty members at
Wayne State. The results of their climate survey mirror
findings reported in extensive scholarly literature that
women faculty’s experiences tend not to be as positive as
men’s among the male and female faculty polled. This effect
is more acute among engineering and science faculty than
among humanities and social science faculty. The survey
results were similar with one taken at the University of
Michigan, says Tonso, even though Wayne State’s campus is
significantly more diverse.
“We’d like to see more female faculty
members in engineering and science.”
Ece Yaprak,
professor of engineering technology
The team has organized forums and networking
opportunities for women faculty to share information and
advice. They have sponsored a play that puts the spotlight
on biases in the academic workplace, and they plan to stage
several more addressing mentoring and hiring.
ESCALATE also offers small Career Development grants to
female faculty members to fund business-related travel and
childcare expenses while the women are attending
conferences, as well as needed improvements in labs. The
grants are also available to help bring speakers to Wayne
State.
“People don’t mean to be biased,” Tonso told The South End,
Wayne State’s student newspaper. “It is an implicit way we
have learned to understand.”
It may be a tall task to change attitudes, but Tonso and
Yaprak are hopeful it can be done. “It takes finding the few
key people (in key positions), and helping them become
aware and outspoken about these issues,” says Tonso.
Tonso and Yaprak invite anyone interested in learning
more information about ESCALATE, including the survey
results and conclusions, to visit the program website at:
escalate.wayne.edu q
by Elliot Njus, Engineering Public Affairs Summer Intern
Ece Yaprak, professor of engineering (left), and
Karen Tonso, associate professor of education
2007 In Review
11
Around Helios
Fourth Annual Drive Safely
To WSU Campaign Addresses
Preventable Crashes
WSU Police Nab Student In First Ever Fuel-Cell Traffic Stop
W
E
ach fall for the past four years, the College of
Engineering and the Transportation Research Group ask
the university community to pause and think about driving
safety. This year, the fourth annual Drive Safely to WSU
campaign promoted the following theme: Buckle Up. Drive
Sober. Eliminate Distractions.
Not bad words of advice. While Michigan drivers can be
saluted for leading most states in seat belt use (94 percent),
there is still room for improvement. About half of the 1,100
people who die on Michigan roads each year drive
unbuckled.
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land (right) returned
this year to support the WSU campaign.
We can all afford to be reminded of the campaign theme:
Buckle Up. Drive Sober. Eliminate Distractions.
The face of the WSU road safety campaign, WJBK-2 Traffic
Reporter Jackie Paige, introduced the guest speakers, leaders
in Michigan traffic safety, at the kickoff ceremonies under a
tent in Gullen Mall.
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Colonel Peter Munos of
the Michigan State Police, and Chief Deputy Director Jackie
Shinn of the Michigan Department of Transportation were
among the guests invited by Tapan Datta, professor of civil
and environmental engineering. His Transportation Research
Group of civil engineering graduate students provides critical
analysis and evaluation of the nation and Michigan’s
highway and safety programs.
For two days, Oct. 1 and 2, numerous tents, posters and
displays, including crash cars and motorcycles, were
presented on the Mall. Students had the chance to
demonstrate their knowledge of traffic-related topics
while playing various games, such as Jeopardy.
The Transportation Research Group’s traffic safety campus
campaign has been a model for other Michigan universities
to start their own traffic safety campaigns.
Traffic fatalities in Michigan declined for the fourth
straight year from 1,129 in 2005, to 1,084 in 2006. But
alcohol and drug-related traffic deaths in Michigan rose from
408 to 440. These preventable deaths account for more than
40 percent of all Michigan traffic fatalities.
Come to think of it, we can all afford to be reminded of
the campaign theme: Buckle Up. Drive Sober. Eliminate
Distractions. q
The WSU Transportation Research Group provided
safety information as well as entertainment.
This year’s crash car
ayne State Police issued a traffic
ticket June 5 for a routine driving
violation in what is believed to be the
first eco-friendly stop by a police officer
driving a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.
Wayne State Police Sgt. Frank Smith
made the stop, issuing a moving
violation to a student for driving
through a stop sign at Kirby Street
and Cass Avenue on the eastern edge
of campus. The street was heavy
with traffic in both directions, but
because of the small size of his patrol
car, Smith was able to maneuver
between a bus and the lineup of
cars and catch up with the driver as
she entered a parking structure.
The silver blue Mercedes A-Class
vehicle operated by the WSU police
runs on pure hydrogen converted
to electric power by a fuel cell
membrane packed under the
Campus Traffic Enforcement: WSU Police Sgt. Frank Smith likes driving the WSU
floorboard, giving it a top speed of
Fuel Cell police car.
87 mph and a range of about 110
miles. It is one of more than 100
vehicles in the DaimlerChrysler fuel cell
vehicle fleet distributed to companies around the world
had limited use until now because of delays in construction
to gather valuable data under daily driving conditions.
of the refueling station.
The car, complete with police lights, sirens and WSU police
The car is fueled at a BP hydrogen refueling station at the
department logos, often piques people’s interest, Smith says.
NextEnergy facility in Wayne State’s TechTown technology
“The first question people ask is if it is an electric car.”
park. The car serves as a laboratory for students in the
It can outmaneuver the Ford Crown Victoria, the most
predominant model in the WSU police car fleet, and is
“Some officers feel it’s too small and a lot of them
extremely quick off the start. In a recent street pursuit by two
think it’s cute,” Smith says. “It’s like any other
other WSU police vehicles, Smith recalls he was able to keep
police car, and I use it like a piece of equipment.”
up with them, and in the end, pull in front of the detained
suspect’s car to block its way.
“Some officers feel it’s too small and a lot of them think it’s
college’s Alternative Energy Technology program.
cute,” Smith says. “It’s like any other police car, and I use it
Wayne State Chief of Police Tony Holt says the F-Cell police
like a piece of equipment.”
car represents an important link between the university’s
Smith is not only impressed with the fuel cell car’s
research goals and their practical application in the real world.
practicality, but also its technology. “When I saw it for the
“I’m thrilled our police officers are leading by example,” Holt
first time, I thought, ‘It’s a funny-looking car,’” he says. But
says. “By utilizing a police car fueled by alternative energy, we
after driving the environmentally friendly car on duty twice
are keeping the campus safe and at the same time protecting
weekly, he believes it is a good solution for the future. “I like
and helping to sustain the environment.”
that one, and would buy it for myself.”
The three-year project, funded in part by the US
story and photo by Justyna Konczalska,
Department of Energy, is in its final year, but the F-Cell car
Engineering Public Affairs Writer
photos by Rick Bielaczyc
12
2007 In Review
13
Around Helios
Clinton Tours
NextEnergy Facility
Researchers Evaluate New
EMS Warning System
C
E
ollege of Engineering research attracted presidential
attention when Wayne State played host to
former president Bill Clinton. Clinton spent an hour
and a half April 29 touring the NextEnergy Center
in the Techtown technology park accompanied by
NextEnergy CEO Jim Croce, Detroit Mayor Kwame
Kilpatrick, and Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Steven Hunt, vice president of Titan Energy (center), and
Simon Ng, professor of chemical engineering (right), are
partners in the synthetic fuel generator project.
Clinton was described as engaged and enthusiastic when
he met Ralph Kummler, dean of engineering, Simon Ng,
professor, chemical engineering and materials science and
director of the National Biofuels Energy Lab, representatives
of major automotive manufacturers, and Michigan
entrepreneurs developing alternative energy technologies.
Ng and Steven Hurt, vice president of Titan Energy, a
partner in Ng’s synthetic fuel generator project, explained
to Clinton how the project funded by the Michigan
21st Century Jobs Fund is developing an emergency
mobile power generator that can run on various local
and accessible fuel sources, including biofuels. q
14
ver notice how long it takes these days for drivers to pull
over to the side of the road to make way for emergency
vehicles bearing down the street? The phenomenon has not
been lost on firefighters, police and ambulance drivers on
the way to emergencies. They blame cell phones, iPods and
other electronic devices for an increase in the time required
to respond to emergencies.
Emergency responders often need to slow down or stop
at intersections despite their vehicles’ flashing lights and
sirens running to make sure the way is clear, says Tapan
Datta, director of the Wayne State University–Transportation
Research Group (WSU-TRG), which is evaluating a new
warning system designed to alert drivers of oncoming
emergency vehicles.
The Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS), developed
by Livonia-based inventor Thomas Pappas, was installed
in July at three Dearborn Heights intersections to provide
drivers with a visual warning that emergency vehicles are
approaching.
The devices consist of LED lights arranged in the shape of
a fire truck. They hang adjacent to the traffic signals at the
intersections of Beech Daily and Warren, Beech Daly and
Hass and Warren and Fenton and are activated from 2,000
feet away by emergency responders sending a signal via a
dedicated frequency.
Dearborn Heights
Mayor Daniel Paletko
offered his city as the first
test site for the E‑Light
system when he was
approached by Pappas.
The WSU-TRG was
selected to evaluate the
effectiveness of the new
system and report its findings to Dearborn Heights officials
and the Federal Highway Administration, which approved
its use for this trial period. E-Light LLC has agreed to pay
for its installation and $17,000 to conduct the research. The
principal investigator for the evaluation project is Peter
Savolainen, an assistant professor of civil engineering and a
member of the WSU-TRG.
Datta, a traffic engineer and civil engineering professor,
says his group will compare video recordings of traffic
taken by cameras at the intersections before and after the
installation of the devices. He believes the system can change
driver habits after an initial learning period. q
What? High School Math You Might Like?
S
Karen Norwood, associate professor of mathematics
tudents who shudder at the mention of “calculus” may
education at NC State and a member of the MINDSET
soon have a more exciting alternative as fourth-year
project team, says teaching the application behind the
math requirements are introduced into American high
mathematics makes
schools.
more sense than
A $3 million National
teaching the skills
Science Foundation grant to
before the application.
researchers at Wayne State
Many students, she
University, North Carolina
says, memorize the
State and the University of
required skills but
North Carolina-Charlotte
don’t understand how
will fund development,
to apply them to realtesting and implementation
world situations.
of an innovative math
North Carolina and
curriculum that makes math
Michigan are leading
relevant, comprehendible,
the national trend
and engaging for students.
requiring mathematics
The five-year project,
Wayne State industrial and manufacturing engineering grad students
instruction for high
called Mathematics
having fun with math formulations and applications
school seniors. Both states
Instruction using Decision
are phasing in fourthScience and Engineering
year mathematics requirements. North Carolina already
Tools (MINDSET), was born in direct response to a call
requires a fourth year of math for students attending any of
by universities and state departments of education to
the 16 University of North Carolina system schools.
boost poor proficiency skills among American students.
The research collaborators hope that their curriculum
“The MINDSET approach enlists principles from industrial
may one day be a model for the rest of the country. In
engineering and operations research, including probability
the project’s first two years, the researchers will develop
and statistics,” says MINDSET co-creator Kenneth Chelst,
the material – a textbook and curriculum – for the
chair of the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
new course. In the third year, pilot testing of the class
Department. “It stresses creative problem-solving and
will occur in five schools in North Carolina and five
decision-making, enabling students to use mathematics to
in Michigan. Testing will expand to 15 schools in each
think analytically in the classroom as well as in everyday
state in the fourth year. In the fifth year, formal testing
life,” adds Chelst, who, along with WSU Professor of
of the course and its curriculum will be done in a total
Education Tom Edwards, has been working to develop
of 50 North Carolina and Michigan high schools.
non-traditional math modules for quite some time.
Along with the development of material, however, goes
Robert Young, professor of industrial engineering
a recognition that teachers will also need to be trained
at NC State and the principal investigator for the
to teach this new type of curriculum. “We’ll build
grant, says that MINDSET aims to benefit both high
a support mechanism to train teachers to teach this
school seniors who go straight into the workforce
material,” Young says. That includes both on-campus
after high school as well as those preparing for college
and online semester-long courses, summer workshops,
work. “Making math relevant to students will improve
and technical support during the school year to help
their attitude toward it and make them better prepared
teachers learn the industrial engineering and operations
when they enter the workforce – or the university.”
research material and teach it to 12th-graders.
The MINDSET curriculum presents hypothetical yet
“Before MINDSET, pre-calculus, discrete mathematics
common business challenges. For example, challenging
and statistics were the only choices available. All had
students to employ MINDSET principles might involve
very few examples of direct immediate relevance to
designing school bus routes, finding the best location
high school students” Chelst says. “Now students
for a new recreation center, calculating an appropriate
in Michigan and North Carolina will benefit from
automobile insurance policy deductible, or evaluating
a more application-oriented math course.” q
ways to reduce wait-lines for public restrooms.
2007 In Review
15
Around Helios
Summer is Engineering Camp Time at WSU
Engineering Program Is Launch-Pad For
Young Women
Incoming Freshmen Get Head Start With
New Summer Minority Program
HSETI Brings Engineering’s Next
Generation To Wayne State
K
A
A
Students attend HSETI every summer throughout high
school, beginning the summer before their freshman year,
and continuing Saturdays throughout the school year. The
program concludes in the spring of their senior year.
Student Jamaul Hall learned about HSETI from an
adviser at Mackenzie High School in Detroit. Hall has
decided to pursue a civil engineering degree from
Wayne State after he graduates. “I got in because I really
wanted to experience being on a college campus and
to try the engineering thing,” he says.
To supplement classes at Wayne State,
students take trips to nearby industries to
experience engineering firsthand. This
summer, the students visited COSI science
museum in Toledo, the GM Proving Grounds
in Milford, and the Pepsi Bottling Group
plant in Detroit. Students also visited the
Tucker, Young, Jackson, Tull Inc. consulting
firm as part of their civil engineering class.
During a tour of the Pepsi plant, two plant
engineers and College of Engineering alumni
offered advice to the students bound for an
engineering career. Deardra Griffin, BSIE’90,
shared how a similar summer program helped
her succeed in school. Sherea Ford, BSME’06,
joined Griffin in sharing lessons learned in
college and in their professional careers.
To apply to HSETI, students submit a
Cranbrook School junior Chris Robinson dressed up for a mock interview for the
school transcript, a list of extracurricular
HSETI personal development course.
activities, a list of offices held, and any honors
or awards they received. The application
process is extremely competitive, program coordinator Tash
Institute (HSETI) designed to introduce students
Linder-Haynes says, “When students find out they’ve been
from urban schools to engineering and prepare
accepted, they’re very excited. And so are the parents.”
them for competitive college-level study.
The summer session concludes in July with a closing
“I’m able to simplify basic principles of civil
presentation. In groups, students report on field trips and
engineering,” says Tucker, an engineer in a Detroit
classes in a setting similar to a corporate shareholders
engineering consulting firm. “The goal is for them to
meeting. Their guests are asked to vote whether the sessions
have a reasonable idea of what the profession of civil
were a success. “The students are really the stars of the
engineering is about and hopefully spark an interest
show,” Linder-Haynes says. The best-performing student
for them to pursue civil engineering (as a career).”
earned the honor of introducing the keynote speaker,
Program planners hope to strengthen the students’
25-year-old engineer and drag racer Brian Olatunja.
performance in high school courses. The HSETI
students take classes in math and English and even
by Elliot Njus, Engineering Public Affairs Summer Intern
write résumés and participate in mock interviews.
Photo by Elliot Njus
s 32 high school juniors shuffle into his class, instructor
Eric Tucker says, “If you’ve got to go to the bathroom,
you’d better do it now. You’ve got three minutes.” As the
students take their second exam of the course, Tucker
sits at a desk, reviewing papers with his red pen.
But while these are high school students,
this isn’t a high school class.
It’s intro to civil engineering, part of the College
of Engineering’s High School Engineering Training
16
een on fostering interest in science, engineering and
math, the college connects with teenage girls each
summer with the message that engineering is not just for
men. This past
summer, the
four-week Women
in Engineering
Training (WET)
program attracted
a group of 30
metro Detroit sixth
graders to campus,
June 25 to July
20, for the first of
three consecutive
summers.
In WET’s
engineering course
this year, students
designed and built
model rockets, then
launched them
from the Wayne
State athletic fields.
Instructor Melissa
LaBell supervised
the construction
in class, but
the students
assembled the
Instructor Melissa LaBell leads rocket
rockets without any
launching on the WSU intramural field.
instruction from
her. The lack of
direct help teaches the students to work as a team
and communicate well, says Labell, a junior studying
industrial and manufacturing engineering.
“The program is designed to get them interested in
math and engineering through hands-on activities and
projects and providing the opportunity for them to
interact with female college students,” Labell explains.
The students took classes in computers, communications
and mathematics. On Fridays, they visited the COSI science
museum in Toledo, the Pepsi Bottling Group production
facility in Detroit and Greenfield Village in Dearborn.
Another highlight was a Society of Women Engineers
forum. And at the program’s closing ceremony, the
students shared their experiences with their parents. q
fter high school graduation, new college students may
have trouble motivating themselves to study or do
homework without reminders from teachers and parents. To
avoid shaky first semesters, four Michigan universities are
working together to help high school students make a
successful transition to college life and its added
responsibilities.
Students in the Michigan-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority
Participation (MILSAMP) program are bound for careers in
science, technology, engineering or math, collectively known
as STEM fields. Students attend classes at Wayne State, the
University of Michigan, Michigan State University or Western
Michigan University. The program reaches out to African
Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics and Pacific Islanders,
who historically have lower graduation rates than the student
body as a whole.
This year, 16 aspiring engineering students took classes at
the College of Engineering from July 9 through Aug. 3, where
they honed academic learning skills as well as studied math
and science. “We’re trying to get students involved earlier, in
their freshman and sophomore year,” says Michelle Reaves,
director of Wayne State’s MILSAMP program. The program
continues to offer opportunities throughout the year,
including placement in study groups, research projects and
internships.
Jasmine Boykins, 18, says she will be a step ahead thanks to
the MILSAMP program. “I got involved with the program so I
can enhance my computer engineering skills,” she explains.
“It helped me with organization, time management and
helped me be prepared for the fall and what’s yet to come.”
Boykins is studying computer engineering at Wayne State. She
says she learned
about MILSAMP
from Associate Dean
Gerald Thompkins at
Wayne State’s
Scholars Day.
Thompkins also
visits high schools to
promote the college’s
programs, Reaves
says, and she sends
letters to potential
participants inviting
Last summer’s MILSAMP group visited the
them to apply. q
Detroit Pepsi Group Bottling Plant with
program director Michelle Reaves (in green
shirt).
2007 In Review
17
Around Helios
Engineering. Singh, Stephen Cavanagh, associate dean
of the Wayne State College of Nursing, and Bhanu
Jena, professor of physiology in the School of Medicine,
visited other colleges in Hyderabad, New Delhi and
other cities in the northwestern part of the country.
The Wayne State delegation brought with them offers
for two graduate fellowships, five $3,000 graduate
scholarships, and ten $500 graduate scholarships.
They arranged the symposium for leaders of
engineering colleges in New Delhi at the Oberoi Hotel
to provide an opportunity for more colleges from
New Delhi and its surrounding provinces to learn
about Wayne State. The symposium, “Expansion of
Global Education,” attracted 30 college administrators
and faculty. Many of the participants traveled more
than 90 miles to get to the meeting, Singh says.
In addition to Reid’s talk, various college administrators
made presentations on aspects of global education. Most
Wayne State Extends International
Partnerships With Universities In India
Harpreet Singh, professor of electrical and computer engineering (foreground left), accompanied WSU President Irvin D. Reid to a
symposium on global education in New Delhi as part of WSU’s global outreach excursions to India.
I
n a world of ever-expanding globalization, Wayne State
University continues to develop and strengthen its
international partnerships.
A trip to Indian institutions of higher education,
spearheaded by President Irvin D. Reid in August 2006,
a formal agreement between the College of Engineering
and the Institute of Technology Roorkee, signed July 5, and
a memorandum of understanding between the college
and the Hindustan Group of Institutions in Chennai
signed Sept. 13, will result in intellectual exchange and
more top-notch Indian students coming to Wayne State.
Reid and Vice Chancellor Mohammed Suleman
Siddiqi of Osmania University in Hyberabad, India,
agreed that international cooperation is key to the
promotion of excellence in higher education in this era
of globalization. The two say they looked forward to
follow-up efforts to pursue bilateral cooperation between
the two institutions in the area of energy and the
environment, as well as developing student exchanges.
At a symposium on global education in New Delhi
arranged by Wayne State, Reid elaborated on Wayne State’s
18
standout research programs in nanotechnology and the
College of Engineering’s joint biannual conference with
the government of Egypt to reduce pollution in Cairo.
Many Indian students pursue postgraduate
studies at Wayne State, which is positioned on the
front line of research institutions in the United
States. Wayne State wants to attract Osmania’s best
talent by offering fellowships and scholarships,
Reid told Osmania University officials.
In addition to India, Wayne State enjoys an
ever-increasing number of research and academic
program partnerships with institutions of higher
learning throughout the world, including Egypt,
China and many European countries.
The college has a tradition of ties with Indian colleges,
including the Institute of Engineering & Technology in
Badadal, which sends graduate students to Wayne State
to study and pursue internships in Detroit-area industry.
Harpreet Singh, professor, electrical and computer
engineering, is a frequent visitor of the Institute and
accompanied Reid on a tour of Osmania’s College of
of the attendees have visited Wayne State on different
occasions, says Singh. “They were all very highly impressed
by the increasing number of Indian students enrolled at
Wayne State, as well as Wayne State’s progress in research,
education and construction of new buildings on campus.”
Singh visited about a half-dozen engineering colleges
on his own during the trip, including Jawahar Lal
Technical University in Hyderabad, Punjab Engineering
College, Chandigarh, IIT Roorkee and Kurukshetra
University. “The trip was a great success,” he says.
“We now have 85 applications for admission.”
The college and the Institute of Technology Roorkee
signed a memorandum of understanding July 5 outlining
a new partnership. Representing IIT Roorkee, located
in the Utranchal area of India, was Director Suresh
Chandra Saxena. Singh represented the college at
the signing, which took place at the Pan IIT Global
Conference of alumni in Santa Clara, Calif. q
Wayne State Takes On Egypt’s Environmental
Challenges At Cairo Conference
Like other “mega-cities” of the world,
Cairo, a city of 11 million people, is
beleaguered by air pollution.
But its citizens can breathe easier knowing some of
the world’s best minds are working with the Egyptian
government to decrease harmful emissions. The
effort is part of an ongoing collaboration established
by the Cairo International Conference on the
Environment and Energy, held every two years with
strong participation by Wayne State University.
Several hundred scientists and engineers from
around the world met for the 10th biannual conference
March 11 through 15 in Luxor, a city in southern
Egypt. “We see many people doing exhaustive
research as a result of our presentations,” says
Naeim Henein, professor of mechanical engineering
and a long-time conference contributor.
President Irvin D. Reid made opening remarks again
this year, reminding conference delegates of the impact
the gathering has made in the past. For example, the
Egyptian government instituted new regulations to
reduce toxic lead emissions in cars, smelters and
factories. “I commend the government of Egypt for its
continuing commitment to this important conference
and to the protection of the environment,” Reid says.
The first conference in 1989 was held as a result of Dean
Ralph Kummler’s 20-year association with his first Egyptian
graduate students, Alaa and Amal El-Sharkawy. They
introduced him to Abdullatif El-Sharkawy, now secretarygeneral of Egypt’s Supreme Council for Research Centers
and Institutes. The conference grabs the Egyptian media’s
attention every two years when Egyptian government
department heads hold a press conference on its first day.
Kummler, a chemical engineer and expert in
hazardous waste disposal, and Abdullatif El-Sharkawy
have served as conference chairs from the beginning.
Wayne State’s contingent included Reid, Kummler,
Henein and colleagues from the college’s Center
for Automotive Research. The center is known
internationally for its pioneering research in automotive
combustion engines, particularly diesel combustion.
This year, Henein, a native Egyptian, made a keynote
presentation on biodiesel fuel and several presentations
on diesel engine behavior. Henein came to Wayne
State in 1970 from the University of Michigan where he
earned his Phd in mechanical engineering. Before that,
he attended Alexandria University and Cairo University,
where he earned his master’s and bachelor’s respectively.
2007 In Review
19
Around Helios
Former WSU Professor Is Subject Of New
Hollywood Motion Picture
Students at State Hall in 1960
T
he story of former Wayne State mechanical
engineering professor and inventor Robert
Kearns and campus life at WSU at the time will come
to life on the big screen sometime in 2008.
Universal Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment are in
post production for a major Hollywood motion picture –
Flash of Genius - based on the life of Robert Kearns, who
invented the intermittent automobile windshield wiper, then
spent the rest of his life in court claiming his ownership.
The full-length feature stars Greg Kinnear as Kearns. The
role of Phyllis Kearns, who watches her husband’s obsession
with legal retribution suffocate their marriage and put a
strain on their children, is played by Lauren Graham.
Shooting of the script, based on a New Yorker
article by John Seabrook, took place last summer
at the University of Toronto, which served as the
stand-in for Wayne State University campus.
The third scene of the movie has Kearns in a classroom
behind a podium welcoming students to the first
class. “Good day. My name is Professor Kearns. I’d like
to talk to you about ethics.” The script describes a sea
of faces turning blank. Kearns goes on to explain how
some students will use their engineering background to
invent a heart valve, and another the gas chamber.
Besides his engaging teaching skills, students and colleagues
remember him as an amiable member of the faculty who
wore a coat and tie. If he appeared aloof to some, it was
most likely due to his rapid-fire thought process. “He was
constantly thinking,” says Maureen Kearns of Detroit, the
20
youngest of his six children, who along with her four
brothers and one sister, are also portrayed in the film.
While fans of the actors, those knowledgeable
of Kearn’s compelling story, and the Wayne State
community anticipate its release, there is the question
of how true the film will depict reality, at least the
decade he taught at the College of Engineering.
Kearns was born in Gary, Ind. in 1927 and grew up in River
Rouge. He earned his master’s from Wayne State and was
professor of mechanical engineering here from 1957 to 1967
when he left to become the Detroit building commissioner.
Using dramatic license, script writers for Flash of Genius date
Kearns at Wayne State beginning in 1969, not 1957 when he
was appointed assistant professor. Most of the rest of his life
– he died in 2005 from cancer - is compressed into 10 years.
Even with Hollywood costume and makeup magic, it cannot
age an actor more than 10 years without obvious flaws.
Maureen Kearns, who with her mom Phyllis Kearns
and the rest of the family, traveled to Toronto in early
September to watch the courtroom scenes being filmed, says
Greg Kinnear’s appearance as her father looked real. “We
were surprised he looked so much like Dad,” she says.
A patent was granted
in November 1967
for the electronic
intermittent wiper
Kearns developed while
on the Wayne State
faculty. Kearns and Ford
never reached a licensing
agreement, and after the
company introduced
the wiper in 1969,
and other companies
followed, Kearns sued.
In later years he acted
as his own attorney,
Phyllis and Robert Kearns in 1971
and enlisted his entire
after he left Wayne State
family in the process.
Kearns lived to see Ford eventually pay $10.2 million
for patent infringement. Chrysler was ordered to
pay him $18.5 million. Much of the money went to
pay legal expenses. In the end, he was disappointed
because the courts did not bar the companies from
continuing to manufacture his device. He wanted to
manufacture them himself, says Maureen Kearns. q
photos courtesy of WSU photo archives, Walter Reuther Library
Wayne State Bioengineer Turns Sports Into
Science For Network Cable Shows
B
iomedical engineering may not sound glamorous,
but a Wayne State bioengineering researcher has
found herself in the national limelight. Associate Professor
Cynthia Bir plays a starring role in two new shows by BASE
Productions, a Fox Sports Network series called “Sports
Science” and a National Geographic Channel feature
called “Super Strength,” both airing on cable television.
“The shows are appreciated by a lot of different audiences,
different age groups and backgrounds,” says Bir, who started
her career as a research nurse, earned her PhD in biomedical
engineering at WSU and joined the faculty in 2000. “This
demonstrates ways you can take the principles of physics
and human biomechanics, apply them to athletes, and
bring them to life, to the big screen,” Bir says. “A lot of
what we did for the show was what would be considered
soft science, but that’s how it brings young people in.”
A Los Angeles television producer first sought
Bir’s expertise several years ago for a new National
Geographic Channel feature called “Fight Science.” Her
work measuring and mapping the speed, force and
range of nerves, muscles, bones and weapons (both
human and material), and the show’s immediate
success, ultimately inspired these two new programs.
“In ‘Sports Science’ we’ve applied the tools developed
in the lab to record, measure and map the speed,
force and range of the human body, specifically, the
athlete,” says Bir. “That paired with the computer
graphics makes for a pretty cool show.”
Bir and several other experts join NFL linebacker Joey
Porter and former NHL great Luc Robitaille on the set
in one episode of “Sports Science” to measure and help
illustrate the forces involved in the “Hardest Hits.” In
another, they join Chris “Skywalker” Lowrey, a New
York City street baller and dunk champion, to measure
his vertical leap and the forces in play that allow him
to jump over a sports car on the way to a slam dunk.
“Super Strength” is being promoted by the National
Geographic Channel with promos like, “We call
them Super Human. And they can do the impossible.
Shatter stacks of concrete with the skull, fists and
forearms. Bend solid steel wrenches by hand.”
The feature builds on the original Fight Science show
that brought martial artists such as tae kwon do champions
James Lew and Bren Foster, jiu jitsu legend Rickson Gracie,
karate practioner Mark Hicks, and ninjitsu expert and
stuntman Glen Levy to the set to demonstrate their skills
and ability to use their bodies as powerful weapons.
For all three shows – Fight Science, Sports Science, and
Super Strength – the producers use high speed, high
definition cameras to capture the athletes in motion, and
in post-production, matrix-like CGI animation, to illustrate
their point graphically. The post-production animators
create 3-D models derived from the athletes and their
choreography. The result is an impressive and dazzling
meld of science and human sport taken to the edge.
Bir won’t deny that the months she spent during two
summers - first in 2005 on a dojo studio set, and last
summer in a converted airplane hanger - was fun. But
that’s the point. “Students in America are falling further
and further behind in science and math. Perhaps we
Cynthia Bir and Base Productions Director John Brenkus on the
set working with boxers Vicente Escobedo and Pepe Riley
can change this trend, turning them on to science
by way of sports and shows like this,” she says.
WSU researchers have played a critical role in the
development of auto and sports safety design, pioneering
the field of impact biomechanics with their work leading to
many automotive safety design improvements. Bir adds that
Wayne State research on human body impacts, including
crash tests and sports-related injuries, continues to spur the
creation of safer cars, helmets and other protective sports gear.
“People locally may not realize that Wayne State’s
engineering sports and closed-head injury research
has contributed to the safety standards set for sportsrelated helmets and other athletic equipment in
the United States,” says Francine Wunder, director
of WSU corporate and public affairs. q
2007 In Review
21
Around Helios
Student volunteers David Patel, Meah Tweh and Rick Patel
W
ayne State University’s Matthaei Athletic Complex
turned into robotic madness March 16 and 17 when
FIRST Robotics Detroit Regional Championships returned to
the university for the fourth year.
This year’s theme, “Rack‘n Roll,” was an apt description for
the games, which attracted 34 high school teams from the
metro Detroit area, a team from Flint, as well as a team that
came all the way from Mexico City. Gov. Jennifer Granholm dropped into the games Saturday
afternoon to personally congratulate the teenage participants.
WSU President Irvin D. Reid was also on hand. “You are the
future and the key to Michigan’s economy,” Granholm told
a cheering crowd that welcomed her with a loud “Hip-HipHurray!” Michele Grimm, associate dean of academic affairs for the
College of Engineering, welcomed the students at Friday’s
opening ceremony. Working together to build their robots, the
students developed problem-solving skills that will help them
in any field they choose, Grimm said.
Once the rules for this year’s competition were announced
the first week of January, the teams had six weeks to design,
program and build their robots from scratch. This year’s rules
required the robots to pick up air-filled plastic rings and place
them on independently free-moving racks in order to score.
Teams are required to form an alliance to work together in
a way that maximizes each team’s robot capabilities against
another alliance on the field.
22
The teams compete on a large playing field
with referees and scoreboards. A lively crowd
made up of cheerleaders, teammates, fans and
parents in colorful, crazy outfits cheer loudly
from the surrounding bleachers, creating a
surging spirit.
“It’s like ‘tic-tac-toe’, but you play with
robots,” said Aaron Duvall, a member of the
Melvindale High School Robocards. To make
it more interesting, the game rules allowed for
robots to employ defensive measures. Extra
points were given to robots that neutralized
opponent robots by lifting them off the ground. The alliance made up of Team 247 (Berkley
High School), Team 123 (Hamtramck), and
Team 903 (Chadsey/Southwestern) won this
year’s championship trophy. Additional awards
were given to teams for technology, creativity,
animation, and design, as well as sportsmanship
and entrepreneurship. The UP Preparatoria team
from Mexico City received the Rookie All Star
Award. And the all-girl’s Pink Panthers from the Detroit
Academy for Young Women high school won the Imagery
Award.
Two full four-year scholarships to study at the College of
Engineering were available to students on FIRST Robotics
teams who participated at the Detroit regional.
FIRST Robotics places emphasis on partnerships between
schools, businesses and universities. Many companies,
including GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler Corp. and Delphi,
sponsor teams. The games involve more than 30,000 teams
from around the world, providing an exchange of resources
and talent, building cooperation, and exposing students to
new career choices.
Other regionals took place in Michigan and across the
country, culminating in the National championships in
Atlanta April 12 through 14. “The game rules are different every year,” said Steven
Walter, a senior on the Robocards. The FIRST Robotics rules
are good because they give all teams the same amount of
time to complete their robots, Walter added. The rules also
encourage the teams to work with professional mentors.
Abhilash Pandya, assistant professor of electrical and
computer engineering, helped the Melvindale High School
team program their robot.
by Justyna Konczalska, Engineering Public Affairs Writer
College of Engineering Instrument Designer
Focuses on Hard Work
by Melanie Williams
Larry Herrick takes
hard work to a new level
at Wayne State. Herrick,
instrument designer
for the Engineering
Technology Division is
a metro Detroit native
who uses his 20-year
work experience at
WSU to enhance the
education of students.
Herrick ensures space
utilization activities and
operational services
for ET. Herrick says he
loves his job and doesn’t
mind putting in long
hours and overtime.
Herrick was awarded
the President’s
Exceptional Service
Award both bronze
(1998) and silver in 2001.
“The job of teaching
machine tool technology
to students is worth every minute of my hard labor,” Herrick
says. “I enjoy working and helping students who are focused
and task orientated. Twenty years of devotion, late nights
and hard work is worth the success of my students’ future.”
Herrick finds ways to contribute and volunteer his time
and knowledge. Each March, he contributes his time and
experience in the machine shop to help high school robotic
teams with emergency fixes to their robots during the
FIRST Robotics Championships held across the street from
ET’s machine shop at the Matthaei Athletic Complex.
He has volunteered at more than 30 different WSU
functions and programs, including WSU Homecoming
and college luncheons. He also has served as a building
coordinator and a volunteer for the Formula SAE team.
In addition, Herrick has made numerous contributions
outside of the university. He served as a volunteer for
the Ford 100th year celebration and Martin Luther King
photo by Alonso del Arte
photo by Rick Bielaczyc
WSU Matthaei Complex Turns Into Robotic Madness
Engineering Technology Division instrument designer
Larry Herrick’s (left) automatic mode is helping people.
and Rosa Parks College Day program, and as a volunteer
for Noel Night and Detroit’s 300 tall ship celebrations.
“I don’t mind volunteering,” Herrick says. “I
was born here, I work here and I raised a family
here. What more can you ask for?”
Herrick graduated from Manchester Community College
in Connecticut, earning a degree in liberal arts and serving
three years in the US Marine Corps. In 1987, he joined WSU’s
College of Science where he worked as an instrument designer.
After 10 years, he transferred to the College of Engineering
and kept the same title and duties. While his accomplishments
have been plentiful, Herrick felt the need to strive higher,
which led him to his current position as a faculty coordinator.
This article first appeared in Life@Wayne, the university online
magazine.
2007 In Review
23
Around Helios
Computer Engineering Students Featured In
Compuware Software Ad
Engineering students Nick
Minor, Riki Patel, Vukasin Denic
and Randall McKeever are building
their résumés — with an Erector
Set. The students won the chance
to appear in a Compuware
advertisement by designing and
building a replica of the Compuware
Corporation building in downtown
Detroit using an Erector kit.
Minor, Patel, Denic and McKeever
volunteered for the project
when Compuware approached
BE 1200 instructor Olugbenga
Mejabi, associate professor of
industrial and manufacturing
engineering, in search of students
for its new advertisement. The
ad promoted programming
software called OptimalJ.
“Software developers typically
enjoyed modeling kits as children,”
says Gwen Mitchell, project manager
of Creative Marketing Services
at Compuware. “The Erector Set
concept was designed to elicit that
nostalgic childhood experience
associated with modeling.”
Compuware gave the students
the freedom to propose their
own project. After choosing to
replicate Compuware’s building,
they worked to complete it
under the guidance of Mohamad
Hassoun, electrical and computer
engineering professor. “We chose
to build the Compuware building
because it’s their building,” Denic
says. “Plus, it is shaped like a ‘W.’”
Mitchell was extremely happy
with the final product. “We chose
the WSU students because they had
the technical knowledge and quite
a bit of passion for the project.”
24
H elios N ews B r i e fs
College Start-Up Obtains $100,000 To Study
Acoustic Characteristics Of Jet Plume
Researchers Begin Testing Biodiesel
Fuel In Delivery Vans
A College of Engineering spin-off company located in
Wayne State’s TechTown research and development park is
aiming high. By studying the sounds of jets flying overhead,
the company tries to make life
more comfortable on the ground.
A $100,000 grant from the US
Air Force allows SenSound LLC
to study the technical issues of
the acoustic characteristics of a
jet plume produced by a highperformance jet engine. The
company is conducting feasibility
studies and developing a robust,
portable and accurate holography
tool to map the acoustical field
produced by a full-scale jet engine.
Insight and knowledge
gained from the research will
enable manufacturers to devise more cost-effective ways
to reduce engine noise from high-performance military
fighter jets and commercial airliners, according to Sean Wu,
distinguished professor, mechanical engineering, and vice
president for technology at SenSound. “Users of this tool
will be provided an in-depth understanding of jet noise that
cannot be obtained by conventional measurements and
analysis technologies,” he says. The objective of the study
is to facilitate development of a technology that will allow
engineers to correlate jet noise to a jet stream, he adds.
Art Van Furniture of Michigan has joined a consortium
of partners testing biofuels led by engineering researchers
and will begin using the fuels in a number of its delivery
trucks. The National Biofuels Energy Lab at NextEnergy
has completed Phase One of analyzing biofuels derived
from vegetable oils and animal fats, with the aim of
recommending processes that produce a fuel that works
most efficiently in auto engines, said Simon Ng, professor
of chemical engineering and the NBEL director. Phase Two
moves the testing from the laboratory into the field.
Nanoscience Researchers Receive
$333,423 University Grant
(Left to right) Vukasin Denic, Nick Minor and Randall McKeever
Not pictured: Riki Patel The university has awarded $333,423 in Research
Enhancement Grant money to support a research effort by
chemical engineering and School of Medicine researchers
in a collaborative project to understand membrane fusion
at the atomic level. The research will enable the design
and development of smart membrane-based bio-sensors
for use in detection of environmental toxins and biological
agents, according to the researchers. Just as significant,
the research can be applied to health care technology,
leading to the development of drugs and drug delivery
systems for targeted delivery and their sustained release.
Charles Manke and Jeff Potoff are the investigators
from the Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Department working on the project, and Bhanu Jena,
professor of physiology, from the School of Medicine.
National Health Institute Grants
$735,000 for Dendrimer Research
Rangaramanujam Kannan, professor of chemical
engineering, has been awarded a yearly $735,000 grant from
the National Institute of Health’s Perinatology Research
Branch (PRB) to create a nanotechnology branch in PRB
to develop dendrimer-based nanotechnology platforms
for the diagnosis and treatment of chorioamnionitis, and
maternal-fetal medicine in general. Kannan and researchers
at the Karmanos Cancer Institute continue to press
forward with their promising work in nano “targeted” drug
delivery systems. The researchers work with tiny polymer
constructs called dendrimers (about 5-10 nanometers)
that act as cancer-drug carrying vehicles that attach to
cancer cells, which can be highly resistant to drugs.
College To Receive $509,000 In
Electronics Design Software
Altrium Limited of Australia has provided $509,000 in
the latest electronics design software to the college. The
software will greatly enhance student and researcher ability
to design advanced electronic devices and components.
The donation is the result of Professor Robert Erlandson’s
efforts to enhance the digital design capabilities of his
Enabling Technologies Laboratory and the Electrical and
Computer Engineering Department. Erlandson and his
students, both graduate and undergraduate, have enhanced
the lives of special needs workers and students by developing
workplace devices and solutions. The donation includes
15 Atrium Designer 6 Unified Product Development
System network licenses for the classroom, four standalone licenses for instructors to create curricula, grade
and review projects, web-based training for instructors,
and 5-year access to Atrium’s Sales and Support Center.
2007 In Review
25
aR t
F e at u r e S t o r i e s
“The thrust of it is working with special education
students,” Erlandson says. “We want them to believe in
themselves.”
The grants also require that they be based on a
business model involving community input and
collaboration. Student teams work closely with a client
to design a workable prototype product, which is then
delivered to the client addressing a specific need. Many
of the prototypes have been replicated and sold at cost to
other organizations. One of them, Michigan
Rehabilitation Services, supplies the tools to its clients,
enabling them to competently work for Michigan
businesses.
Some of the products produced by Erlandson’s
students are:
• Talking scales for weighing and counting
• Switch-operated semiautomatic ribbon cutting
machines
• Switch-operated paper-punching machines
• Customized adjustable workstations
• Customized seating and support devices enabling
people with severe physical disabilities to sit or
stand comfortably, minimizing fatigue
High-tech Job Tools Help the Disabled Find Work
by Kurt Anthony Krug
Contributing Writer
E
ntrepreneur Lisa Knoppe-Reed has taken a
uniquely responsible approach to business.
Her company employs people with disabilities
at fair-market wages, while a College of
Engineering professor has helped make the
arrangement more feasible.
Knoppe-Reed, 44, of Birmingham, founded Art For A
Cause in 1998. The company produces CuteTools!, a product
line which draws from the talents of school children and
people with physical and mental disabilities. A percentage of
the proceeds are donated to local charities.
Knoppe-Reed says the work gives her employees a feeling
of accomplishment. “They want to do the work,” she says.
“They even ask to come in on their days off and work.”
CuteTools! began through an act of “serendipity,” KnoppeReed says. Despite having no formal art training, she started
painting colorful flowers and whimsical scenes on wooden
furniture, which sold from $200 to $300. A friend suggested
that Knoppe-Reed paint the handles of common household
tools – such as hammers and garden trowels – and sell them
for about $20, believing she would sell more tools than
furniture because the tools were less expensive.
Her idea has taken off beyond her wildest dream. KnoppeReed showed off the tools at a presentation in 2000 to a high
school special education class. The children were so excited
about CuteTools! that Knoppe-Reed included them in her
business plan and put them to work.
“The whole idea is to sell tools in order to employ more
people,” Knoppe-Reed says. “I’ve employed able-bodied
26
people with no work ethic. Yet these kids have an
extraordinary work ethic. They take ownership of their work,
and it shows.”
Knoppe-Reed was able to expand her business all the way
to Tokyo. She credits Wayne States University’s Robert
Erlandson, professor, electrical and computer engineering,
and his students for allowing her to take the company to a
global level. Erlandson’s students have designed job tools to
greatly assist people with disabilities in doing their jobs
more efficiently, improving Knoppe-Reed’s bottom line.
For example, as a class project, a group of Erlandson’s
students designed a special wood template that serves as a
guide to Knoppe-Reed’s workers packing the parts to
CuteTools! garden tool kits. The tool kits are shipped to
CuteTool! workshops around the world that Knoppe-Reed
has set up where local workers, also with special challenges,
assemble the parts into
finished products.
Erlandson’s passion
for helping people with
disabilities goes back
more than 20 years
when he worked at the
Rehabilitation Institute
of Michigan (RIM) in
Detroit. He worked next
to the occupational
therapy ward. “I saw
what was going on
there,” he says. “That
got me interested in
applying technology to
helping people with
disabilities.”
Erlandson developed
The Art For A Cause ribbon cutter
several robotic
designed by WSU students provides
rehabilitation devices,
uniform quality ribbons for packaging.
“We want them to believe
in themselves.”
Lisa Knoppe-Reed, Art For A Cause founder, supervising her
workers
including a robotic feeding device and a robotic exercise
partner for stroke victims.
In 1992, Erlandson established Wayne’s Enabling
Technologies Laboratory (ETL). Its purpose is to design and
develop technologies that enhance human capabilities and
potential with a special emphasis on people with
disabilities. The ETL combines community service,
education and research by working closely with teachers,
occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologists,
small business owners, as well as service agencies such as
Goodwill Industries and Jewish Vocational Services.
Erlandson has received two five-year National Science
Foundation student design grants, which specify that the
student design projects must serve the disabled community.
“This provides people the ways and means for them to
do the job,” Knoppe-Reed says. “That’s why we need
Wayne State so much.”
Depending on the season, Knoppe-Reed employs
between 20 and 45 employees. Knoppe-Reed hopes her
example can change the way others
conduct business. “Every tool sold
enables someone to have a job,” she
says. “The main objective is to get
people working ... This will let
other businesses know special
needs people are good workers.”
In November 2005, CuteTools!
were sold at 300 stores globally. As
of September 2006, they were sold
at 2,500 stores globally. But in
addition to her considerable success,
Knoppe-Reed says she finds the job
itself extremely rewarding. “I feel
like I haven’t worked a day since
Bob Erlandson
1998,” Knoppe-Reed says. “These
people don’t work for me; I work for
them.”
Kurt Anthony Krug, is a Wayne State English graduate
student, and Dearborn freelance writer.
2007 In Review
27
by Abhilash Pandya, assistant professor,
electrical and computer engineering
S
ince 1985, when a robot was used to
place a needle for a brain biopsy using
CT guidance, robotic surgery has developed
and advanced. It has been tried in many
types of surgical procedures, including
prostate cancer, hysterectomy, mitral valve
repair, and even coronary heart bypass.
For prostate cancer removal, health care professionals
are looking at the use of robots because the technology is
minimally invasive. Incisions are smaller, there is less risk
of infection, hospital stays are shorter, and recuperation
is reduced. A team of Smart Sensor and Integrated
Microsystem (SSIM) lab engineers and Children’s Hospital
of Michigan (CHM) surgeons are doing their part to
28
advance the technology, specifically in the key areas
of robotic vision, diagnostic sensors, and sensor fusion.
These advancements in robotic surgery are anticipated
to parallel the importance of imaging technology in
medicine today. The results will have a significant
influence in health care over the next decade.
At the SSIM laboratories, work has been going on for
more than a decade on unique sensors and applications
and about four years on sensors with robots. Sensors
of touch and temperature to enhance the surgeon’s
haptic sense, imaging sensors to heighten visualization,
and sensors for diagnostics are all being applied in
conjunction with robotic devices to improve the
surgeon’s effectiveness as well as that of patient care.
Currently, there are surgical robots at both the
research lab at SSIM and in the operating room. A
ZEUS robot surgical system used to perform surgeries at
Children’s Hospital is now used for research activities
in the lab and a da Vinci Surgical System has taken
its place in the operating room. The system is made
up of three components: a surgeon’s hand controls, a
patient-side robotic cart with four arms manipulated
by the surgeon, and a high-definition 3D vision system.
Surgical instruments are mounted on the robotic arms
and introduced into the body through cannulas.
Surgical robots already enhance surgeons’ skills by
filtering tremor and scaling motions, but it may also
be possible to automate certain routine tasks to free
surgeons to focus on higher-level tasks. With intelligent
interfaces, the robotic system could warn surgeons of
incorrect trajectories or even restrict the movements of the
surgery away from dangerous or critical areas to prevent
vessel penetration or critical tissue or nerve damage.
Even with significant technological gains, robotic
surgery is still in its infancy. There are some major areas
of technological improvement needed for it to reach its
ultimate potential, including better visualization, tactile
sensing, diagnostic sensing, intelligent software, and
miniaturization. The research lab at SSIM, ComputerAssisted Robot Enhanced Systems (CARES), is looking
into several research areas. Imagine if a surgeon sitting
at a robotic console could ask the system to determine
if the tissue at hand was tumorous or normal. SSIM
is developing a biosensor capable of this task and is
photo by Rick Bielaczyc
WSU Engineers And Children’s
Hospital Surgeons Take Health
Care Leaps Forward
Graduate assistant Lavie Golenberg is a researcher on the Smart
Sensor and Integrated Microsystem team advancing technology
in robotic vision, diagnostic sensors and sensor fusion.
merging it with advanced visualization techniques.
Raman spectroscopy is another method. It detects normal
and abnormal regions of tissue. Its near-real-time analysis
and the fact that it does not require sample preparation
make it highly suited for in vivo applica­tions. Image-guided
surgery helps the surgeon position and track instruments
(such as a Raman probe) inside the body, making it a natural
complement for Raman spectroscopy and robotic surgery.
A passive robotic device holds the Raman probe and once
the tissue being examined has been classified, information
regarding that point appears in the image-guided system.
Another area being explored is surgical task automation.
During surgery, the surgeon must frequently adjust the
camera to maintain the proper view for the task. One
consideration is tracking the head and eyes of the
surgeon and automatically moving the viewpoint
in tandem with the surgeon’s focus of vision. As
the surgeon moves his/her viewpoint around
on the screen, the system analyzes viewpoint
data and directs the robot holding the camera to
move to the optimal viewpoint. Currently, the
surgeon uses either voice commands or a foot
pedal to move the arm. This research will allow
seamless control of the camera, freeing the
surgeon to concentrate on higher level tasks.
Motion scaling is another area of research activities.
Motion scaling allows the surgeon to perform a micro­
surgery while making macro-type movements, and
it enhances the surgeon’s dexterity. Centimeters of
movements at the surgeon site can be controlled to
become millimeters of movement at the patient site.
However, the scale is typically set during operations
and not changed. Methods of tracking the movements
of the surgeon’s hand controllers are being explored
to develop the ability to make automatic and subtle
changes to the motion-scaling parameters during
surgery. If the surgeon makes large movements, for
example, the scale is increased to allow more refined
movements at the patient site. If the surgeon is
making tiny movements, the scale is increased to
allow more gross movements at the patient site.
Advances in robotic surgery will also accelerate the
use and improvements in telemedicine or telesurgery.
At present, most robotic surgery is performed by
surgeons at the location of surgery. Remote surgery
takes robotic surgery technology and combines it
with telecommuting advances, allowing surgeons
to be available to patients worldwide without the need
for the patient to travel beyond his/her local hospital.
Robot Nurses: One Answer To
The Nurse Shortage
Robots are not only being used in surgery, but also to
assist surgeons and nurses making rounds. And it is not
far-fetched to imagine they could assist surgeons with
tools in the operating room and take care of patients at
their bedside. In fact, there is already a fleet of robots
currently moving about the hallways at Children’s Hospital
helping doctors perform their rounds more efficiently.
InTouch Health Systems of Santa Barbara, Calif., created
the world’s first mobile remote presence robot for health
care. The robot is designed to enable health care assessment,
consultation and treatment by a doctor from a remote
location. With this system, the doctor uses a laptop
2007 In Review
29
Wayne State University College of Engineering
Making a difference through leadership, education and innovation
computer with specialized joysticks to remotely control
the robot and “virtually” treat patients. Patient records
are made readily available, and snapshots of wounds and
surgical sites can be taken for documentation. Patients can
be visited much more frequently and this type of robotic
interface will be more advanced in the near future to allow
for more complex tasks. It has the potential to be intelligent
enough to autonomously respond to patient needs.
In fact, a robotic nurse, called Nursebot, is already being
developed. Nursebot is a collaborative effort by Carnegie
Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh’s Nursing
Department, and the University of Michigan’s Computer
Science Department. The robot can remind patients when
to take their medication, transport patients to and from
locations, or transmit patient data to a nurse or doctor.
Current minimally invasive surgery is performed by long,
thin endoscopes, and laparoscopes are inserted into natural
or surgical orifices in the human body. However, they have
limited maneuverability and have limited access regions,
such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which cannot be
reached by these tools. An innovative project, a highly
articulated and modularly designed snake-like robotic
mechanism has been designed to improve the performance
of current minimally invasive surgical tools. The tool is
powered by pneumatics and is self-propelled by sequencing
the inflation and deflation of the balloon modules and
bellow modules to create inchworm like motions in the GI
tract. Applications are in the inspection of intestines,
diagnosis, biopsy, drug delivery, or chemical sampling with
specially designed end tools. The surgical tool, also known
as the inchworm robot, can be equipped with a fiber-optic
camera and inserted through a tiny incision; once it is
inserted, it can walk like an inchworm controlled by a
joystick.
Going even smaller in the micron range, imagine a
micro-structure that can interact with red blood cells.
Silicon micro-teeth that open and close like jaws have been
developed at Sandia National Laboratories. The micro-jaws
fit in a micro-channel several microns wide. When the jaws
close, they trap a red blood cell. The jaws can capture cells,
deform them, and release them. Then the blood cells travel
on, regain their former shape, and appear unharmed. This
group has shown it can create a micro-machine that
interacts at the scale of cells.
Can robots be built below the micron scale?
Nanotechnology can be defined as structures and
mechanisms that extend below nm in size. “In nature,
nano-scale structures and mechanisms are ubiquitous,”
stated Richard Feynman in his pioneering lecture on
nanotechnology. “Nature transforms inexpensive, abundant
and inanimate ingredients into self-repairing, self-aware
30
creatures that walk, wiggle, swim, sniff, see, think and
even dream.” He posed the question, “What could we
humans do if we could assemble the basic ingredients of
the material world with a glint of nature’s virtuosity?”
Nano - or micro-electro mechanical systems (NEMS or
MEMS) are truly multidisciplinary fields. They involve solidstate electrical engineers studying the electrical properties
of nanostructures, mechanical engineering studying
the physical properties of nanostructures, and genetic
engineers who have come up with methods to study very
important nano-machines existing in nature. What needs
to happen and is happening at Wayne State is a melding
of engineers and surgeons, of sensors and robots, and
medicine with technology. The results may seem beyond our
imagination, but they are coming sooner than you think.
R. Kannan, Professor,
King H. Yang, PhD,
Professor, Biomedical
Engineering
Director of the college’s
Bioengineering Center, an
international expert in automobile
crash safety and a pioneer in the
whole-body model.
Gene Liao, PhD,
Associate Professor,
Engineering
Technology Division
Team leader on hybrid and
plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Chemical Engineering and
Materials Science
Kenneth Chelst, Professor
Leads a nanotechnology group
pioneering the design of molecules for unique drug delivery
methods. He has the only engineering grant from the Perinatology Research Branch of the
National Institutes of Health.
Leads our global manufacturing
and executive engineering
management efforts, and is a
national expert on police and fire
response.
and Chair of Industrial and
Manufacturing Engineering
Pandya is a member of a team of collaborators involving SSIM
researchers and Children’s Hospital of Detroit. The others are:
Michael Klein, chief of surgery, Children’s Hospital; Alex
Cao, engineer, SSIM Computer Assisted Robot Enhanced System
(CARES) group; Darin Ellis, associate professor, industrial
and manufacturing engineering; and Greg Auner, professor,
electrical and computer engineering, and director of SSIM.
Abhilash Pandya earned his MS (University of
Michigan, 1986) and PhD (Wayne State University, 2004)
degrees in Bioengineering, specializing in modeling/
simulation, medical robotics and image guided surgery.
He has worked at the Johnson Space Center, Houston
(1988-1998) under various contracts for NASA’s flight
crew support division, developing immersive virtual/
augmented reality environments and robotics-related
projects. He later
worked at the
Neurosurgery
Department at
Harper Hospital
in Detroit from
1998 to 2004 as
a team leader
in research on
robotic and imageguided surgery
in the operating
room. Currently, he is an assistant professor of
electrical and computer engineering. Pandya’s research
interests are image-guided surgery, medical, space
and military robotics, virtual reality, augmented
reality, biosensors and human factors. He has
written more than 70 articles in these fields.
Professor, Mechanical
Engineering
Howard Matthew,
PhD, Professor, Chemical
Engineering and Materials
Science
One of the world’s foremost
experts on the measurement,
computer visualization
analysis and remediation of
unwanted acoustic noise in
vehicles and manufacturing.
Specializes in the development
of methods for the study and
manipulation of living tissues
and their cells, with the goal
of producing tissue repair or
bioartificial organ substitutes.
Sean Wu, Distinguished
Cheng-Zhong Xu,
Professor, Electrical and
Computer Engineering
In charge of our National
Science Foundation Center in
Advanced Computing.
The Wayne State University College of Engineering is a dynamic community
of scholars and researchers in which scientific discovery continuously
enriches the learning experience. And now, as a participant in Partners for
the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education, or PACE, we are
collaborating with General Motors and other leading industries to prepare the
highly skilled engineering, manufacturing and design workforce needed in
today’s competitive global marketplace. The college is committed to
advancing the frontiers of knowledge through research, and I
am pleased to introduce seven members of our faculty whose
work is transforming the lives of people in Michigan and
around the world.
Ralph Kummler, PhD, Dean
College of Engineering
ENG4crains.indd 1
www.eng.wayne.edu
9/17/07 11:08:57 AM
S
Budding EFngineers
Seek And Find Jobs
e at u r e
tories
Despite Dismal Michigan Economy
by Eric Czarnik
Contributing Writer
Ask an engineering student
what he or she wants
to do after graduation,
and you’ll probably hear
dreams about working at a
company that makes the
technology of tomorrow.
Engineers create new products,
inventions and designs. But are Wayne
State engineering students creating
careers in today’s Michigan economy
which is going through what seems
like the worst of times? The answer
depends on who you ask.
Seek and ye shall find
Some recent grads have managed to
find the job of their dreams without
much struggle. After completing
his bachelor’s degree in industrial
engineering in May, Kenneth Adams
took his job search to the Internet.
In late June, Ford Motor Co. offered
him a full-time job as part of a threeyear, post-college graduate program.
As an added bonus, Adams, 26,
of Macomb Township, won’t have
to move. The job is in Dearborn.
But he said he was willing to go
wherever there was work. He said
a keyword-loaded resume and
previous job experience set him
apart from the competition. Since
October 1999, he had worked at
MNP Corp. in Utica, a Tier One
supplier of automotive fasteners.
Previous job experience also
helped Alissa Catauro, 26, of
Windsor, Ont. Catauro, a May 2006
graduate in chemical engineering,
said she searched online at places
like Monster.com before finishing
school. She got several job offers
the following summer and then
joined DTE Energy as a performance
engineer in September 2006.
Daniel Thomas, ME Senior
Catauro said the job came as a result of doing co-op
work at DTE for more than two years. “They just created
that position for me,” she said. “I had an idea (they
would), but I was still very surprised I got the offer.”
Other graduates have taken non-engineering jobs to make
their way, some intending to, but all using their degree and
engineering school experience. Carlos Bizyk, 26, did office
work for awhile after he graduated with a bachelor’s degree
in electrical engineering in 2004. He looked but did not find
an engineering job in Michigan. “I noticed they’re looking
for a lot of experience,” Bizyk said. “With all these layoffs,
people with 10 to 15 years of experience are flooding the
market. That makes it harder for graduates to find a job.”
The Sterling Heights resident said he has looked on and
off during the past three years. So far, he has applied to
places within the state such as Bosch Group, Whirlpool
Corp. and the auto companies. In the meantime, Bizyk is
doing technician work and materials testing in a laboratory.
Despite “gloomy reports, perceptions and talk”
The news media continues to report troubling news about
the state’s economy, and a recent public opinion poll found
most Michiganders feeling dismal about things. A June
survey of 600 voters by The Detroit News/WXYZ-TV found 76
percent say the state is on the wrong track, and 70 percent
say the economy became worse in the past year. And they
don’t seem to expect better times soon either. Twenty
percent said they expect next year to be an improvement;
31 percent said they expect things to get even worse.
Despite gloomy perceptions about the economy, Wayne
State engineering graduates tend to find work shortly after
graduation, said Padmaja Rao, assistant director of Career
Services at Wayne State. A 2005-2006 WSU survey of 103
engineering grads found 92 percent of the respondents
were employed within six months after graduation. Rao
said the survey shows 73 percent of the respondents
found employment in Michigan. However, it should be
noted, she said, that the findings are not institutionally
representative because the responses were voluntary.
Small, mid-sized and large companies continue to be eager
to conduct campus interviews and meet with students from
many engineering specialties. (See accompanying sidebar.)
Entry-level jobs still exist for graduates who look in the right
places, said Douglas R. Allen, managing director of the Detroit
office of Boyden, an executive search firm. “I would say
there’s lots of work to be done in the automotive marketplace,”
he said. “The trick is to figure out who is going to do it.”
Allen said the market wants engineers who can work in
the automotive, health care, telecommunications and IT
industries. “If you just
read the newspapers, you
figure out what’s hot
in product design. It’s
energy, fuel economy
and alternative energy.”
Despite talk about
jobs leaving
Michigan, jobs
are coming in
And while there
is plenty of talk
about jobs leaving
Michigan, Allen said
GM recruiter Julius Reeves
jobs are also coming into
the state and providing new opportunities. Japanese
companies such as Toyota, Nissan and Honda are moving
their operations to Michigan to get at the local talent.
Chinese companies won’t be far behind, he added.
While Allen said the gloomy reports about Michigan’s
economy are based in reality, he believes that young engineers
have a role in the state’s economic turnaround. “That is why
they’re taking on engineering, to improve things,” he said.
Some WSU engineering students aren’t
waiting for someone to hire them. They’re
looking to create their own jobs by
starting their own engineering firms.
Julius Reeves, a Wayne State alumnus and lead recruiter
for GM, said the engineering job market is still “fairly good”
from a company standpoint, although some engineering
majors are in higher demand than others. This year Reeves
is looking for the same number of students as usual. This
is true even though some GM engineering jobs have left
Michigan for other states. “We’re still recruiting because
there’s still attrition,” Reeves said. “People are retiring
early, and more software development is going on.”
At GM, mechanical engineering is not as strong as it was in
the past, but software engineers and electrical engineers are
particularly needed, Reeves said. Besides the auto industry’s
need for alternative propulsion systems like hybrids and
fuel cells, the need for new equipment and devices in
the medical field makes it a hot market, too, he added.
continued on next page
32
2007 In Review
33
F e at u r e S t o r i e s
WSU J ob Fair Attr acts
Companies E ager To F ill
E ngineering Positions
Some WSU engineering students aren’t waiting for someone
to hire them. They’re creating their own jobs by starting their
own engineering firms. Senior Daniel Thomas is president of
the WSU chapter of Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization
(CEO), and is keen on starting his own business when he
graduated in December. CEO gives an alternative for certain
students tired of seeking work from an employer, said
Thomas. Entrepreneurship also can be an option for engineers
who want to reap the rewards of their own genius.
“Engineers basically sign all their rights away. As an
engineer, you work to create things. If you have your own
company, you get all the money that comes in from those
ideas.”
Thomas, 25, of West Bloomfield, is an advocate for
TechTown, a 12-block “entrepreneurial village” located just
north of campus. Through the support of risk-taking business
people, investors and corporations, TechTown tries to be an
incubator for small businesses and high-tech start-up
companies.
TechTown can help Michigan embrace a variety of hightech industries so the state can reduce its dependence on the
auto industry, said Thomas. ”I know a lot of people are
moving out of state. I’m trying to get people to realize all the
opportunities about TechTown.”
Thomas is not deterred by automotive layoffs that have
rocked the state, and hopes to stay and work in Detroit. “I
believe entrepreneurship is going to resurrect Detroit,” he said.
Steps toward success
For engineering graduates to get the job of their dreams,
career search experts say there are a few measures that can
produce results. Networking is key to finding unadvertised job
openings, said Joseph Boelter, a WSU chemical engineering
alumnus and president of the Northville-based Management
Recruiters of Plymouth. “Folks in certainly the last year or
two in engineering school should be networking constantly
through clubs, associations, summer jobs, trade shows (and)
conventions,” Boelter said. “Networking is still the number
one way to uncover the hidden job market.”
Reeves said graduates with top-notch grades are a step
ahead of the competition. Extracurricular activities and an
awareness of the global engineering environment also can
make job hopefuls stand out from the crowd. “If they can
take foreign languages or try to learn about other cultures,
that’s helpful for conference calls or traveling overseas.”
Eric Czarnik, a 2005 Wayne State journalism
graduate, is a Metro Detroit freelancer
34
GM recruiter Ron Harvey talking to a potential future recruit
D
espite a struggling Michigan economy, the Wayne
State University College of Engineering bustled
with company recruiters with many positions to
fill at the WSU Engineering Job Fair October 18.
Recruiters from companies including Ford, GM
and Chrysler are still coming to college campuses
because they have full-time jobs, internships and
co-op positions to offer, they said. Forty-one mostly
Michigan-based companies set up shop on all three
floors of the college for its annual Engineering Job Fair,
an increase of eight companies from last year’s job fair.
Ford is looking to fill manufacturing engineering
positions for its Powertrain North America operations
with graduating students in mechanical, industrial,
chemical and environmental engineering, said
Benny Wand, a Ford engineering supervisor in
powertrain operations. “We’re also looking for a
lot of IT (information technology) people.”
While Ford has experienced a major downsizing as part
of its “Way Forward” plan, the current open positions
are a result of plans
for new projects and
products as well as
attrition and employee
buy-outs, Wand said.
General Motors
recruiter Julius Reeves,
a team manager at GM
Strategic Initiatives,
said GM currently has
a broad range of open
positions, mostly for
engineers with some
experience. Currently,
GM is looking to fill
electrical, mechanical,
industrial, chemical
and civil engineering
positions. But the
company also has a need
for engineering technology students, said
Reeves, and is seeking undergraduate engineering
students for co-ops and internships.
“I think the job fair is really good because, for a lot of
students, it’s hard to get out and visit all these companies,
and it’s wonderful when the companies come to you,”
said Iniabasi Nkanga, an industrial engineering senior.
Nkanga has already been offered a full-time position with
Ford where she worked as an intern, but she talked to the
Ford recruiters anyway. “I did my internship there and
it was a wonderful experience. I just wanted to use this
opportunity to network with other departments in Ford.”
The CIA, DTE Energy, Halliburton, Pepsi Bottling Group,
Unisys, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, United States Navy,
Urban Science, Waldbridge Aldinger, and Yazaki were some
of the larger companies with recruiters at the job fair.
“We recruit people who are active students,” said Sgt. Dion
Byrd, a U.S. Marines recruiter at the job fair. He explained
that the Marines are looking for engineers as well as
students from other departments for various positions.
Kiewit Western, a construction contractor and mining
service company, participated this year for the first time at
Photo by Alonso del Arte
the job fair. Kiewit recruiter Robyn Wulfenkotter said her
company is offering internship and full-time positions for
civil engineers and in the construction management area.
Despite the dismal job news portrayed in the
press, interviews with recent graduates and recruiters
conducted by the college’s engineering magazine
EXEMPLAR paints a different picture. Some recent
graduates have managed to find the jobs of their
dreams without much struggle. Interviews and
surveys suggest most tend to find engineering work
shortly after graduation. Their experiences show
that Wayne State engineering students with their
co-op and internship experience give them an
edge in the job market. Networking is also key to
finding unadvertised job openings, experts agree.
Andrew Ricketts, a WSU mechanical engineering
student who graduated last May, came to the job fair
not to look for a job, but as a recruiter. Two days after
graduating, Ricketts landed a job he dreamed about since
high school, that of a boat designer. Now a project leader
for Baja Marine Corporation, of Bucyrus, Ohio, Ricketts
parked his 25-foot 247 Islander power boat in front of the
college, and set up his company display on the third floor.
Ricketts credits his co-op experience at Boesch for
landing his job. “If it wasn’t for the co-op, I wouldn’t
have this job,” he said. In his job interview, the manager
recognized his technical skills, but was also looking for
an engineer with people skills. “The people skills and
the management skills I got from the coop,” he said.
The advantage of the practical experience of
Wayne State engineering graduates is something the
recruiters often talk about. “Getting some practical job
experience in your field of study before you graduate
makes you very marketable,” said Ford recruiter
Wand, who is always impressed with Wayne State
engineering graduates. “The quality of the student
coming out of Wayne State is exceptional,” he said,
“from their technical background, with academics,
and their involvement with student organizations.”
by Justyna Konczalska, Engineering Public Affairs Writer
2007 In Review
35
F e at u r e S t o r i e s
An Alternative Solution to Energy Security
and Global Warming
by K. Y. Simon Ng and Steven O.
Salley, professors of chemical and
material science engineering
I
n his 2007 State of the Union speech,
President George Bush outlined the priorities
in energy policy: to reduce the nation’s
dependence on foreign oil and to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, he said
the nation must move towards energy security
by reducing US fuel usage by 20% in the next
10 years, and by accelerating the research and
development of alternative fuel sources.
Among alternative fuel sources, biomass conversion to
liquid fuel remains the most immediate and viable option
that can make the most impact. A recent study by the US
Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture to
assess the availability of biomass, concluded that the US
could produce 1.3 billion dry tons of biomass for biofuel
production without major changes in agricultural practices,
or affecting the demands for food, feed and exports.
Biomass is renewable and can serve as our sustainable
source of energy. However, the main technical
barriers for widespread use of biomass-based fuel are
the conversion efficiency of biomass to biofuel, and
a good understanding of the relationship between
fuel properties and engine performance to allow
the development of fuel quality standards.
The National Biofuels Energy Laboratory (NBEL) at
NextEnergy, funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE),
was created to address the synthesis, characterization and
performance evaluation of biodiesel and biodiesel blends.
NextEnergy, Inc. in Techtown, Wayne State engineering
reseachers, and other partners are creating a biodiesel
knowledge base to form a solid technical foundation
for the development of future fuels of this type.
36
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from
natural oils and fats (e.g., vegetable oils, recycled cooking
greases or oils and animal fats) that meets the specifications
of ASTM1 D 6751. It is composed of monoalkylesters of
long-chain fatty acids, produced by the transesterification
with alcohol of the above natural oils. Biodiesel is a DOEdesignated alternative fuel and is registered as a fuel and fuel
additive with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Biodiesel is nontoxic and biodegradable, and offers many
benefits over conventional petroleum diesel. Biodiesel
burns cleaner, with net emissions reductions in particulates,
hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide (and with zero-to-slight
increases in NOx). With its high energy balance of 3.2 to
1, biodiesel provides a beneficial 78 percent life cycle CO2
reduction. Biodiesel also possesses a high cetane number
(averaging more than 50) and improves petroleum diesel
cetane performance when blended. Because it is naturally
low in sulfur content, it also lowers sulfur emissions
when blended with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel blending
also imparts improved lubricity to petroleum diesel.
Because it is domestically produced, biodiesel shows
great potential
for reducing US
dependence on
foreign energy
supplies. Biodiesel
provides a “closed
economic loop”
because the
feedstock can be
grown locally, the
biodiesel can be
produced locally,
and the fuel can
be used locally.
A 60 kW Titan Sentry 5000 system will be
Furthermore,
developed to use multiple alternative fuels
it is evident
and fuel blends.
1
ASTM International, originally known as the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
that minimal-to-no infrastructure change is necessary
to implement widespread biodiesel use. Biodiesel blends
can be used in any diesel engine and can be transported
and stored using existing infrastructure. While there
has been an exponential growth in biodiesel production
in the United States in the last few years, biodiesel still
represents less than 1 percent of total diesel fuel used
in the United States in 2007. Thus, the diesel market
is wide open for quality bio-based diesel fuel.
While biodiesel shows such tremendous potential, there
are still unresolved challenges to its complete acceptance.
Among the top research priorities are: 1) fuel quality
and quality standards; 2) fuel stability; and 3) cold flow
properties. Moreover, there is an urgent need for a B-20
(20% blend of biodiesel with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD))
specification to provide a standard for fuel quality that is
acceptable to automotive and engine manufacturers.
The NBEL research consortium with Wayne State,
NextEnergy, Bosch, Delphi, DaimlerChysler, and Biodiesel
Industries (a biodiesel manufacturer that has just invested
in a 10 million tons/year production facility two blocks
from the Wayne State campus) was formed. Our overall
program objectives are to establish a sound technical basis
for biodiesel that will assist in setting the ASTM specification
for B-20, and to gain a comprehensive understanding of
composition-property-performance relationships for biofuels.
We aim to develop the next-generation of biodiesel with
acceptable performance, cold flow and stability properties.
The ASTM B-20 specification is a very important
issue for the biodiesel manufacturer, as well as for the
OEMs for the automotive industry. It is the mission of
the NBEL to translate the research findings into new
application and technology to increase the overall use
of biofuel, thus leading to better energy security for our
nation, while reducing green house gas emissions.
$2 Million Project To Develop
Synthetic Fuel Generator
Another alternative fuel project being conducted at the
NBEL is the development of bio- and synthetic-fueled
generator sets for energy and homeland security. This $2
million project is sponsored by the state of Michigan 21st
Century Job Fund and focuses on the development of
adaptive engine control strategies so that multiple fuels
can be optimized for use in mobile generator sets. The
partners in this project are NextEnergy, Titan Energy,
and the National Automotive Center of the US Army.
A secure and domestic fuel source is a top priority of the
US military. To address these concerns with fuel supply,
the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) has launched
The WSU National Biofuels Energy Lab team (left to right):
Nadia Abunasser, Haiying Tang, Huali Wang, Kapila Wadu
Mesthrige, Manhoe Kim, Kai Wang, Bradley Clark, Simon Ng,
Jeremiah Smith, Rhet de Guzman, and Steven Salley
an Assured Fuels Initiative. This initiative provides that
US energy independence can begin with a national
alternative fuel initiative to provide the US military
with a secure domestic supply of clean fuel synthesized
from domestic resources. This initiative will become the
springboard for America’s renewable and synthetic fuels
industry, capable of assuring that not only our military,
but also the US Department of Homeland Security and,
indeed, our nation, has the liquid fuels needed for the
transportation of people and goods throughout the country.
In this project, the objectives are to develop a good
understanding and detailed characterization on how the
chemical and physical properties of different types of fuel
(JP-8, synthetic fuel and biodiesel) affect cetane number, heat
of combustion, oxidative and storage stability and lubricity.
Another objective is to optimize engine control strategies
and to develop new adaptive controlling techniques; and to
conduct long-term performance studies using NextEnergy’s
power pavilion and alternative energy platform. We hope
our research findings will translate into a new-generation
system that can operate on multiple types of alternative
fuels for the military and disaster relief organizations.
The challenges presented by global warming, as well as
outside threats prompting the need to fortify our defense,
have presented us with an opportunity to embark on
technological efforts that will have a tremendous positive
impact on the quality of our environment and our ability
to reduce the affect of natural disasters. As researchers,
we are excited about taking on the challenge. q
2007 In Review
37
F a c u lt y /S taff B r i e f s
Greg Auner, director of the College of Engineering’s
Smart Sensor and Integrated Microsystems (SSIM) lab, has
been selected an “Everyday Hero” by the RARE Foundation.
“SSIM projects are about trying to find solutions to critical,
real-world problems such as delicate fetal and infant
surgeries, early diagnosis and
treatment of diseases such
as Parkinson’s, and auditory
and visual implants to restore
failing eyesight and hearing
loss in people with hearing
and visual impairments.”
The RARE (Recognizing
Achievement Rewarding
Excellence) Foundation,
located in Troy, engages
youth through the process
of discussion, discovery and
writing about the everyday
Greg Auner (right) with
heroes in their communities.
Allan Hibbet, executive
director of RARE
Ralph H. Kummler,
dean of the college, was awarded the Outstanding
Committee or Council Leadership Award, for outstanding
committee work by members of an ESD committee
or council, at the 2007 ESD Annual Dinner, June 21.
Steven Salley, former dean of academic affairs for
the college and associate dean of the Graduate School
since 2002, has been appointed Interim Associate Provost
and Dean of the Graduate School. He will continue his
role as WSU principle investigator of the NSF-sponsored
Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate
(AGEP), and responsible for program review.
Ronald F. Gibson, professor of mechanical engineering,
has authored a new book, Principles of Composite Material
Mechanics, published last spring by the CRC Press.
Gerald Thompkins, associate dean, student affairs, and
a commander in the US Navy Reserve, was awarded the
Navy’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his work
in the community for the past three decades. The award is
given to members of the US armed forces deserving special
recognition for exceptional community support and activities.
Tapan Datta, director of
Transportation Research Group
(TRG), was selected by the
Michigan Society of Professional
Engineers to receive its Individual
Engineering Excellence Award
for 2007. The prestigious
award is in recognition of
Data’s “outstanding leadership,
achievements, and contributions
to engineering, professionalism
and MSPE.” The Governor’s Traffic
Safety Advisory Commission
also selected Datta and TRG
Tapan Datta
for its traffic safety award,
recognizing the Drive Safely to Wayne State Campaign. The
college and the Transportation Research Group launched the
first annual “Drive Safely to WSU” in 2004 in parallel with
“Drive Safely to Work Week” to become the first college in
Michigan to do so. Finally, Datta was chosen the 2007 winner
of the college’s Excellence in Teaching Award, along with Ece
Yaprak, associate professor of engineering technology.
Bryce Grevemeyer and Mulchand S. Rathod
were recipients of the 2007 Engineering Technology
Excellence in Teaching Awards. The award honors
faculty whose excellence in academia is reflected in their
teaching and unique contributions to education.
Congratulations to Pat Kosmyna, advisor, engineering
technology, for 40 years of service; Gary Zaddach, director
of business operations, for 35 years of service; and King
Hay Yang, director of the Bioengineering Research Center,
for 25 years of service, who received WSU service awards
at the 2007 Employee Recognition Program held in April.
Thanks and best wishes to Alan Whitman, professor of
mechanical engineering, and John Rather, professor of
physics and SSIM collaborator, on their retirement
Yang Zhao, professor and
chair of electrical and computer
engineering, has been elected to
Fellow status by the Engineering
Society of Detroit, the oldest
and largest multi-disciplinary
engineering society in the
nation. Zhao also serves on the
Publication Committee of ESD.
Mumtaz Usmen Appointed Research Dean
The college congratulates Mumtaz Usmen,
chairman of the Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department for the past 18 years, who has been named
the college’s new associate dean of research.
Usmen replaces Snehamay Khasnabis, professor of civil
and environmental engineering, who recently returned to his
faculty position after serving as dean of research since 2001.
Usmen has led a reputable civil engineering department
actively involved in civil engineering projects throughout the
region as well as in developing well-qualified civil engineers.
He has also been an active researcher in his specialty of
construction engineering and management with a focus on site
safety, quality, ethics leadership, and organizational movement.
Usmen has been active professionally by serving on a
variety of national, state and
local committees of technical
and professional societies. He
is a member of the House of
Delegates of the National Society
of Professional Engineers (NSPE),
chairman of the PEHE Division
of NSPE, past president of the
Detroit Chapter of the Michigan
Society of Professional Engineers
(MSPE), past state president of
MSPE, and a fellow of MSPE.
Usmen has received
numerous academic
and professional recognitions, including seven awards
for university teaching excellence, MSPE’s Outstanding
Engineering in Education and Engineer of the Year awards,
and the Engineering Society of Detroit’s Outstanding Council/
Committee Leadership and Distinguished Service Awards.
He received his PhD from West Virginia University
in 1977, master’s of science from Cal State UniversityLong Beach, (Calif.) in 1972, and bachelor’s of science
from Robert College (Istanbul, Turkey) in 1970.
Mumtaz Usmen has been named a fellow member of the
National Society of Professional Engineers. The Council of
Fellows Executive Committee selected 28 nominees in 2007 to
honor those active NSPE members who have demonstrated
exemplary service to the profession, the Society and the
community. Usmen also conducted for a third year this past
fall a three-day course in professionalism, ethics and leadership
for undergraduate civil engineering students at Universidad
de Castilla-La Mancha in Ciudad Real, Spain. The students
were selected among engineering schools throughout Spain.
Carol Miller to Head WSU Civil and
Environmental Engineering
The college salutes Carol Miller, a member of the
engineering faculty since 1984, as the new chair of the Civil
and Environmental Engineering Department.
Miller replaces long-term
chair Mumtaz Usmen, who
was recently appointed
associate dean of research.
“Dr. Miller brings a wealth
of teaching and practical
field experience to her new
position,” said Dean Ralph
Kummler. “We are delighted
she has agreed to lead the
department.”
Miller, a specialist in
environmental/hydraulic
engineering, is the recipient
of the 2006 Michigan
Society of Professional
Engineers “Engineer of the Year Award.” As a private
consultant, she has been active in various river hydraulics
projects and contaminant remediation projects. Her research
has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the
American Water Works Association, and the EPA, among
others. Her graduates have assumed academic positions
nationally (California Polytechnic University, Notre Dame)
and internationally (University of Seoul), as well as many who
remain in the local engineering community.
Miller obtained her PhD, master’s and bachelor’s degrees,
all in civil engineering, and all from the University of
Michigan. She joined the WSU engineering faculty as an
assistant professor in 1984, and became a full professor in
1998.
Miller’s family has long ties with Wayne State starting with
her grandfather, Walter G. Pomering, who taught art classes
at Wayne in the 1930s. Her father, Don A. Pomering, taught
in the Electrical Engineering Department in the 1950s, while
her mother, Shirley Stevens, was a pre-med student at the
university in the 1940s.
Yang Zhao
38
2007 In Review
39
Tr a n s i t i o n s
James Facen, Beloved WSU And
College Administrator, 74
Milton Koenig, Conscientious Teacher,
Experienced Practitioner, 79
The college extends its heartfelt sympathy to family and friends
of James Facen, former assistant dean of academic affairs at the
College of Engineering, who died suddenly May 16. He was 74.
Facen suffered from emphysema,
but his death came suddenly,
family members said.
Facen, who earned his PhD in
Education from Wayne State, was
also an assistant provost of the
university at one time. Before working
in the College of Engineering, he
was employed by the student
services program where he
assisted handicapped students.
Former Dean Stanley Stynes
described Facen as a good
friend and a very caring and helping colleague. “In
addition to being general advisor to our students, he
provided support for student organizations and helped to
develop the Black Engineering program. He was absolutely
wonderful in his concern for and his help to students.”
James McMicking, professor emeritus of chemical
engineering, said of Facen, “We went undergrad at
Wayne State together. He was a very gentle person and
I knew him the best when he was the assistant dean.”
Snehamay Khasnabas, professor of civil and environmental
engineering, was chair of civil engineering when he knew
Facen best. “He was very supportive of students. He was
somebody they could come to and seek his counsel.”
James Edward Facen, Sr., was born on March 9, 1933
in Macon, Miss. He attended Detroit public schools and
graduated from Chadsey High School as an honor student.
He attended Wayne University and earned a bachelor’s
of science degree in Occupational Therapy in 1956, and
a master’s (1976) and doctorate (1988) in Education.
Facen worked for 11 years at the Veteran’s Administration
Hospital in Ann Arbor. In 1970, he joined the faculty at
Wayne State. He served as director of minority student
programs at the College of Engineering, was later promoted
to assistant dean, and eventually served as the university
assistant provost for minority faculty recruitment. After
his retirement, he continued to teach a required General
Education course for first-year students named UGE 100.
Facen is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Frances,
children Hope Facen-Berry, Sherry White (Keith) and
Lance Facen, sister Sadie Johnson, brother in-law Sessions
Harlan, three grandchildren and many family and friends.
Another son, James Facen II, preceded him in death.
The college extends its heartfelt sympathy to family, friends
and colleagues of Milton Gene Koenig, honored professor
emeritus of the Mechanical Engineering Department, who
died April 7 from complications of pneumonia. He was 79.
Koenig taught mechanical systems from his first appointment
as instructor in 1956 to his retirement in 1989. He also served as
director of Undergraduate Studies for the department from 1978
and was director of Laboratories since 1986. He was awarded the
Arthur Raymond Carr Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1964.
“I’ve known him very well,” said Naeim Henein, professor
of mechanical engineering, who worked with Koenig for 19
years. “He was one of the most conscientious professors I’ve
ever met. He was very knowledgeable in his area, careful
about teaching, instructions, the welfare of his students,
and was willing to help any colleague or student.”
Koenig was born August 23, 1927, in Moberly, Mo. and
raised in Detroit. He graduated in 1945 from Cooley High
School and served in the 5th Army, 6th Armored Division from
1952 to 1954. He graduated with a bachelor’s in mechanical
engineering in 1956 and master’s in 1957, both from Wayne
State. He was appointed an instructor in 1956 and promoted
to associate professor and achieved tenure in 1962.
“Professors in his day were very experienced practitioners,” said
Stan Stynes, former dean of the college. “They spent summers
working at jobs in industry, then came back to the classrooms
and passed on their experience. Milt was a good example of this.”
In addition to his work in industry, Koenig built a consulting
business working with litigators based
on his expertise in mechanical systems.
“In a career at Wayne State
spanning 32 years, Koenig
made enormous contributions
to the Mechanical Engineering
Department and all activities related
to instructional programs and
laboratory work,” said Kenneth
Kline, former chair of the department
at Koenig’s retirement in 1989.
Koenig is survived by his wife
of 50 years, Diana, and their
three children, son Matthew with wife Rachel and their
children, Tyler, Shawnee and Kaelyn; daughter Lesley with
husband John and their children Logan and Maguire; and son
Christopher with wife Tamara and their daughter Heather;
together with their extended families and close friends.
A memorial service was held April 12 at O’BrienSullivan Funeral Home in Novi. He was buried
at Northville’s Rural Hill Cemetery.
40
Alice Lietz, Devoted Student Adviser, 70
The College of Engineering extends its heartfelt
sympathy to the family of Alice J. Thomas
Lietz, a graduate student advisor at the college
who worked ceaselessly to serve her students.
Alice (“A.J.”) Lietz, of Harper
Woods, died July 23, 2006 after
a long illness. She was 70.
Leitz held a bachelor’s degree
in political science and master’s
in education from Wayne State
where she worked for more
than 25 years, including her
most recent position as graduate
advisor to engineering students.
She was highly regarded
by the staff, faculty and
students for whom she showed
the utmost devotion. Countless students sought her
counsel, even some who were enrolled in other programs
because it became known that she was always willing
to help and find a way to get things done for them.
“The students at Wayne State more than anything
else motivated A.J. to continue working when she was
ill,” said D’Arcy Moffitt, Lietz’ only daughter. “It was all
about the students, and I know the feeling was mutual.”
Besides counseling, Lietz taught a course
for entering freshmen to help prepare them
for college studies and campus life.
Lietz is survived by her husband, Karl; daughter
D’Arcy Moffitt (Charles) and stepson C.J.; brothers,
Albert (Jerry) and George (Betty), and her late
sister, Corrine Davenport (the late William).
A funeral was held July 26, 2006 in Grosse Pointe Woods
followed by her burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Detroit.
Patricia Sheehy, Electrical Engineering
Secretary, 75
The College of Engineering extends its heartfelt
sympathy to family and friends of Patricia Ruth Sheehy,
former long-time electrical and computer engineering
secretary, who died March 11, 2007. She was 75.
Sheehy joined the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Department staff in 1954, and served as administrative
department secretary, mostly in the Department of Electrical
Engineering, over a period of 44 years until she retired in 1998.
She is survived by her brother Robert Sheehy.
Former CEE Professor Takes On
New Job As Chair At WMU
After more than 26 years on the engineering
faculty, Haluk Aktan, former professor of civil and
environmental engineering, has started his new job
as chair of the Civil and Construction Engineering
Department at the University of Western Michigan.
Aktan left Wayne State in December 2006 because of an
opportunity to establish and grow a new civil engineering
program, he said. “This is a new program where I have
control over the quality of students entering the program,”
he added. Aktan assumed his new position last January.
A structural engineering expert, Aktan mentored many
students who are now industry leaders in the metro
Detroit area. Ten of his PhD
students are from all over the
world, from Korea to Egypt.
“Dr. Aktan is a highly respected
teacher and a very strong
researcher who brought our
institution excellent visibility and
recognition,” said Mumtaz Usmen,
associate dean of research.
Aktan said he enjoyed his time
at Wayne State. “I made lifelong
friends and I worked with people
from all over the university.”
Academic Counselor Retires
After 40 years of service to Wayne State University,
Patricia Kosmyna, an academic counselor for the
Division of Engineering Technology (ET), retired last
spring. Pat began working at the university in 1967 when
she was hired as an office assistant in biochemistry at the
School of Medicine. Two years later, she performed office
tasks as a member of the College of Engineering Dean’s
staff. From 1975 to 1994 she served as a higher level
office assistant, and was later promoted to administrative
assistant for ET. Pat earned a bachelor’s in criminal justice
(1986), and a master’s in guidance and counseling (1993),
both from Wayne State. As a professional counselor, Pat
served as ET’s academic service officer from 1994 to
her retirement. She resides in Dearborn Heights.
2007 In Review
41
N e w F a c u lt y
St u d e n t B r i e f s
Leading By Example…
The college welcomes
Peter Savolainen, assistant
professor, Department of Civil
and Environmental Engineering.
Assistant Professor Savolainen
joined the faculty in August
2006 from Purdue University
where he earned his PhD
(2006) and master’s (2004)
degrees in civil engineering
and was a graduate student
instructor and researcher. Prior
to his time at Purdue, the Negaunee, Michigan native
earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from
Michigan Technological University (2002). His primary
research area is transportation safety and he is currently
involved in projects focused on utility work zone safety and
mobility, the effectiveness of an emergency vehicle alert
system, and statewide safety belt usage. Assistant Professor
Savolainen currently teaches courses on transportation
engineering, highway safety and risk management, and
civil engineering research methods. In addition, he
currently serves as a member of the Transportation
Research Board Motorcycles and Mopeds Committee,
the Michigan Crash Data Users Group, and the Michigan
Motorcycle Action Team. Assistant Professor Savolainen
resides in Huntington Woods with his fiancée, Alicia Jenner.
The college welcomes
Weiping Ren, assistant
professor, Department of
Biomedical Engineering.
Assistant Professor Ren, who
joined the faculty in January
2007, received his medical
degree from Shanghai Second
Medical University in China,
and PhD in Biochemistry
from Yamagata University,
Japan. He is the recipient of
a NIH-NCI Cancer Center Oncology Research Faculty
Development Award. He spent four years studying
molecular mechanism in cancer biology as a research
assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedic
Surgery. Assistant Professor Ren has conducted research
projects on the molecular mechanism of implant loosening.
His funded projects included both the basic research
(angiogenesis) and a clinical trial of implant loosening
treatment using an anti-osteoclastogenesis drug.
42
The college welcomes Tim
Gates, assistant professor, civil
and environmental engineering,
who joined the faculty this
past fall. Assistant Professor
Gates earned his PhD from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison
in 2007, and his master’s and
bachelor’s from Michigan State
University in 2000 and 1999. He
was an associate researcher at
the Texas Transportation Institute
at College Station. Assistant Professor Gates developed a
process to predict red-light-running vehicles at signalized
intersections and subsequently extended the all-red-clearance
interval to ensure sufficient clearing time for the errant
driver. He resides in Northville with his wife, Deanna.
The college welcomes Wen L.
Li, associate professor, mechanical
engineering, who joined the
faculty in 2007. Associate Professor
Li comes from Mississippi
State University where he was
associate professor of mechanical
engineering. Associate Professor
Li earned his PhD from the
University of Kentucky, Lexington,
in 1991, his master’s in vehicle
engineering from Beijing Institute
of Technology (1984) and bachelor’s in physics from Liaoning
Teachers University in 1982. He was principal engineer for
United Technologies Research Center in Hartford, Conn.
from 2002 to 2004. He was senior staff engineer at Carrier
Corporation from 1995 through 2001. And he was a research
specialist at Case Corporation in Burr Ridge, Ill. from 1992
to 1995. Associate Professor Li’s area of expertise is acoustics,
structural dynamics, passive and active noise and vibrations
control, fault detection and system identification, signal
processing techniques, biomechanics and bioacoustics.
Civil engineering undergrad
Mollie Wimsatt was selected
to receive the 2007 ESD
Outstanding Student of the
Year Scholarship Award. The
scholarship is awarded each year
by ESD to one undergraduate
student and ESD member
with outstanding achievement
who has distinguished him
or herself in the engineering
and scientific community.
Wimsatt helped create a
new program called Civil
Engineering Conversations where students, faculty and industry
friends discuss various professional issues at a mutual lunch or
dinner. She helped organize an ethics panel last year bringing
three participating engineers to campus to answer students’
questions, followed by an in-depth discussion. She was active
with the ASCE student chapter and Chi epsilon, holding
important offices in both. Wimsatt’s has a bachelor’s degree
from the University of Michigan in natural resources, and is
interested in pursuing a career in environmental engineering
with a concentration in the environmental discipline.
Chemical engineering
graduate student Cristina
Pilosa co-chaired the
PhD Research Session of
an international chemical
engineering sustainability
forum held in September at
South China University of
Technology in Guangzhao,
China. The forum, the first
of its kind in Asia, attracted
more than 400 researchers,
scientists and practitioners
from throughout the
world to discuss the advancement of product and process
engineering through the effective integration of sustainability.
Hasan Aatif, an undergraduate studying electrical and
computer engineering and an active WSU IEEE committee
member, received the Most Outstanding Student Award from
the IEEE southeastern conference. The WSU student chapter
of IEEE was nominated for the best and most involved
branch in the entire IEEE southeastern Michigan section.
Mark Nasr,
who graduated in
civil engineering
last May, was
honored April 17
with a WSU David
Mackenzie Award
from the David
Mackenzie Honor
Society. Nasr was
among 16 students
selected for the
Mark Nasr, Mackenzie Award Winner,
“Class of 2007”. The with President Reid
Society elects to its
membership “outstanding students whose unselfish service
on behalf of the university has materially contributed to its
increasing institutional greatness.” Nasr graduated magna
cum laude at the top of his civil engineering class and served
two terms as president of the Engineering Student Faculty
Board, the governing student organization for the college.
Sabyasachee Misra, a PhD student working with Snehamay
Khasnabas, professor of civil engineering, was awarded a $2,000
scholarship from the Michigan Institute of Transportation
Engineers for the year 2006. The award is given annually to
four students from Michigan universities on a competitive basis
based on the student’s academic performance, leadership,
professional activities and a brief essay on transportation.
Jie Xiao, a PhD
student in chemical
engineering, is
the recipient
of the 2006
American Institute
of Chemical
Engineering
(AICHE) Process
Development
Division Student
Paper Award. The
Jie Xiao (right)
paper, “Ant Colony
System-Based
Dynamic Optimization for Reactive Drying of Polymeric Coating,”
was published early in 2006 by AICHE Journal, a top journal
in chemical engineering. The award is “probably the first time
in our department that a graduate student’s regular journal
paper was recognized by an AICHE division,” said Yinlun Huang,
professor of chemical engineering and Xiao’s PhD adviser.
2007 In Review
43
St u d e n t B r i e f s
Recent mechanical engineering graduate Steve Znoy
excelled both as a student with a cumulative GPA
of 3.47, and as a varsity athlete on the Wayne State
fencing team. He worked full-time in summer and
part-time last fall and winter semesters as a co-op
student at American Axle, an automotive supplier.
Znoy received the Dean’s Award from the Department of
Athletics for the highest cumulative GPA for a student athlete
in engineering. His classmates on the Engineering Student
Faculty Board awarded him with a community service award.
Znoy was introduced to fencing as a very young
boy when sparring in the basement of his home with
his father, a Wayne State alumnus who earned three
letters in fencing from 1975 to 1977. He was eight years
old when he started fencing foil at the Renaissance
Fencing Club in Ferndale. Znoy quit fencing at the age
of 12 and did not return until taking up epee on the
Wayne State squad in his third college year in 2004.
Last season, Znoy placed 16th at the NCAA Midwest
Regional, finished 31st at the Midwest Fencing Conference
Championship and helped the men’s epee squad to a
second-place finish. “Fencing helped to relieve the stress
of my academic responsibilities and I enjoyed every minute
on the team,” said Znoy, who was also a member of the
chapter of Theta Tau, a national engineering fraternity.
Znoy planned to enroll for a graduate program in
engineering or engineering management at Wayne State. “I
want to stay in Michigan, since my family is here,” said Znoy.
PhD Fast Track
In 2001, Waqas Khalid came to Wayne State University from
Pakistan determined to finish school quickly. And he did. He
graduated cum laude, earning his bachelor’s in only two and
a half years. One year later he received his master’s. He
needed only two more years for his PhD which he earned last
spring.
“Since I was a kid, I liked researching and engineering,” said
the 24-year old. “I always wanted to become an engineer.”
Khalid
decided to
study at Wayne
after hearing
about his
neighbor’s son,
an engineering
student at
WSU. “I came
alone and
didn’t know
anyone, not even my neighbor’s son,” said Khalid. His first
roommate picked him up at the airport and introduced him
to the school system and campus. “He really helped me a lot.”
Khalid focused on school and asked for special permission
to take 24 to 26 credits per semester. In his second semester,
he started working at the Undergraduate Library and helping
his advisor Yong Xu., professor of electrical and computer
engineering, conducting research on bio sensors based on
polymers, and working on an electrostatic actuator for a lab
or chip device.
Today, Khalid, whose father is a mechanical engineer, lives
with his 23-year-old brother Umer Khalid, who is finishing his
Ph.D. at Wayne. Umer is on track to complete his PhD in six
years.
Khalid remembers his first year when he lived for the first
time alone. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what to
expect.” Today he is well-known on campus. Khalid ran for
the King of International Students in 2005, losing by one
vote. The same year he also ran for student council.
Khalid is now looking for a job in the industrial sector and
would like to work one day for IBM or NASA. “I am flexible
and open for changes,” he said.
Stories by Justyna Konczalska,
Engineering Public Affairs Writer
44
Order of the Engineer/POET
Sixty-five December engineering graduates, both
undergrad and grad students, were inducted into the
professional Orders of the Engineer and Engineering
Technology at special ceremonies at Wayne State’s General
Lectures Hall, May 12. Dean Ralph Kummler, associate
deans, and department chairs officiated, with some 340
relatives, friends, faculty and staff witnessing the event.
photos by Alonso del Arte
WSU Athlete Makes Good In Both
Engineering Studies And Fencing
Professor Mulchand Rathod congratulates new POET inductee and
Engineering Technology graduate.
WSU Bioengineering Students Lead
Stapp Conference Poster Sessions
Bioengineering faculty and graduate researchers as usual
participated in force at the top auto safety conference held last
November in Dearborn. Wayne State graduate students took
first and third place student paper awards at the International
Stapp Car Crash Conference. The conference, co-chaired by
Wayne State alumni Harold Mertz and Priya Prasad, is the
premier forum for presentation of auto safety research. Anita
Singh and her team (Professor John Cavanaugh adviser) took
Best Paper Award and $1,500 for her work, “A New Model
of Traumatic Axonal Injury to Determine the Effects of Strain
and Displacement Rates.” Chirag Shah (Professor King Hay
Yang, adviser), took Third Place honors and $500 for the paper,
“Dynamic Biaxial Tissue Properties of the Human Cadaver
Aorta.” Wayne State leads all participants with contributions
of 34 percent of all papers presented at Stapp Conferences.
The University of Virginia is second with 14 percent, and
the University of Michigan is third with 12 percent.
Graduates proudly
presenting their ring,
signifying their entry into
the engineering profession
2007 In Review
45
Reflections
In 1936, Jack Morton
(BSEE’35) landed at
Bell Labs by chance,
the next leg of his
Path To
Discovery
EXEMPLAR welcomes information from friends, relatives and
others who knew Jack Morton to share their stories. We believe there is
much more about this remarkable man that has been left unsaid. We hope
to collect this information for a sequel in future publications. Send
your comments, stories, photos to [email protected] or visit
www.eng.wayne.edu for updates to the Jack Morton story. - editor
Jack A. Morton was headed for a
career in academia when he graduated
from Wayne University with a bachelor’s
degree in electrical engineering in
1935, but a chance meeting with a Bell
Labs research director landed him a
job at the telephone research facility.
In his 35-year career, the former WSU
Tartar football player and engineering alum
pioneered the development of the transistor
at Bell Labs, but a Dec. 2006 IEEE Spectrum
magazine article by Michael Riordan explores
his role in Bell Labs’ failure to pursue the
subsequent development of the microchip,
SU Photo
te sy of W
photo cour ter Reuther Librar y
one of its most costly errors in judgment.
al
Archives W
Morton’s first years at Bell Labs was devoted
to developing microwave technology. His advancements in
the field extended the range of World War II era radar, which
gave allied forces an edge in the Pacific theater. After the
war, Morton developed a small microwave vacuum tube
that was used in telephone relay towers for years to come.
In 1948, he was put in charge of the development of the
transistor, at the time a guarded secret. The transistor had been
invented at Bell Labs a year prior. The technology would
become a fundamental part
of modern electronics, but
its commercial applications
were still unknown at the
time. Morton developed
the experimental device
into a commercially viable
product. His team continued
to improve the technology, and
Morton was responsible for
the critical decision to switch
to silicon-based technology.
“It was revolutionary,” says Greg
Auner, professor of electrical and
computer engineering, and director
of the Smart Sensors and Integrated
Microsystems lab at the college. “It
&T
te sy of AT
was the genesis of all electronics.”
photo cour History Center
d
Archives an
The microchip was a logical progression
of Bell Labs’ research into transistors.
“The microchip is basically a series of discrete devices,”
said Auner. “The core technology is the transistor.”
But Bell Labs stopped short of developing the
microchip. Morton believed the technology had no
large-scale commercial application, especially in the
telecommunications industry. He believed microchips
would have a high failure rate due to the number of
photo courte sy
photo (left): Courtesy AT&T Archives and History Center
devices on a single chip. But by the 1970s, it had
become clear these worries were unwarranted,
and AT&T, affiliated with Bell Labs, had
lagged behind in microchip development.
Morton believed the technology was terminally
limited by problems that turned out to be shortterm, said Auner. “The technologies weren’t
immediately available,” he said. “So his
conclusion was that he just couldn’t do it.”
But in spite of his opposition to pursuing
microchip technology, Morton’s reputation was
still intact by the time of
his death in 1971.
On Dec. 10,
firefighters found
Morton’s body in
the back seat of a
car that had been lit
on fire. He had been
beaten unconscious
and stuffed in the car
after being targeted
in a late-night robbery.
Henry Molka and
Freddie Cisson were
convicted in the murder.
photo courte sy
It was a sudden and
of WSU Photo
Archives Walter
Reuther Librar y
tragic ending to the
life of a most successful
engineer, husband, and father of two children.
Morton held 24 patents alone and jointly with
co-inventers at the time of his death. He was a
member of several professional organizations,
received a number of awards, and wrote
numerous published articles and a book. The IEEE
established the Jack A. Morton Award to honor
outstanding contributions in solid-state devices.
He was awarded an honary doctor of
science from Wayne State in 1956, and he was
elected a member of the
National Academy of
Engineering in 1967. q
of AT&T Archives
by Elliot Njus,
Engineering Public Affairs
Summer Intern
and Histor y Cente
r
2007 In Review
47
Ph oto Ga l l ery
Math teachers gathered at the college
last summer for a workshop on a
new fourth-year high school math
curriculum developed by Industrial
Engineering Professor Ken Chelst and
Professor of Education Tom Edwards.
“MINDSET” modules enlist principles from
industrial engineering and operations
research that makes math relevant,
comprehendible, and engaging.
The Smart Sensors and Integrated Microsystems lab is a popular
tour at the college. Debbie Dingell (WSU Board of Govenor
member), alum James Kosakowski, Sen. Carl Levin and State
Rep. John Espinoza were among those taking tour in 2007.
Mahmoud El-Gamal (left), a civil and environmental
engineering adjunct professor, served as the
college’s recruiter at a job fair at the Marriott
Hotel in Cairo, Egypt and the American Center in
Alexandria. El Gamal estimated that more than
1,000 students stopped by his WSU table.
Manouch Daneshvar (far right), vice president of Marysville Hydrocarbons,
led Professor Ming-Chia Lai’s (far left) alternative energy technology class
on a tour of the company’s ethanol processing plant opened in 2007 in
Marysville in St. Clair County. College Development Director Kathleen
Russeau (second left), Dean Ralph Kummler (center with green shirt), and
Chemical Engineering Chair Charles Manke accompanied the students.
President Reid and Li Qiang, president of Hebei University
of Science and Technology in China, stand at the fulcrum of
representatives from both universities, gathered after the signing
of a memorandum of understanding laying the groundwork for
more Chinese students to study engineering at Wayne State.
The Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit visited the
college in March for what has become an annual
visit. They were hosted by the WSU student
chapter of the Society of Women Engineers.
WSU Provost Nancy Barrett and Anand Verghese, director
of Hinduston Group Institutions (HGI) in Chennai, India,
hold up freshly signed agreement between HGI and WSU,
facilitating exchange of engineering faculty and students.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm poses with members of the WSU
National Biofuels Energy Lab Team on a tour of NextEnergy
last May with former President Bill Clinton.
Auto journalist John McElroy was
the keynote speaker at the IME
Auto Symposium last May.
48
2007 In Review
49
Night of the Stars 2006
Hall Of Fame Inductees
Cel­e­bra­ting and Honoring Achieve­ment
2006 Awardees – Friday, October 27,
Detroit Science Center, Detroit, Michigan
Photos by Mary Jane Murawka
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Socius Collegii
Marvin I. Danto
Founder, Danto Investment Company
Industry Achievement Award
James Ruma, BSEE’70,
General Dynamics
Bill Vogel, BSIE’80, MSIE’84
EDS
Night of the Stars 2007 was canceled
this year because of the university budget
clampdown initiated to deal with five years
of decreasing appropriations from the state
legislature. While the traditional College of
Engineering annual banquet in fact raises
money for the college, it takes available
money to plan the event.
EXEMPLAR takes this opportunity for
a look back at Night of the Stars 2006,
which took place Friday, October 27
at the Detroit Science Center for the
second straight year. Two auto company
executives, an auto supplier, a building
contractor, a glass manufacturing
executive, a civil engineering firm
CEO and the director of a petroleum
refining acquisition company were
inducted into the Engineering Hall of
Fame. These seven successful men and
one woman joined a prestigious
group of 100 engineering alumni
with outstanding professional
accomplishments.
J. Gerald Demirjian, BSME’54,
MSIE’56, began his independent
business career in 1985 after more
than 25 years in manufacturing
production, including 18 years with
the Chrysler Corporation, when he
acquired the Tillotson fuel systems
division of Borg Warner. He has held
positions on the board of directors of
Main Street Trust, Inc. and International
Controls Systems, Inc., as chairman of the board of directors of
the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, and as a member and past
president of the board of directors of Webster/Cantrell. Jerry is
also an Emeritus Trustee of Millikin University in Decatur, Ill.
Russell J. Ebeid, MSIE’68, was
named one of the four directors of
Guardian Industries in 1985, and
president of the Glass Group. He was
awarded the Knight of the Order of
Merit on three occasions. In 2003,
Russell was awarded the National
Arab American Businessman of the
Year. He resides in Bloomfield Hills
with his wife of 45 years, Carolee.
Frank O. Klegon, BSEE’77, was
appointed Chrysler Group executive
vice president of Product Development
in September 2005. He joined the
Chrysler Corporation in 1985 working
his way up the corporate ladder. As a
manager of product engineering, he
worked in Audio Systems, Audio and
Feature Products, and Electronics
and Engine Electric, and then
Electronics Engineering and Passive
Restraints for the Minivan Platform.
C. G. Korneffel, BSCE’70, has been
president and CEO of E.C. Korneffel
Co., a marine, bridge and piling
contracting firm, since 1974. Curt
serves on the Boards of Directors of
Oakwood Southshore Medical Center
as well as for the Detroit Chapter of
the Associated General Contractors.
Together, he and his wife Maureen
Ann of 36 years have two children,
Meredith Leigh and Graham C., who
is following in the family business.
Hank Kuchta, BSChE’80, has
been a director of Northern Tier
Refining (NTR) Acquisitions Co. since
September 2006. Hank joined the
Tosco Corporation in 1993, serving
in several commercial and refining
positions, and advancing to vice
president of corporate development
until 2001. Following Phillips
Petroleum’s acquisition of Tosco in
2001, Hank served as business development manager until
2002 when he was appointed executive vice president for
refining for Premcor, Inc., a refining and petroleum products
company. At Premcor, Hank became chief operating officer in
2002, and president in 2003, holding both titles until 2005.
Nancy Philippart, BSIE’80,
earned a master’s degree in
economics from Wayne State in 1987.
She became executive director, GM
Accessories, General Motors Service
and Parts Operations, in January
2003. She has been recognized
by Automotive News as one of 100
Leading Women in the North
American Auto industry. She and her
husband, Tom McGrail, are the proud
parents of Kevin, David and Kelsey.
Avinash Rachmale, MSCE’89,
founded Lakeshore Engineering
Services, Inc., in 1994, one of the
country’s most successful and fastestgrowing minority-owned companies.
Avinash is married with three
U.S. born children. His charitable
affiliations include the Indian
Chamber of Commerce, the Bhartya
Temple of Troy, the Hindu Temple
of Canton, VHP Corporation, Adopta-Child, and numerous nonprofit organizations providing
cultural and educational programs for Indian, AfricanAmerican, and other minority and underserved children.
Engineering Alumni
Board 2007-2008
Officers
President: Paul Nahra (BSME’98, MSME’99)
General Motors
Vice President: Boban Jancevski (BSECE’03)
Continental A6
Financial Officer: David Chegash (BSIE’75)
Chrysler
Secretary:
Tony Duminski (BSEE’65, MSEE’69, MBA’82)
The Norris Group, Inc.
Past President:
Brian Geraghty (MSME’72)
Ford Motor Company
Board Members
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
52
Joe Boelter (BSChE’65, MSChE’66)
Management Recruiters of Plymouth
Robert L. Byrum (BSME’58)
Sensor Manufacturing
Tamer Girgis (BSChE’02, MSChE’03)
Engineering Graduate Student Association
Coleen Hill (BSCE’00, MSCE’02)
Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc.
David Kolodziej (BSME’59, MSME’62)
Fred Levantrosser (BSCE’60, MSCE’67, MBA’73)
Don Neuman (BSEE’72, MSCE’82. PhDCE’99)
General Dynamics
Edward Paley (BSME’58)
HPS, Inc.
Offer Preuthun (BSME’48)
Fritz Quitmeyer (MSME’83)
American Axle and Manufacturing
David Schmitz (BSME’71)
Pro Results, Inc.
Paul Skalny (MSOperations Research’93)
US Army TARDEC-NAC
Tony Wojtowicz
Lakeside Engineering
Message from the President
Dear Alumni and Friends,
The spirit around the
College of Engineering is
dynamic. In my years on
the Engineering Alumni
Association Board of
Directors, I have had
the opportunity to talk
to many alumni who
confirm my belief that
the school we graduated
from is outstanding
with a growing and
promising future.
This year, as president
of the EAA Board, I
am committed to strengthening the alliance between the
college and alumni, and connecting with more alumni
than ever. The alumni board would like a presence at more
activities this coming year. If you know of an event, or if
you want to get involved in one of the existing events,
don’t hesitate to contact me or the WSU Alumni Office.
By now you’ve probably seen the engineering alumni web
page. It is accessible from the college’s home page at www.eng.
wayne.edu. Click the alumni link in the left pane. Here you will
find information about alumni events, contact information for
current board members, and even a comprehensive job search
engine that queries many existing databases at once. Bookmark
this site as we continue to build this hub of our connectivity.
Speaking of connectivity, we have some events in the future
aimed toward leisure activities while promoting networking
opportunities with fellow alumni. This year, we are having
an Alumni Basketball Event on Saturday, Feb. 16. Join us on
the 90th anniversary of WSU athletics as the Warriors take
on Grand Valley State. Also, the 6th annual golf outing is
coming in May. Assemble your foursome and join us for 18
holes of golf, along with dinner and networking at the 19th
hole. The proceeds will support student engineering activities
and competitions. We are indeed a lucky group of people to
have many opportunities to revisit fond memories together.
In closing, I am filled with pride for your dedication
to Wayne State and the College of Engineering. It is
my goal to help you stay connected with the college
and each other. I look forward to seeing you, and
thank you for the honor of being your president.
Paul R. Nahra, BSME’98, MSME’99
Letter to the Editor
Dear EXEMPLAR:
I am a 1959 mechanical engineering graduate of WSU. I
accepted a position with the Noise and Vibration Lab at
GM Proving Ground in Milford, where I remained for 13
years. Curiously, I returned to GM’s subsidiary Saturn in
1986 to direct the (not immediately successful) noise control
engineering development activity. Between the GM stints, I
was employed by H.L. Blachford, Inc, in Troy, to direct a noise
control consulting activity for 10 years and then I owned
and operated an independent consulting firm for four years
before returning to GM. I sold my interest in the consulting
firm to two of my engineers and they just celebrated their
20th year in business. They now have nine employees and
operate in Waterford as Kolano and Saha Engineers, Inc.
I am one of those few engineering graduates who remained
as an active engineer during the majority of their careers, for
just over 40 years for me. I have now been retired for six
years and enjoy travel and restoring a 1935 Chevrolet.
My enthusiasm for engineering and science must have
influenced my children. Two have EE degrees and a third
has degrees in computer science and education.
I visited the WSU engineering building a few years back to
pick up some literature for use in a junior high school career
fair, which my daughter was arranging. It was good to see the
newer facilities and I ran across Milton Koenig with whom I
reminisced. I greatly enjoyed my time at WSU with Professors
Emerson, Perry, Howell and Jack _____, for whom I graded
thermo problems for two years. (I thought I would never
forget his name, but I cannot recall it just now.) He pulled a
trick on me between the first and second year, as he changed
books: I had to work all of the new problems in order to
be able to judge if the student’s problems were correct.
Sincerely
James A. Groening, P.E.
Milford, Michigan
Editor: Mr. Groening is a member of the WSU Green and Gold
Club for contributing $500 to the College of Engineering.
He Combines Hard work
and Good Karma
Avinash Rachmale, MSCE’89
Avinash Rachmale, MSCE’89, founder and head of
Lakeshore Engineering Services, Inc. was born in Bombay,
India, and came to the United States to earn a master’s
degree in civil engineering at Wayne State. In 1994, Avinash
founded Lakeshore Engineering Services, locating it in
Highland Park. Avinash combined engineering skills and an
ethically-based
business plan
to grow his civil
engineering
company into one
of the country’s
most successful
and fastestgrowing minorityowned companies
in the country.
Lakeshore grew
from $2.5 million
in 2000 to $68
million in 2006 in
contracts nationally
and internationally,
including
in Iraq. Lakeshore’s good karma business approach,
including its commitment to Detroit – Lakeshore bought
and moved into the old Secretary of State building at the
northeast corner of Woodward and Grand Avenue – was
recently featured in a Free Press story. “We want to create
a $100 million economy right here on Woodward and
East Grand,” the 42-year-old company head told the
reporter. “I love having a business in Detroit. I feel like we
can do something to give back to the community here.”
Avinash maintains a strong non-profit arm to the
company. His charitable affiliations include the Indian
Chamber of Commerce, the Bhartya Temple of Troy, the
Hindu Temple of Canton, VHP Corporation, Adopt-aChild, and numerous nonprofit organizations providing
cultural and educational programs for Indian, AfricanAmerican, and other minority and underserved children.
Avinash is a 2006 member of the College of
Engineering Hall of Fame and was the commencement
speaker at the December, 2007 Order of Engineer/
POET ceremonies. He is married to Hema
Rachmale. Together they have three children.
2007 In Review
53
Alumni Profile
Female Engineer Sees the World With Optimistic Eyes
Jude Garzolini, BSChE’78
by Justyna Konczalska
Engineering Public Affairs Writer
The world is flat after all, but its future will only be secure
with more women in leadership positions, says Jude Garzolini, a
Wayne State engineering graduate and program manager for
Hewlett-Packard.
Garzolini, who
received her
bachelor’s of
science from
the college in
1978 in chemical
engineering and
an MBA from
the University of
California, Davis,
not only talks about
women as a force in
technology larger
than their numbers,
but also emphasizes
the uniqueness
they bring to the
table of ideas.
She does so
as the recent
president of the
National Society of Women Engineers (SWE). The society
is no longer just the institution that once fought so
passionately for the rights of females in male-dominated
professions. A conversation with Garzolini quickly puts this
notion to rest. Garzolini and SWE’s ambitions have adjusted
to the critical questions of today’s global economy.
Not much has changed in the number of women
in engineering and leadership positions in industry.
According to current data, only 20% of engineering
graduates are females, whereas barely one in ten is
actually practicing engineering in her profession.
For Garzolini and SWE, it’s about empowering women. But
it’s also about this message: women are critically needed
in industry not only if the United States will continue to
compete in the world economy, but also for its health.
“Women have very strong communication skills; they
want to make a difference in the world and make it a
better place for their children to live in,” says Garzolini.
54
“Female brains are wired differently and women
approach problems differently than males.”
Women are keenly interested in all issues that
affect humankind, including sustainability, and they
think about tomorrow, Garzolini continues.
The seed to these ideas began when Garzolini was an
engineering student at Wayne State working full-time and
attending evening classes. She studied under Ralph Kummler,
a solid waste management expert and the current dean of
engineering. It was also at Wayne State when she found SWE.
At Hewlett-Packard, Garzolini is responsible for managing
teams composed of research and development, as well
as finance, marketing, procurement, manufacturing, and
packaging members for key media products in support
of the InkJet and LaserJet printing businesses. During her
20-year career with HP, she has contributed in the area of
product development and has been granted four patents in
the area of printing and media, with three more pending.
Garzolini is convinced that multiple perspectives and group
discussion are needed to come up with the best solutions.
Not only are more women needed at the table, she says, but
also people from different cultures and subgroups are needed
in the engineering field and in industry leadership roles.
“Engineering today is more of a cross-discipline science,
combining many different subfields,” explains Garzolini. The
world is one big marketplace of products, challenges, ideas
and possibilities, and, in order to remain the world’s leading
economic power, the United States needs to look forward
and create new technologies and industries, she adds.
Besides her work at HP and in SWE, when she has time,
Garzolini enjoys gourmet cooking, gardening, mountain
biking and traveling. The Wayne State alumna also enjoys
reading historical fiction about people or events and longview books about society, technology and business.
Studying engineering at Wayne State was good
preparation for her engineering career, says Garzolini.
The college’s strong connection to industry and faculty
members with strong industry backgrounds translates
to a very practical and process-oriented education, she
says. Because of their practical experience, the professors
can orient the student to careers in industry. q
The John G. Wright Scholarship
Thanks to the GM Foundation
For two decades, mechanical engineering students with
outstanding scholastic achievement and leadership qualities have
enjoyed financial support from a scholarship established by the
family of former professor, John G. Wright.
Born in London, Ontario and raised in Detroit, Professor Wright
was a Wayne State graduate and a member of the mechanical
engineering faculty for 25 years until his retirement in the mid1980s.
Wright taught thermodynamics, system dynamics fluid
systems and control theory among other courses. He was a
recipient of the Carr Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was a
faculty advisor, a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers
and of the
American
Society of
Mechanical
Engineers.
But most
important, he
was a son, a
husband, a
brother, and a
father. Wright
died in 1987
Phyllis Wright Johanneson (right center)
at the age of
stands with Peter Karpala (center left), this
64.
year’s John G. Wright Scholarship recipient.
Last April,
Bookending the two are daughters Carolyn
Phyllis Wright
Shockley (left) and Elaine Cole (right).
Johanneson
traveled from Maryland where she now resides to return to the
college and attend the College of Engineering Honors
Convocation where she met the current scholarship student
benefiting from the endowment established soon after her
husband’s death.
Accompanying her were two daughters, Elaine Cole, a nurse,
and mechanical engineer Carolyn Shockley. Robert Wright, the
Wright’s other child, who is an electrical engineer, could not
attend.
Wright Johanneson said it is exciting for her family to support
students with the John G. Wright Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
“Some of the scholarship recipients are writing letters to stay in
touch and tell me what they are doing in their lives,” she said.
Peter Karpala, a mechanical engineering senior, is the John G.
Wright Scholarship student in 2007. “I feel great. It’s always an
honor to be recognized for achievements and receive a award
scholarship,” said the 22-year-old, who uses the award to pay his
tuition and plans to graduate in May 2008. q
The College of Engineering extends a warm thanks
to the General Motors Foundation for its $26,000
contribution in support of engineering curriculum
development. The grants will provide the opportunity
for faculty to redesign curriculum in undergraduate
and graduate courses to take full advantage of stateof-the-art software tools employed in industry.
The engineering analysis software will be incorporated
into seven courses offered through the College
of Engineering by Kyoung-Yun Kim, instructor in
industrial and manufacturing engineering; Jerry
Ku, professor, mechanical engineering; and Gene
Liao, associate professor, engineering technology.
In addition to the cash donation, the faculty and
graduate students teaching the courses will be
supported by the software companies through additional
software licenses to use during the development of
the curriculum. The companies participating in these
projects are UGS, MSC Software Corporation, Livermore
Software Technology Corporation, and Fluent Inc. q
Planning a Legacy
“Planned Gifts” is a collective description for the ways
a donor can leave assets to the College of Engineering
at his or her death. Arranging a planned gift is often
referred to as “leaving a legacy” because these gifts will
be received by the College of Engineering in the future.
A legacy can be created by endowing scholarships or
chairs in perpetuity or helping fund programs or capital
projects. Charitable giving that is carefully planned may
help donors save on estate taxes and income taxes.
Planned gifts include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
For more information about donating to the College
of Engineering, please call at (313) 577-1508.
Bequests in wills and trusts, for a specific
amount or a percentage of the estate
“Life-income” gifts that provide income to
the donor (and/or other beneficiary) for life
and the remainder to the university
Gifts from retirement fund assets
Life insurance policies
Charitable Lead Trusts that provide income to Wayne
State and then transfer to heirs with minimal taxes
Real estate gifts, either outright or retaining
the right to use a residence for life
Other assets such as closely-held stock,
business practices, partnerships, contracts,
leases, royalties and patents.
2007 In Review
55
I n d i v i d ua l D o n o r s
O c t o b e r 1, 20 05
t h r o ugh
President Circle $1,000,000 to
$4,999,999
Mr. Marvin Danto
1868 Society $250,000 to $499,999
Mr. and Mrs. Yousif Ghafari
Charter Society $25,000 to $49,999
Drs. Anthony and Joyce Kales
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Wingerter
Anthony Wayne Society $10,000 or
more over a 10 year period or less
Andrew Brown, Jr., Ph.D., P.E.
Mr. Daniel Glisky
Mrs. Richard J Jessup
Mr. Ron Lawson
Mr. Tito R. Marzotto
Mr. Ronald L. Monahan
Ms. Nancy L. Philippart
Prof. Harpreet Singh
Wayne State Club $5,000 to $9,999
Dr. Ralph H. Kummler
Mr. August W. Colandrea
Dr. Roger C. Shulze
Mr. Lawrence J. Achram
Mr. Steven E. Kurmas
Mr. Edward Forton
Katsumi Kagawa
Deans Club $1000 to $4,999
Professor Gregory W. Auner
Mr. Victor L. Berdichevsky
William T. Birge, P.E.
Robert L. Byrum, Jr.
Mr. Mark D. De Caussin
Mr. Clifford C. Chou
Mr. Tapan K. Datta
Mr. Harold E. Deen
Mr. Theodore J. Dombrowski
Mr. Edward K. Gallmeyer
Mr. Tracy B. Gardner
Subhasis Ghosh
Prof. Ronald F. Gibson
Mrs. Michele J. Grimm
56
to
Engineering
J u ly 31, 20 07
Professor Esin Gulari, Ph.D.
Mr. Albert Edward Hong
Mr. Kenneth E. Horn
Professor Raouf A. Ibrahim
Mr. Orest Iwasiuk
Mr. Harry Kalajian
Mr. James K. Kohut
Mrs. Mollie C. Leonelli
Mr. Frederick C. Levantrosser
Dr. Norman N. Li
Charles W. Manke, Jr.
Ms. Guangzhao Mao
Mr. Perry L. McCarty
Mr. Fred Menders
Mr. Donald E. Penrod
Ms. Nancy M. Poma
Mr. Frederick C. Quitmeyer
Andrew A. Seleno, P.E.
Mr. Rajesh B. Soni
Mr. Anthony M. Tai
Mr. Raymond J. Tessier
Gerald O. Thompkins
Mr. John Boll Mr. Mumtaz A. Usmen
Mr. & Mrs. Todd E. VandeVord
Mr. Vittorio Veltri
Richard C. Viinikainen
Prof. Le Yi Wang
Mr. James Williams
Dr. Sean F. Wu
Dr. King-Hay Yang
Daming Zhang
Professor Yang Zhao
Green and Gold Club $500 to $999
Mr. Frank H. Abar, Jr.
Mr. Charles C. Adams
Professor Haluk Aktan
Mr. Falah Al-Shammari
ANONYMOUS DONOR
Ivan Avrutsky
Mr. Harold E. Ballen
Mrs. Katherine Banicki
Mr. Javan M. Banks
Mr. Joseph A. Boelter
Mrs. Pamela M. Brady
Mr. Robert L. Byrum
Mr. Donald J. Connell
Mr. Mahipal R. Dasari
Mr. John Mac Dougall
Mr. Leroy E. Drake
Mr. John R. Edwards
Mr. James H. Frye
Mrs. Tracey A. Goddeeris
Mr. Anil B. Gogate
Ms. Edith M. Grashik
Mr. Jim Groening
Ms. Colleen L. Hill
Mr. James H. Horn
Mr. Richard W. Hornby
Mr. Philip W. Husak
Mr. James B. King
Mr. David G. Kolodziej
Mr. James W. Kosakowski
T. Buck Krolikowski
Ms. Lydia B. Lazurenko
Mr. Zhenkang Li
Ms. Xiu J. Ma
Mr. Michael F. Marino
Mr. Robert L. McDonald
Mr. John MacDougall
Chikahiro Minowa
Mr. Frank Mioczynski, Jr.
Greg Mitchell
Mr. Robert N. Morris
Mrs. Loretta B. Nelson
Mr. James G. Newton
Mr. Terry M. North
Mr. John Nyland
Mr. Keith R. Outland
Mr. Thomas M. Pakula
Ms. Cynthia J. Percell
Mr. Douglas E. Phillips
Mr. Leonard Poma
Mr. Gerard J. Powierski
Mr. Fred H. Reinhart
Professor Evgeny I. Rivin
Dr. Gregory T. Roginski
Mr. James R. Schaaf
Mr. David E. Scroggie
Professor Vladimir Sheyman
Dr. Stanley K. Stynes
Ms. Dana Sun
Xian Tao
Mr. Juhan Telmet
Cheng-Zhong Xu
Hao Ying
Century Club $100 to $499
Mahmoud Abdel-Haq
Mr. Gary E. Abell
John K. Abraham, Ph.D
Ms. Katherine Abramczyk
Ms. Heidi R. Adams
Mr. Aekbote E. Krishnakanth
Mr. Dominic J. Allam
Mr. Sherman A. Allen
Mr. Rolf R. Amsler
Mr. Alexander J. Anderson
Mr. Brian D. Anderson
Mr. Karl O. Anderson
Mr. Michael A. Anleitner
Mr. Neal H. Ardahl
Mr. Robert Artymovich
Mr. Augustine N. Ashu
Mr. Mirza M. Baig
Mr. Deb K. Bandhopadhyay
Mr. Lawrence Baranyai
Mr. Thomas D. Barker
Mr. Paul G. Barletta
Mr. David J. Barrett
Ms. Lori M. Bartsch
Mr. Joseph P. Barzotti
Davinder Singh Basra
Mr. Egidio Basso
Mr. Dwight Battle
Frederick Bauer
William C. Baxter
Mr. Joseph A. Becker
Mr. Frederick C. Becker
Mr. Matthew L. Behr
Mr. Leonard W. Behr
Robert D. & Janet D. Bennet
Mr. Carl G. Benninger
Mr. Michael G. Benskey
Paul Benton
Mr. Jerry A. Beresh
Mr. James L. Bertram
Laxminarayan Bhuyan, Ph.D.
Feng Bin, Ph.D
Ms. Cynthia A. Bir
Mr. David S. Bir
Carlos Bizyk
Ms. Vera A. Blake
Mr. Albert A. Bogdan
James M. Boileau, Ph.D
Mr. Michael D. Bolon
Mr. Kerry H. Borchardt
Marion M. Bowen
Mr. John W. Boyd
Mr. David T. Bozek
Mr. Michael J. Brady
Mr. Frank G. Brandenberg
Mr. Scott K. Brewer
Mr. Dennis M. Briggs
Mr. Vernon A. Brown
Mr. Paul S. Brzezinski
Mr. David M. Buchesky
Mr. Jeffrey S. Burlingame
Mrs. Denise A. Burns
Mr. Murray Burnstine
Mr. Robert C. Burwitz
Mr. Mark S. Bush
Mr. Stephen L. Bussa
Mr. Nathan B. Cabbil
Mr. William R. Callow
Mr. Michael A. Capraro
Mr. Gary T. Carlson
Mr. David L. Carlson
Mr. Robert P. Carson
Mr. Joseph Caschera
Mr. Martin A. Caspers
Mr. John F. Cerny
Suvra Chakrabarti
Mr. Nabil G. Chalhoub
Mr. Donald H. Chambers
Mr. David M. Chegash
Mr. Kenneth R. Chelst
Mr. Zhongtai Chen
Chaoyan Chen
Mr. John C. Childers
Jaewu Choi
Faisal Chowdhury
Mr. Tsan-Hai Chue, Ph.D.
Mr. Kenneth J. Ciarelli
Mr. Billy A. Cisco
Russell J. Clark, Ph.D.
Mr. Gary K. Cleary
Mr. John L. Clement
Mr. W. H. Clevenger
Mr. Robert D. Clisch
Mr. Edward R. Coleman
Mr. Onorio J. Coletti
Ms. Ellen S. Collins
Mr. John D. Compton
Mr. Gerald A. Confer
Ms. Mary J. Coppinger
Mr. Daniel S. Cox
Mr. Frederick A. Creswick
Mr. Sam J. Criscenti
Mr. Jared G. Cuddy
Megan A. Cyrulewski
Mr. James T. Czech
Mr. Glenn W. Czupinski
Mr. Christopher J. Dakin
Mr. Julius Damrow
Mr. Minoo J. Daroga
Dr. Fred D. Davis, Jr.
Mr. Keith M. Davis
Mr. Duane D. DeDene
Mr. Kevin C. DeLisle
Mr. Zeljko Deljevic
Mr. Jay Desai
Mr. Gerald J. DeSantis
Mr. Rudolph J. DeSanto
Mr. Leon R. Dickson
Mr. John J. D’Onofrio
Mr. Timothy F. Donovan
Ms. Danita T. Douglas
Mr. James M. Doyle
Mr. Robert W. Droege
Mr. Scott Drozdowicz
Mr. Anthony N. Duminski
Mr. Kenneth J. Dunn
Mr. Michael J. Durisin
Mr. Michael S. Dymek
Mr. Richard W. Dzick
Mr. Ernest Edge
Mr. John E. Edry
Ms. Gail W. Ehle
Richard Darin Ellis
Mr. John A. Ellis
Mr. Robert T. Emerson
Dr. Rolf H. Eppinger
Mr. Gregory Fadanelli
Mr. Earl K. Fake
Mr. Richard J. Fekete
Mr. Stephen J. Femminineo
Mr. Harry M. Ferrari
Mr. Stephen L. Finley
Dr. Edward R. Fisher
Mr. Bruce A. Flaherty
Mariana G. Forrest, Ph.D.
Mr. Allen Forsaith
Mr. Brian I. Fox
Mr. Reid E. Francis
Mrs. Carole A. Frank
Mr. Max Frank
Mr. James E. Friant
Mr. John C. Friend
Mr. Steven P. Fuja
Mr. Ronald M. Gabel
Mr. Dominic D. Galia
John J. Garbacik, Jr.
Mr. Mark D. Gartner
Mr. Joseph M. Gasidlo
Mr. Stephen P. Geoffrey
Mr. Brian J. Geraghty
Mr. R. Trevor Gersch
Mr. James R. Geschke
Mr. Gerald L. Goldberg
Mr. Stewart M. Goldfarb
Mr. John V. Gorton
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher L. Gorzelski
Mr. Murali Govindarajalu
Mr. Robert M. Grant
Mr. Frank W. Green
Mrs. Joann C. Greene
Mr. Eugene Greenstein
Ms. Cristin B. Grove
Mr. John R. Grundstrom
2007 In Review
57
Mr. Vahram V. Guiragossian
Mr. Anthony J. Gullitti
Mr. Robert F. Gurchiek
Ms. Karen E. Gurchiek
Kye H. Ha, Ph.D.
Nabil A. Hachem, Ph.D
Mr. John M. Hakala
Ms. Magda H. Hakim
Mr. Anthony D. Halaris
Mr. Mark T. Hall
Mr. Harvey C. Hamel
Mr. Kouhaila G. Hammer
Mr. Michael R. Hanchin
Mr. William R. Hansen
Ms. Soma R. Haque
Daniel A. Harden, Jr.
Mr. Ronald P. Haska
Mr. Gordon D. Hauk
Mr. Lance Haworth
Mr. David A. Hein
Mrs. Barbara J. Herard
Tiffany Herard
Mr. Thomas G. Herbon
Mr. Kevin M. Hinman
Mr. Ralph J. Hitchcock
Mr. Timothy G. Hoffman
Donald J. Hoffmann, Ph.D.
Mr. Jerome W. Hojnowski
Mr. Russell C. Holmes
Mrs. Nancy Holt
Dr. Peter B. Holt
Tobenette Holtz
Ms. Tobenette Holtz
Mr. Paul A. Horvath
Allean H. House
Ms. Darlene L. House
Jialou Hu
Mr. Jingwen Hu
Robert G. Huff, Jr.
Mr. Hans Peter Hugger
Mr. Bradford D. Hughley
Mr. Thomas A. Hurst
Mr. Robert A. Husen
Amjid Hussain
Mr. Joseph T. Inatome
Ms. Carol Irvine
Mr. Jeffrey J. Jarvis
Mr. Michael B. Jenkins
Xin Jin
Mr. Richard W. Jodts
Mr. Harold W. Johnson
Mr. Alexander Johnson
Mr. Robert K. Jones
Mr. Robert L. Jones
Mr. Alexander Kade
Mr. Robert Kakos
58
Mr. Michael G. Kalinowski
Mr. Roger P. Kalinowsky
Mr. Harry R. Kansman
Mr. Don B. Kantz
Glenn Karbowski
Mr. Leonard W. Kata
Mr. Richard B. Katnik
Mr. Kenneth P. Kaufman
Mr. Sukh D. Kaushal
Mr. Norb L. Keller
Mr. Mark A. Kelly
Mr. Joseph P. Kent
Mr. John T. Kerrigan
Professor Snehamay Khasnabis
Mr. Martin Kiernicki
Mr. Jack D. Kindree
Mrs. Jennifer N. Kindseth
Dr. Albert I. King
Dr. Ernest O. Kirkendall
Ms. Le Ann Kizy
Mr. David L. Klaasen
Mr. George H. Klaetke
Mr. Timothy S. Klepaczyk
James C Klotz
Mr. William R. Knapp
Ms. Saritha Kola
Mr. Vincent A. Kolpacke
Mr. Daniel B. Kolton
Mr. Curtis W. Kovach
Mr. Robert G. Kraynak
Mr. Thomas R. Kress
Mr. Michael M. Kroetsch
Gautam Kulkarni
Mrs. Jean E. Kummler
Mr. Hans J. Kuschnerus
Mr. Carl LaFata
Mr. Partap C. Lall
Ms. Billie E. Lampinen
Mr. George A. LaPere
Jeffrey Alan Laplante
Mr. Jeffrey A. Larsen
Michelle Larsosa
Mr. Michael J. Law
Mr. Jialiang Le
Jong Beom Lee
Charles B. Leffert, Ph.D.
Clarence E. Leggs, Sr.
Mr. John V. Levergood
Mr. Yunqiang Li
Mr. Jerry P. Lindsay
Mr. Sung C. Liu
Professor Young K. Liu
Mr. Vernard E. Lockwood
Mr. Adolph K. Lohwasser
Mr. Sol Love
Feng Luan
Mr. Herold J. Lueders
Mr. Richard Lynch
Mr. Clifford A. Lyons
Ms. Ruth Ma
Mr. Mario Ma
Mr. Bernard A. MacIver
Mr. Thomas J. Malbouef, Jr.
Ms. Patricia L. Mandjack
Mr. Raymond H. Marin
Mr. George R. Martell
Joan M. Martin
Mr. James E. Masiak
Mr. Kamlesh Mathur
Mr. Peter W. Maurin
Mr. Miles K. Maxey
Mr. & Mrs. Peter W. Maylone
Walter Mazur, Jr.
Mr. Richard J. Mazur
Mr. Richard S. Mazzella
Dr. James H. McMicking
Mr. Ihor Melnykowycz
Adam Merchant
Dr. Harold J. Mertz, Jr.
Mr. Ronald P. Meyers
Mr. Irwin D. Meyers
Dr. James E. Meyers
Mr. Leonard R. Middleton
Professor Carol J. Miller
Mrs. Johnetta J. Miller
Mr. George W. Miller
Mr. William A. Miller
Mr. Kenneth C. Milner
Mr. Donald M. Minichiello
Mr. Stewart B. Mitchell
Mr. David J. Moan
Mr. Dennis M. Monsere
Mr. Daniel Morguloff
Mr. Louis A. Morris
Mr. David R. Morrison
Cigdem Mulazimoglu
Dr. Francis A. Murad
Mr. David B. Murphey
Mr. William J. Murphy
Mr. Michael Muscat
Mr. Robert M. Mutch
Mr. Randhir K. Muthyala
Mr. Ronald E. Mutzelburg
Mr. Paul R. Nahra
Mr. Prasad L. Nannapaneni
Mr. John B. Naslanic
Dr. Athanacios N. Nasr
Mr. Frederick C. Navarre
Mr. Willie L. Neloms
Mr. Roman T. Nestorowicz
Donald E. Neumann, Ph.D
Mr. Vidas B. Neverauskas
Ms. Nancy A. New
Mr. George B. Newitt
Mr. Alex Nicholas
Mr. George W. Niepoth
Mrs. Mary A. Niepoth
Ms. Patricia J. Novak
Mr. Thomas M. O’Brien
Mr. Michael K. O’Bryan
Mr. Daniel J. Obudzinski
Ms. Dawn Ogas
Mr. Andy Okab
Mr. James Oldham
Mr. Roger A. Olin
Arvind J. Padgaonkar, Ph.D.
Dr. Purna G. Pai
Ms. Martha A. Pale
Mr. Donato Palizzi
Mr. Dale R. Palmer
Mr. James R. Panyard
Mr. James W. Paquet
Namkyu Park
Ms. Joann O. Parrinder
Ms. Joann Ostrowski Parrinder
Ms. Jane L. Pauwels
Dorothy M. Payne
Mr. Sanford L. Pearl
Mr. Charles D. Pearson, Jr.
Mr. Robert L. Pence
Mr. Thomas M. Perkins
Mr. Warren S. Peterson
Ms. Melissa T. Pettijohn
Mr. Steven Piehl
Mr. Michael D. Platzke
Professor Francis E. Plonka
Dr. Ronald J. Pogorzelski
Mr. Gerald W. Powers
Mr. John C. Prakken
Priya Prasad, Ph.D.
Mr. Offer F. Preuthun
Mr. Michael T. Raggio
Mr. Charles E. Raines
Mr. Ruben E. Ramos
Mr. Jerry D. Ramsden
Mr. Alfred H. Randall
Dr. Mulchand S. Rathod
Mr. Donald J. Ray
Mr. Ralph J. Rays
Mr. James C. Repp
Mr. Ronald M. Revyn
Mr. Paul S. Reynolds
Mr. Marc I. Rich
Mr. Bruce A. Richter
Mr. Michael T. Riley
Mr. Frederick W. Rindhage
Mr. William A. Rito
Mr. Thomas M. Roberts
Mr. & Mrs. Claude G. Robinson
Mr. Peter T. Rock
Mr. Oscar J. Rodriguez
Mr. Randy R. Rogers
Ms. Amy R. Rose
Charles E. Rossiter, Jr.
Mr. Mark G. Rotary
Mr. Milton Ruderman
Lee H. Runk
Mr. Edward A. Rutkowski
Mr. Richard Rybinski
Chirag Safi
Vinod K. Sahney
Assoc. Dean Steven O. Salley
Niladri Sannigrahi
Ms. Colleen L. Savage
Mr. Timothy J. Schafer
Ms. Joan R. St. Amour-Scheske
Mr. John F. Schmitt
Mr. Timothy E. Schmitz
Mr. John C. Schmuhl
Arthur E. Schneider, Jr.
Mr. Robert Arnold Schuessler
Mr. Weston L. Schultz
Mrs. Susan Schultz
James P. Schultz
Mr. David P. Sczomak
Mr. Steven C. Setsuda
Mr. Paul T. Sgriccia
Shyam Sharma
Lucious Tyrone Shellman, Jr.
Mr. Kun-Ling Shen
Mr. John W. Shier
Marc Daniel Simkovitz
Mr. Cleveland M. Simmons
Mr. Douglas R. Sinclair
Mr. Trilochan Singh
Mr. Harjindar Singh
Mr. Avtar Singh
Mr. Robert N. Sliwinski
Mr. Thomas J. Sluchak
Mr. Glenn D. Smith
Mr. Terence A. Smith
Dr. Geoffrey Smith
Dr. Robert A. Smith
Mr. Donald S. Soulard
Mr. Victor T. Squires
Maria C. Staab, Ph.D.
Victoria Ann Stacey
Mr. Michael J. Stagner
Mr. Darryl R. Stanbrough
Mr. Gary A. Stasie
Mr. Zlatko Stevanovic
Mr. Mark A. Stotler
Mr. Grant E. Strickland
Mr. Edward I. Sun
Mr. Donald H. Suszko
Mr. John M. Sweier
Mr. Randolph G. Szabla
Mrs. Michaline J. Szady
Mr. Joseph P. Szafranski
Mr. Robert J. Szambelan
Mr. Michael J. Szydlowski
Mr. William L. Talley
Mr. Nicolaos Tapazoglou
Dinu P. Taraza
Ms. Kimberley R. Taylor-Will
Mr. Peter G. Pecos
Dr. Stephen Tennyson
Mr. George W. Thompson
Mr. Larry E. Thow
Mr. William D. Timmins
Mr. Donald D. Tomayko
Mr. Eugene M. Tomlinson
Mr. Emilo A. Tonello
Mr. Robert L. Toth
Dr. Tyman Totte
Mr. Bruce D. Towle
Mr. Jack C. Trabin
Walter A. Trost, Jr.
Mr. David W. Turnquist
Mr. Stephen R. Turns
Dr. Jerry I. Tustaniwskyj
Mr. Balbir S. Tuteja
Mr. Leonard R. Urban
Mrs. Carolyn C. Van Zoeren
Mr. Robert L. Vassel
Dr. Suresh B. Vemuri
Mr. Marcello Veneziano
Mr. John G. Venious
Mr. Paul D. Vial
Mrs. Annette L. Vietti-Cook
William C. Vogel, Jr.
Mr. Anthony J. Volino
Mr. Edward M. Vuylsteke
Mr. Douglas C. Wagner
Mr. Douglas K. Waineo
Mr. Bonaventure J. Wakam
Mr. Frederick A. Walas
Mr. Mark W. Waldrop
Mr. James R. Walker
Mr. George R. Walrod
Mr. Huichang Wang
Mr. Myron S. Watts
Mr. Spencer T. Weidig
Mr. A. Arthur Weigel
Mr. William Wen
Mr. Steven P. Wharton
Mr. Jack R. Whitehead
Mr. William A. Wiktor, Jr.
Mr. Lyndon P. Williams
Mr. David A. Winer
2007 In Review
59
Justin G Wiseman
Mr. Frank C. Wong
Mr. Robert R. Woodard
Mr. Hwai-Chung Wu
Mrs. Xiaoqin Xie
Mr. Qingfu Xu
Mr. Tianjian Yan
Mr. Dagang Yang
Ece T. Yaprak, Ph.D.
Ms. Gloria J. Yarber
Kingman E. Yee, Ph.D.
Chih-Ping Yeh
Mr. George K. Zamanian
Ms. Elizabeth A. Zatina
Mr. Srecko Zdravkovic
Mr. Mark P. Zebrowski
Mr. Keith L. Zerschling
Mr. Ning Zhang
Ms. Yu-Qin Zhao
Chun Zhou, Ph.D
Mr. Fuchun Zhu
Mr. Douglas J. Ziemnick
Mrs. Janice L. Zryd
$99 and Under
Mohammed Abedin
Abdul-Hafiz A. Afaneh, Ph.D.
Mr. George E. Aho
Mr. William H. Ahrens
Ms. Joan M. Albert
Mr. Richard L. Allman
Mr. Kenneth E. Allmen
Mr. Yogindra N. Anand
Mr. Richard F. Anderson
Janie Arafat
Mr. Allen A. Arnoldy
Mr. Larry W. Atherton
Mr. Timothy A. Auch
Mr. James D. Bacon
Mr. Marcelleaus Baines
Mr. David J. Barrett
Mr. Krishan L. Bedi
Mr. Larry C. Begin
Mr. Oleh D. Berezowskyj
Mr. William J. Bernardelli
Mrs. Janine T. Bertucci
Mr. Gerald S. Bill
Mr. Roger J. Boileau
Dr. Sally A. Bolgiani
Paul Bologna
Patrick M. Bologna
Mr. Kenneth O. Bonin
Ms. Lisa T. Boran
Fred Buynton, III
Kenneth Bresnan
60
Robert Brickner
Mr. David Brody
Mr. Kenneth A. Brooks
Mr. Vern E. Brooks
Mr. Robert W. Brown
Eric Brush
Mr. Hal Bryman
Mr. Ralph Bugamelli
Mr. Donald F. Buser
Mr. Richard J. Caloia
Mr. La Verne A. Caron
Mr. Zachary F. Carr
Mr. Bert W. Cartwright
Mr. and Mrs. Casagrande
Mr. Roderick Casey
Mrs. Irene Cavanaugh
Mr. Timothy J. Cavanaugh
Mr. James Chaplin
Ms. Alicia Chapman
Mr. Henry L. Chapman
Weiguo Chen
Mr. Steven L. Chetcuti
Mr. John L. Chmura
Mr. Sidhartha Chowdhury
Mr. Lawrence R. Chute
Ms. Laura L. Clark
Mr. Theodore S. Colomina, P.E.
Ms. Alice J. Cornwell
Mr. Anthony J. Corsetti
Mr. Dean J. Corsi
Mrs. Leanne Cotten
Mr. Kirk B. Cox
Mr. John B. Cox
Mr. Daniel T. Craig
Mr. James G. Crile
Mr. Richard T. Cronin
William A. Crozier, Ph.D.
Mr. Marion A. Culpepper
Mr. John H. Curry
Mr. Hymie Cutler
Mr. Michael J. Cynecki
Mr. Piotr Czapiewski
Mr. Anthony A. Daneshyar
Mr. Bruce P. Davis
Mr. James E. Davis
Mr. Robert L. Delong
Mr. Kamal E. Deddeh
Mr. Albert J. Dekovich
Mr. Carl E. Demek
Mr. Gerald J. Demirjian
Morris Deppi
Mr. Manoj V. Desai
Mr. Todd J. Desantis
Mr. Mario F. DiBartolomeo
Mr. Peter G. DiSante
Mr. Keith W. Donaldson
Mr. Michael F. Donoughe
Mr. Steven J. Drake
Mr. Lawrence D. Dropiewski
Mr. Hebon J. Ducote, Jr.
Mr. Richard W. Duden
Mary Lou Dudley
Mr. Kenneth J. Duluk
Mr. Frank G. Dumont
Mr. Charles B. Dupuis
Ms. Viriginia Duquet
Mr. Theodore D. Dziurman, P.E, P.C.
Ms. Julia Eizenkop
Mr. Ensign D. Emerson
Ms. Gail E. Esker
Earl Karlton Fake, Sr.
Mr. Richard J. Fanco
Mr. Gary L. Fauser
Mr. Anthony E. Filip
Ioana C. Finegan, Ph.D
Mrs. Patrice Fisher
Mr. Richard J. Folkers
Mr. Bruce H. Fonda
Antonio Franklin
Mr. Raul A. Galindo
Mr. David L. Gamache
Timothy P. Gardner, Ph.D.
Mr. Robert W. Garofalo
Mr. Frederick W. Gaunt
Mr. Mark D. Gavoor
Mr. Mark G. Geis
Mr. Jurgis Gerulaitis
Mr. Charles R. Gietzen
Mr. William P. Glunt
Mr. Gerald A. Gobb
Mr. Martin R. Goldsberry
Rahmatollah Golshan, Ph.D.
Mr. Gerald A. Gorrell
Terry Grace
Mr. Terrence D. Grace
Ms. Adrienne Gregg
Mr. Michael V. Grobbel
Mr. David E. Guastella
Robert Zengying Guo, Ph.D.
Mr. Senthilkumar J. Guruswami
Mr. Joseph A. Gutierrez
Mr. Stephen L. Hahn
Mrs. Gloria A. Harkness
Mr. Thomas H. Harvey
Mr. Gerald A. Heath
Ms. Claretta M. Hegwood
Mr. Wendale B. Henry
Mr. John R. Hepola
Mr. Brian P. Hillawi
Mr. James C. Hobson
Mr. Lee S. Hoffman
Mr. Thelbert L. Holland
Mr. T. K. Hollandsworth
Mr. Orville E. Homeister
Ms. Mary T. Horgan
Mr. William C. Horton
Mr. Michael G. Houghton
Mr. Thomas W. & Marilyn J. Howells
Mr. Dale A. Huebner
Mr. William R. Hungerford
Mrs. Johnnie N. Hunter
Mr. Piotr Idzkowski
Mr. Charles V. Irish
Mr. Kim L. Jackson
Mr. David P. Janes
Donald Januszek
Mr. Joseph F. Jarjoura
Mr. Todd R. Jarson
Ms. Collette D. Johnson
Mr. David A. Johnson
Mr. Roger B. Johnson
Mr. Alan F. Judge
Mr. Anil Kumar V. Kalidindi
Mr. Tom T. Kallapure
Mr. Allan S. Kalt
Hongling Kang, Ph.D.
Mr. Naresh C. Kapila
Mr. Alexander Kargilis
Mr. Dennis J. Karl
Mr. Stepan Karpowitsch
Sethupathy A. Kathiresan
Ms. Salena H. Keese
Mr. Willard O. Keightley
Mary Kathryn Kendro
Mr. N. Peter Kenyon
Mr. Young J. Kim
Mr. Ronald W. Kind
Ms. Linda J. Kinnear
Mr. Kenneth P. Klostermeyer
Mr. Frederick W. Knapp
Enno Koehn, Ph.D.
Mrs. Diana C. Koenig
Mr. Gary M. Kolody
Mr. John E. Kotwick
Mr. Stanislao Krasucki
Mr. James A. Krebs
Mr. Frederick J. Krestik
Mr. Arthur A. Kriewall
Professor Cynthia H. Krolikowski
Mr. Gulshan Kumar
Mr. William D. Kurtz
Mr. Alvin M. Kurz
Mr. Ian W. Ladomer
Mr. Carl I. Lafata
Mr. Mark S. Laginess
Mr. Donald M. Lai
Mr. Herbert B. Langer
Mr. John J. Laybourn
Mr. Judson A. Lehman
Mr. Marvin E. Leibson
Ms. Karen L. Lemke
Mr. Carl Leonard
Mr. Rodney B. Lewis
Mr. Richard H. Lewthwaite
Yeau-Jian Liao
Mrs. Janet Lichtenberg
Mr. Bronson W. Lightford
Mr. Earnest S. Lim
Mr. Lloyd N. Lindland
Mr. Montgomery P. Liu
Mr. Yang Liu
Mr. Huiyao Liu
Mr. Joseph M. LoGrasso
Mr. Joseph L. Loomis
Mr. Brad A. Lovett
James T. Low, Ph.D.
Mr. Albert G. Lucas
Mr. Tien M. Luong
Ms. Sharon A. Mabe
Mr. Mark G. Machnacki
Mr. Gary D. Macro
Ms. Sharon C. Madley
Mr. John P. Makinen
Anuj Malhotra
Dr. Chalasani Rao M.
Mr. Kelvin D. Martin
Mr. Anthony J. Martinico
Mr. Marvin C. Marx
Ms. Gladys P. Maxwell
Mr. Hugh J. Mcaulay
Mr. James C. McCarty
Mr. Raymond J. McDonald
Ms. Kris McGill
Mr. Kenneth A. Melchior
Mr. Wivell T. Menge
Mr. Joseph C. Meyers
Mr. Alfred J. Michelini
Ms. Mary K. Michno
Mr. Thomas J. Mieszczak
Mr. Joseph J. Mihm
Mr. Paul F. Miller
Ivy Miller
Ms. Laurajean Milligan
Mr. Gopal P. Mohanty
Mr. Richard L. Monnett
Dornis C. Morin, Jr.
Ms. Sheila Moser
Mr. George Mouradian
Mr. George Mouradian
Mr. David R. Mulligan
Mrs. Heather C. Murphy-Raymond
Jagadish Narayanaswamy
Mr. Mark A. Narduzzi
Mr. Edward L. Nash
Ka Yuen Simon Ng
Mr. Paul R. Nicastri
Timothy A. Nielsen, Ph.D
Maria Nikprelevic
Mr. Sharif W. Nuseibeh
Mr. Lyle M. Nustad
Mr. Arthur S. Ochotny
Mr. T. Thomas Okasinski
Mr. Daniel Olah
Mr. Frank V. Olivero
Kenneth S. Opiela, Ph.D.
Mr. James B. Padden
Mr. Kamlesh A. Pai-Panandiker
Mr. Edward D. Paley
Mr. James R. Palm
Yednesh A. Parnaik
Mr. Thomas Parrish
Mr. Jayesh G. Patel
Mr. Pinakin R. Patel
Prasanna Patil
Mr. Norman P. Patterson
Ms. Lori Paul
Lori Pawlik
Mr. Fermin D. Peinado
Mr. Andrew B. Pelto
Mr. Christopher P. Petrous
Mr. Dean W. Pichette
Mr. Gerald E. Piontek
Mr. Michael J. Plummer
Mr. Joseph F. Podsiadly
Mr. John K. Pope
Mr. Edward A. Popyk
Mr. Donald I. Potter
Billy Potts
Mr. Frank A. Pozar
Mr. Steven M. Pozolo
Colonel Neil E. Prince
Ms. Lamis A. Qandah-Fleischer
Mr. Stanley T. Rae
Niat Rahman
Mr. Sohail Raikhy
Mr. Munugur R. Rajendran
Mr. William P. Ramroth
Mr. Anton J. Rank
Mr. Maurice Rapkin
Mr. Nassif E. Rayess
Mr. Michael L. Rea
Mr. Donald W. Rees
Mr. Marco B. Rentis
Mr. Michael A. Reuter
Andre N Reynolds
Mr. William L. Rienecke
John T. Rilly, Jr.
Mr. James C. Roach
Mr. Arthur P. Roberts
Mr. Kenneth M. Robson
2007 In Review
61
Mr. Lawrence Rogers
Mr. Philip J. Rosen
Mr. Larry I. Ross
Ms. Rhonda L. Ross
Mr. Allen J. Rossell
Ms. Merrilyn L. Ruch
Ms. Kathleen Russeau
Mr. Thomas P. Rutkowski
Mr. Kenneth R. Rygwelski
Mr. Hussein Saber
Mr. John E. Sanders
Jasdeep Sandhu
Mr. Terry M. SanSouci
Mr. Dennis J. Schafer
Mr. Robert W. Schilling
Mr. Thomas R. Schmidt
Mr. David J. Schmitz
Tia Leigh Schnee
Mr. Richard Schultz
Mr. Ronald E. Schwartz
Dr. Otto R. Schweitzer
Ms. Brenda R. Scoggins
Ms. Catherine J. Seamon
Mr. Dominic Sebastiani
Ms. Helen Seidel
Lucille Sellinger Seitz
Ms. Mary P. Selvaraj
Mr. Michael Shaw
Kamal M. Shenaq, Ph.D.
Mr. James P. Sheridan
Mr. John A. Shinska
Mrs. Mary H. Sieg
Mr. Michael A. Siepierski
Mr. Paul Silber
Mr. Paul A. Simpson
Mr. Tejinder Singh
Mrs. Ramanjit K. Singh
Ms. Henrietta D. Skauge
Mr. Christopher J. Skotzke
Mr. Eric E. Smith
Donald J. Smolenski, Ph.D.
Clay L. Snyder
Mr. Arnold M. Solomon
Ms. Sandra J. Soroka
Mr. David E. Spore
Mrs. Earline W. Springer
Roopinder Sran
Kattiganehalli Y. Srinivasan, Ph.D.
Mr. Thaddeus S. Stanek
Mr. David L. Stefantz
Ms. Alisa M. Anderson
Mr. Carey J. Suhan
Mr. Francis G. Sullivan
Aleta Sutterfield
Mr. Benjamin D. Sweet
Ms. LaVonne W. Swift
62
Mr. Philip M. Swisher
Mr. Douglas S. Szopo
Mr. Clifton E. Tally, Jr.
Anand Tambat
Mr. Muddasar A. Tawakal
Mr. Thomas M. Thomas
Mr. Manas Thongpreda
Mr. Gary J. Tiani
Mr. Thomas A. Tobin
Mr. John Torvinen
Mr. Fred W. Trumpy
Mr. Gwo-Jyh Tseng
Mr. Thomas J. Turnbull
Raymond Tworek
Mr. Richard F. Urban
Mr. Kurt A. Van Drus
Mr. Edmond J. Van Elslander
Mr. Gregory J. Vargo
Mr. Robert L. Varilone
Mr. John H. Varterasian
Ms. Anna Veksler
Meghan Vohs
Bridget Volinski
Mr. Milton J. Vranich
Ms. Mary J. Walker
Ms. Jeanette Y. Walker
Mr. Sankara Warrier
Mr. Arthur W. Wesa
Mr. William G. Westrick
Mr. James R. Wetterstrom
Mr. Michael White
Mr. Gary White
Mr. Knute R. Wicklund
Mr. Duane P. Wilger
Mr. Anthony B. Will
Ms. Mary Ann L. Wilson
Mr. James A. Wineka
Mr. John E. Wolf
Ursula M. Wollschlaeger, M.D.
Harlan F. Worden, Sr.
Mr. Robert J. Wozniak
Mr. James T. Wuori
Mr. Raymond R. Yadach
Ms. Xiaohuai Yang
Mr. Amin Yar
Mr. Victor C. Yarne
Mr. Harvey C. Yates
Mr. Edward Yosick
James Young
Mr. Namir J. Zara
Bin Zhang
Mr. Bo Zhou
Mr. Sanchuan Zhou
Ms. Ke Zhou
Mr. Michael W. Zickafoose
Mr. Dennis J. Zuccaro
Paul U. Strauss, M.D.
CORPORATE DONORS
University Society
$500,000 to $999,999
Visual Collaboration
Technologies Inc. (VCollab)
Ford Motor Company Fund
Altium, Inc
1868 Society
$250,000 to $499,999
Detroit Medical Center
DELPHI Corporation
Engineering Technology Associates, Inc.
National Operating Committee
on Standards for Athletic Equip
NFL Charities
Heritage Society
$100,000 to $249,999
Urban Science Applications, Inc.
DSSI (Direct Sourcing Solutions)
General Motors Foundation
General Motors Corporation
DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund
Ghafari Associates LLC
Herrick Foundation
DTE Energy Foundation
Cornerstone Society
$50,000 to $99,999
Next Energy Center
Detroit Area Pre-College
Engineering Program, Inc.
Margaret L. Ashdown Trust
Sensor Developments, Inc.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company Central
Accounting Services
The Achievement Study Hall
ArvinMeritor, Inc.
G-Tech Services, Inc.
Singh Development Co., Ltd.
Visca, LLC
Charter Society
$25,000 to $49,999
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
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NEC Foundation of America
AWS Member $10,000 to $24,999
John Deere Waterloo Works
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DTE Energy Company
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Michigan Space Grant Consortium
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of Engineering & Technology
Advanced Assembly Products, Inc.
Washington Group International, Inc.
Wayne State Club
$5,000 to $9,999
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
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SEI Private Trust Company
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Joy and Hank Kuchta Foundation
Carrier Corporation Foundation, Inc.
General Motors Corporation
Dean’s Club
$1,000 to $4,999
HNTB Corporation
Friends of the Detroit River, Inc.
Manufacturing Services and
Development, Inc.
ICMA
E-Merging Market Technologies, LLC
ThyssenKrupp Steel North America, Inc.
The Auto Club Group
Marathon Oil Company Foundation
Marathon Petroleum Company LLC
Designatronics Inc.
DTE Energy Foundation
Community Foundation for
Southeast Michigan
Society of Automotive Engineers
Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit
MR OF PLYMOUTH, L.L.C.
Parsons Brinckerhoff Group
Administration, INC
Hartford Memorial Baptist Church
Associated General Contractors of America
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Tau Beta Pi Association, Inc, The
Financial Partners Credit Union
Takata Corporation
Michigan CAT
Conti Electric
T K Holdings, Inc.
Testing Engineers & Consultants, Inc.
Alcoa Foundation
Green and Gold Club
$500 to $999
Metro Technologies Ltd
ExxonMobil Foundation
Cleveland Foundation
Maloof Jewelers
GTC Specialties, Inc.
Lakeshore Engineering Services, INC.
ATMF Realty & Equity Corporation
Ghafari Associates, LLC
Singh Management Co. L.L.C.
Residential Funding Corporation
American Society for
Engineering Education
Law Offices of Julie T. Emerick, Ltd.
AID Engineering Company
Carrier & Gable, Inc.
Century Club
$100 to $499
Carrier & Gable, Inc.
BASF Corporation
Arkema Inc. Foundation
BASF Corporation
Dendritic Nanotechnologies, Inc.
Valassis Communications, Inc.
International Business
Machines Corporation
SulfoTechnologies, LLC
JSJ Corporation
Si Mortgage Company
Samosa King Inc.
Pharmacia Foundation
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University Food Center, Inc.
Kham Incorporated
Corn Products International
Nissan North America, Inc.
ETC Engineering, Inc.
Electro-Matic Products, Inc.
Landtech, Inc.
Metzler Locricchio Serra & Co., PC
Pfizer Foundation, Inc.
Barnes & Noble College Bookstores, Inc.
HSM Law Offices, PLC
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Millennium Medical and
Surgical Foot Specialists
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Marwill Bookstore Inc.
Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
Conyers for Congress
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Parsons Brinkerhoff, Ltd.
Morgan Stanley Matching Gift Program
Safety Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
Epicurus Place Restaurant
Cooper Industries Foundation
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John Coletti Enterprises, Inc.
$99 and Under
Decarloan Enterprises, Inc.
Livonia Technical Services
Co. (003122350 pledge)
IDEAcore LLC
Motorola Foundation
General Electric Foundation
Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing
Foundation, Inc.
L.C. Begin & Associates, PLLC
Michael Detroit Entertainment
Smith Arms, Inc.
Guidant Foundation
Pfizer Foundation Matching
Gifts Programs
2007 In Review
63
]
online
tech savvy
You can make a difference!
Making a gift to Wayne State College of Engineering can be rewarding in many ways. Several opportunities exist for investing in the
future of engineering students’ education and research. Your gift can help us reach our goals for the Marvin I. Danto Engineering
Development Center, provide funding for endowed chairs, student scholarships, research and other essential programs.
To mail your gift, complete the form below and mail to: College of Engineering
Development Office, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, Detroit, MI, 48202
I wish to designate my gift of:
�$5000 �$1000 �$500 �$250 �$100 �Other_______________________
�Dean’s Scholarship Fund
GIFT DESIGNATION: �Use my gift where it is needed most
�Marvin I. Danto Engineering Development Center
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
MasterCard
Name:______________________________________________ �Please charge my gift to: � Visa �
Address:____________________________________________ #:____________________________Exp:________
City: _________________________St: ______Zip: ___________Signature: ________________________________
E-mail:_____________________________________________ � Enclosed is a check made payable to:
State University
Phone:_____________________________________________ Wayne
by Michelle Franzen Martin
t
he alumni association jumped on
board the information superhigh-
joined the MySpace craze, developing
way in recent years – and has
its own place for friends and network-
been speeding ahead with award-win-
ing. The MySpace page,
ning e-communications, Web pages
www.myspace.com/waynestatealumni,
and social networking sites.
is open to everybody.
An all-new Web site, online commu-
There’s more to come. In the
nity and e-newsletters are just a few of
upcoming months, look for the
the ways the alumni association has
all-new Generation Wayne e-newsletter,
leveraged technology. Peer recognition,
as well as some other electronic
including at least one national award,
communications.
shows that it’s working.
In March, the alumni association
�Please send me information on including Wayne State College of Engineering in my estate plans
�Please contact me, I am interested in creating a scholarship/endowment
�Please contact me, I would like to talk to someone about different types of gifts-(bonds, stocks, IRA’s) etc.
To make a gift online visit http://giving.wayne.edu and click on ‘‘Make a Gift’’.
online community, visit
online community. Called W3 for short,
www.alumni.wayne.edu/W3.
it complements the organization’s recent-
We look forward to seeing you
ly redesigned electronic newsletters,
in cyberspace. �
including @ Wayne State and Green & Gold
Getaways, as well as the new Let’s Go!
Michelle Franzen Martin, FPCA
events e-newsletter.
’96, is editor of Wayne State
received an award of excellence in the
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magazine and the alumni associ-
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www.alumni.wayne.edu
44 • FALL 2007
www.alumni.wayne.edu
Cl a ss N ot e s
 1950s 
Perry L. McCarty, BSChE’53,
has been awarded the 2007
Stockholm Water Prize by the
Stockholm International Water
Institute for his pioneering work in
developing the scientific approach
for the design and operation of
water and wastewater systems.
He is the Silas H. Palmer Professor
Emeritus of the Environmental
Engineering and Science
Department at Stanford University.
Perry’s work led to the process
for the control of environmental
contaminants and more efficient biological treatment
processes, in particular, anaerobic (oxygen-less) treatment
systems for municipal and industrial wastewaters, biological
nutrient removal and the development and use of bio-film
reactors. He has tackled the important problem of organic
compounds and pollutants in wastewater and underground
aquifer systems. His work has led to the development and
practical implementation of methods to treat toxic chemicals in
groundwater, especially chlorinated pollutants from industry.
Perry is a member of the National Academy of Engineering
(1977), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1996)
and the Wayne State Engineering Hall of Fame (1988).
He resides in Stanford, Calif. with his wife Martha.
James A. Groening, BSME ’59, retired in 2005 after
working in engineering for more than 40 years and founding a
successful independent consulting firm. He worked for 13 years
at the Noise and Vibration Lab at the GM Proving Ground in
Milford. He continued his work in noise control at H.L. Blachford
Inc. for 10 years before starting his own firm. After four years,
he sold his share in the firm to two employees. In 1986, he
returned to GM to direct noise control engineering development
for Saturn. James’ former firm, which is still in business after
twenty years, is located in Waterford and now known as
Kolano and Saha Engineers Inc. James resides in Milford.
Joseph F. Ziomek, BSEE’59, is consulting on automotive
electronics technology and moving new electronics
technology into automotive. He resides in Islamorada, Fla.
 1960s and 1970s 
Donal P. Maloney, BSCHE’66, is president and CEO of
the Elliott Company in Jeannette, Penn. He is responsible for
66
all operations and strategic planning for the corporation and
its subsidiaries, as well as for Elliott-Ebara Turbo machinery
Corporation in Sodegaura, Japan. Elliott designs and
manufactures steam turbines, compressors, turbochargers,
plant air compressors and micro-turbines “It’s quite a challenge
with the integration of both companies and the cultural
barriers,” he writes. “Wayne State started my 37-year career
and I would be happy to give something back.” In his free
time, Donal enjoys golfing. He resides in Monroeville, Penn.
Ramesh Chawla, MSChE’72, PhDChE‘78, is chair of
the chemical engineering department at Howard University.
He has served as faculty advisor for the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers (AIChe) Student Chapter for 10 years and
as director of Graduate Studies for 5 years. Ramesh has received
many teaching awards, including the A&T Outstanding Teacher
Award, the Exxon Excellence in Teaching Award and the Society
of Automotive Engineers Ralph R. Teetor Award. According to
a Howard University publication, during Ramesh’s tenure as
director of Graduate studies, enrollment at Howard University
has increased by 300 percent. He resides in Herndon, Va.
Gerard P. Madej, BSCE’73, MSCE’80, is a vice
president for Plymouth-based Soil and Materials
Engineers, Inc. He resides in Detroit.
Alexander Kade, BSEE’74, MSEE’76, is a GM technical
fellow with global lead responsibilities for Chassis-Electrical
Controls and Sensors and for Object Detection Systems. He
has 31 patents covering various chassis systems such as antilock brakes and power steering. Alexander has received various
awards, including the GM Chairman’s Honors Award and the
GM “Boss” Kettering Award. He resides in Gross Point Woods.
Wayne S.
Bonus, BSCE’74,
city engineer for the
city of Southfield, is
a co-recipient of 14
state, national and
international awards
for the Bridge Street
Bridge project.
Fred Navarre,
chief structural
engineer for
Hubbel, Roth and Clark and the bridge’s principal designer,
was the bridge’s principal designer. The bridge, located
in Southfield, is the world’s first multi-span carbon fiber
reinforced polymer bridge. Wayne resides in Detroit.
Stephen D. Krefman, BSME’74, is an attorney at
the Bloomfield Hills office of Rader, Fishman & Grauer
P.L.L.C., a national intellectual property law firm.
Judith A. Garzolini, a BSChE’78, is a program manager
for Hewlett-Packard. She was elected president of the Society
of Women Engineers in 2006. Jude has an MBA from the
University of California, Davis. She resides in Star, Ind.
Robin Rutenbar, BSEE’78, is the recipient of the Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ 2007 Circuits and
Systems Society’s Industrial Pioneer Award. Robin was honored
for his pioneering contributions in developing academic
and industrial research tools for commercial applications.
Robert C. Jones, BSME’79, is the Associate Technical
Fellow for the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems in
St. Louis, Mo., where he is analyzing vibration testing
on the F-18E/F. Robert was recently awarded the
Technical Fellow Award. He resides in St. Louis.
Daniel Obikwelu, MSMTL’79, was appointed head of
the Department of Metallurgical And Materials Engineering
University of Nigeria in Nsukka. He was elected into the senate,
the highest academic governing body of the university. Daniel
was also appointed chief inspector of the Council for the
Regulation of Engineering Profession and Practice in Nigeria.
It is the highest engineering professional body that controls
and regulates all engineering establishments in Nigeria.
 1980s, 1990s, and 00s 
Mark Gavoor, MS/OR’81, was named vice president
of Supply Chain at Sanford Brands North America, a
division of Newell Rubbermaid. In this role, Mark is
responsible for logistics, customer service and demand
planning. He is tasked with improving the operations of
the supply chain leading into and after the implementation
of SAP in 2007. He resides in Wilton, Conn.
Bilal Kaafarani, BSEE‘81, is the head of Global Development
for the Coca-Cola Company responsible for the leadership and
development of the company’s global research and development
strategy. Bilal also has served as vice president of Research &
Development and chief technology officer with Frito-Lay, Inc.
for its United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa
regions. He was also with Kraft Foods for more than 10 years.
Man On A Mission
Jim Anderson Has Come Full Circle Back To
Wayne State
Jim A. Anderson, BSCE’66, MCSCE’70, struck out on his
own while working at Wayne State University, and wants to
give Wayne State students and graduates the chance to
follow in his footsteps.
In 1977, while working at the Wayne State’s Center for
Urban Studies, he was asked to plot new vehicle registrations
on a computerized color dot map. He bought a computer
and a plotter with borrowed money and started his own
company, Urban Science
Inc., to accomplish
something other
companies had deemed
impossible. Jim’s
company, now grown to
more than 400
employees, analyzes data
and advises clients on
how to optimize their
performance and
customer satisfaction.
Now a successful
business owner, Jim has
taken to providing
advice to engineering
students aspiring to be
successful entrepreneurs.
With his support and inspiration, the college is planning a
new Engineering Ventures Program. The first step was to
connect entrepreneurial students with internships and
funding for their ventures. Jim also organized a Wayne State
chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization and
personally mentors students in entrepreneurship and
business. He has set lofty goals for the EVP, including 250
graduates by 2009 and 25 business-owning graduates by
2014. He aspires to make the program the best of its kind in
the world.
Jim’s contributions will eventually fund an endowed chair
in Engineering Ventures and two rooms in the Engineering
Development Center. He has also lectured as an adjunct
professor for the college.
Jim, 62, is married to Patti Anderson and resides in Grosse
Pointe Shores. Together they have four children and two
grandchildren.
2007 In Review
67
Jim Croce, MSEE’86, was
named the 2007 Grant Thornton
Leader and Innovator of the
Year. The global accounting firm
of Grant Thornton recognizes
outstanding leadership and
innovation at Michigan
companies, community
organizations and enterprises. Jim
was chosen from among 47
award nominees. Since 2003,
he has led the Detroit-based
organization NextEnergy
into a nationally prominent
position in the alternative
energy industry. He resides in Grosse Pointe Farms.
Sharon Hubbell-Mabe, BSME’87, is teaching 6th, 7th
and 8th grade math at the Nelson County middle school
in Lovingston, Va. She resides in Hodgenville, Ky.
Hossein Nivi, MSEE’90, is dean of the College of Business
Administration at the University of Detroit Mercy. He was
formerly dean of the Ford Design Institute and director of
Global Product Development and Manufacturing Leadership
Programs at Ford. Hossein earned his PhD in 1975 from
the University of London in England, where he pioneered
the field of computerized automotive diagnostics. He also
helped build two globally competitive universities in Iran
from 1966 to 1978. Hossein founded and built the Virtual
Factory in 2001, Ford’s primary program to extend leanthinking to its plant employees. He resides in Novi.
Ed Tatem, MSCEE’90, is a county highway engineer
for the Road Commission of Macomb County.
Myndi Bacon, MSCEE’99,
is the project engineer in the
Kalamazoo office of Soil and
Materials Engineers, Inc. She was
awarded the “Young Engineer of
the Year Award” by the American
Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE) Southwest Michigan
Branch. The award recognizes an
engineer, 35 years of age or less,
for his or her accomplishments
as well as contributions and
dedication to ASCE and the
civil engineering profession.
Myndi resides in Plainwell.
68
Arun Chickmenahalli, MSME’99, is an engineering
supervisor at the Lear Corp. He is working on
advanced engineering and crash worthiness. Arun
received two patents for inventions involving head
impact counter measures. He resides in Ann Arbor.
Tongqing Zhou, MS’99, together with fellow researcher
Barna Dey, played a major role in the recent AIDS discovery
made at the Vaccines Research Center at the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Under
the leadership of Dr. Peter Kwong from NIAID, the
researchers
discovered and
mapped a small
piece of HIV
outer coat that
could be critical
in developing a
vaccine against
the currently
incurable disease.
Their work was
featured in the
February 15
issue of Nature.
Tongqing Zhou (left) with fellow
Tongqing resides
researcher Barna Dey
in Boyds, Md.
Allan Schneck, BSCEE‘00, MSCEE‘04, is city
engineer for the city of Pontiac. He also talks about
civil engineering to Pontiac school kids in an effort to
educate them about the opportunities in this field. Allan
won the 2000 Steinman Fellowship from the NSPE
Educational Foundation. He resides in Rochester Hills.
Kevin Wilk, MSCEE’01, a project engineer, has
been named an associate in the Plymouth office of Soil
and Materials Engineers, Inc. He resides in Westland.
Debra K. Osuch, MSHWM’03, manager of
development services in the Shelby Township office of
Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc., was selected by Crain’s
Detroit Business as a winner in its annual “40 Under
40” competition, which identifies men and women in
business and nonprofit community who have achieved
solid business success before the age of 40. Debra was
selected from among more than 200 nominees. She was
also among 28 women to be featured in Business Direct
Weekly’s “Most Influential Women in 2004” edition. She
also received the 2004 Industrial Achievement Award from
the College of Engineering. She resides in Shelby Township.
  Transitions 
Leonard R. Middleton, BSCE‘60,
Worked On Mackinaw Bridge
While A Student
by Fred Levantrosser, BSCE‘60
The College of Engineering regrets the passing of
Leonard R. Middleton, BSME’60, who died June 16,
2006, at his home in Maple Grove, Minn. Leonard enjoyed
a long and innovative career in structural engineering,
but it was perhaps his participation while still a student
in the construction of the Mackinaw Bridge, the longest
suspension bridge in the world at that time, for which
he will most be remembered. He was 69 years old.
In 1956 he matriculated from Fordson High School in
Dearborn to major in civil engineering at Wayne State.
During summertime while attending Wayne, he worked
on the Mackinaw Bridge. Standing on catwalks some 250
feet above the Straits of Mackinaw, he worked side-by-side
with some of the most courageous iron workers of the time,
spinning the massive cables that hold the bridge deck.
As a freshman, Leonard became the lead oarsman on
Wayne’s first varsity rowing team. After graduation in 1960,
he joined the American Bridge Division of U.S. Steel at its Gary,
Ind. plant. Leonard moved quickly to larger jobs and soon
became involved with the construction of the next longest
suspension bridge, the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in New York.
Leonard’s career then turned to multi-story buildings
during the construction boom in Houston, Tex. He developed
many innovative methods for construction processes that
streamlined erection procedures and introduced more costeffective and efficient ways to build large structures using
massive pre-cast concrete panels at extreme heights. His
analytical ability became known throughout the industry.
Leonard moved to Minnesota in 1970 and became head
of a construction firm that built processing plants and other
unique structures. He later turned to consultant work. One
extraordinary project took him to the South Pole where
he served as a consultant on the new permanent U.S.
Antarctic Scientific Station. He retired in 2005. Leonard was
predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Anita. He is survived by
his children, Paul, Laurie and Kara, and four grandchildren. q
Woman On The Go
Nancy Philippart, BSIE’80
Nancy Philippart, BSIE ’80, is all about the extras. As
the executive director of GM Accessories, a start-up
within GM, she manages a program that allows buyers to
personalize their cars with accessories before they even
drive them off the lot. Add-ons like entertainment systems,
cargo racks and alloy wheels increase the company’s
profit on cars sold, so the division trains dealers to match
consumers with accessory packages. Since her promotion
from director of product development for the start-up
to her current position, GM Accessories has increased
its repertoire of products by more than 300 percent.
Nancy was
inducted into
the College of
Engineering
Hall of Fame in
2006 and serves
on the Wayne
State University
Board of Visitors
as an adviser to
the college. A
familiar face
at the college,
Nancy spoke to
the graduating
engineering class
last May, and
has addressed
engineering
honors and scholarship students at their
annual Honors Convocation.
She also earned a master’s degree in economics
from Wayne State and in biomedical and civil
engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
She is involved in a number of activities outside of
work. Nancy is a girls’ fast-pitch softball coach, a girls’
soccer coach and president of the Metro Detroit Girl
Scouts Board of Directors. She mentors high-potential
professional women through the Menttium 100 program,
and was recognized for her efforts by being selected
to carry the Olympic Torch before the 2002 games.
Nancy is married to Tom McGrail. They have three children
and reside in Troy.
By Elliot Njus, Engineering Public Affairs Writer
2007 In Review
69
Photos from Joe Scheufler, BSCE’50
A Time Long Ago, Imbued With Opportunity, Promise And Comraderie
  Remembering 
Harold W. Johnson, Engg’41, died March 3, 2007.
Karnig Dabanian, BSME’48, passed away Feb. 8,
2007, at the age of 84 in Trenton. After his graduation
from Detroit’s Cooley High School in 1940, he served in
the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. In 1945 he
began his studies in mechanical engineering at Wayne State,
graduating in 1948. Karnig worked with several companies,
including GM and Curtiss Wright before becoming a design
engineer at Cox Instrument Co. in Detroit. He worked
there throughout the 1960s until his retirement in 1978.
He resided in Brownstown Township. He is survived by
his wife, Judith; daughters Lynn Dabanian, Irene Berenson
and Lisa Estensorro; two sisters, and five grandchildren.
Vernon Bloom, AeroE’51, passed away Nov. 12, 2004.
He was an automotive engineer with the Department of
Transportation in Washington D.C. from 1968 until 1992.
Roman Boruta, BSAeroE’51, passed away August 4, 2007
at his home in Houston, Tex., surrounded by his family. He
was born in Grand Rapids, and at Wayne University, played
on the football and baseball teams. In a career that spanned
55 years, Roman worked his way through corporate positions,
eventually becoming top executive for various companies,
taking him from Michigan to Washington, D.C., Kentucky,
Pennsylvania, and finally to Tulsa, Okla. He started his career
with the U.S. Naval Air Missile Test Center where he helped
with the development of propulsion systems. He worked for
Kiekhaefer Corporation, was a quality control manager for
Chrysler, and in 1977 took his first position with Reed Tool
in quality control, becoming its president in 1979. In 1987
Roman took up a position with York International. In 1990,
he joined Purolater Products Company in Tulsa, as president,
eventually managing the company as
CEO, and its successful turnaround. In
his retirement, he continued playing
golf and following professional sports.
Roman leaves his wife, Nancy, five
children and five grandchildren.
Roman was inducted into the WSU
Engineering Hall of Fame in 1992 and
is a recipient of the WSU Corporate
Leadership Award. He and Nancy are
Anthony Wayne Society members.
70
James Oldham, BSEE’53, passed away May 21, 2007 at
Marlicare Center in Newport Richey, Fla. at the age of 88.
Born in England, James attended Edison Institute where he
earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and in 1953 in
electrical engineering from Wayne University. He passed on his
passion for engineering to his two sons and two grandsons. He
worked 43 years at Ford Motor Company and retired as chief
engineer. A navy veteran of World War II, James helped to
develop radar. He last resided in Spring Hill, Fla. He is survived
by sons, Bob of Florida, and Dan (Teresa) of Livonia; and
grandsons Michael and Stephen. His hobbies were traveling,
gardening, golf and reading. A memorial service was held June
4 at the Howe-Peterson Funeral Home Chapel in Dearborn.
Fred W. Trumpy, BE’52, passed away July
21, 2006. He resided in Pensacola, Fla.
Cameras Roll On This Engineering Grad
On the set with Larry Fobes
Larry Fobes, MSME’75, climbs inside
the minds of business leaders to find
the secrets to their success. For the
past four years the special administrator
at the College of Business has coproduced and hosted “Leaders on
Leadership,” an interview format show
on Detroit Public Television.
Are leaders born, or are they made?
The “craft of leadership” is explored
in revealing interviews with chief
executives from the corporate world
in the weekly series. Through a partnership with the Wayne
State University School of Business Administration, each halfhour edition seeks to expose the character, drive, and ambition
of individuals renowned for their leadership in guiding local,
national, and international organizations.
On May 30, a handful of Wayne State civil engineering
students joined their compatriots in the business school on the
DPT set in the Detroit New Center area to participate in the
taping of Fobes’ interview with Ralph Peterson, president and
CEO of CH2M HILL, one of the world’s leading environmental
engineering firms.
With four cameras rolling, Fobes dug for the keys to
Peterson’s success and that of CH2M Hill, which has grown
under his leadership to a company with 19,000 employees and
clients worldwide, including London, where CH2M Hill will be
managing projects for the 2012 Olympics.
In 1948, Joe Scheufler,
BSCE’50, ten classmates and
their professor, Bob Zumstein,
caught a train and traveled
495 miles to the little town
of Hinton, W. Va. to study
the Bluestone Reservoir Dam
that was nearing completion.
All of the students were civil
engineering majors except
Joe’s brother Jack, a geology
major. The two took photos
of the group and the dam.
Last June, EXEMPLAR
received a packet of photos
and a letter addressed to
the chair of civil engineering, Mumtaz Usmen, with Joe’s
recollections of this trip. The photos and commentaries of
the event that took place almost 60 years ago captures a
certain point in time long ago imbued with opportunity,
promise and camaraderie only college days offer.
“I believe we spent three or four days touring the dam inside
and out and hearing talks by the resident engineers,” Joe
writes. “The dam was very impressive – however, one of my
lasting memories was a poker game that five
of us played on the train. Five-card draw,
nothing wild, and I hit a full house. Three
of us bet like crazy. When the betting was
over, I was beat by a bigger full house that
was beat by four of a kind,” Joe remembers.
In August 1975, Joe and his classmates
celebrated the 25th anniversary of their
graduation. “Stan Kapel hosted a gathering in
the backyard of his home just outside Detroit
to mark the occasion. I flew in from Millbrae,
Calif. to join,” writes Joe, who remembers a
great time highlighted by the presence of four
of their illustrious professors – Lloyd Cheney,
Dan Ling, Chet Orden and Jim Paulson. q
by Justyna Konczalska
Joe and EXEMPLAR would like to hear from his classmates. “I
would be absolutely delighted to hear from any of my classmates
who are still around or from anyone for the matter,” Joe writes. And
EXEMPLAR would like to receive college day stories like Joe’s from
you. Send all correspondences and photos to [email protected]
Joe’s Snapshots. TOP: Joe (center) in dining car with
classmates (left to right) Richard Welch, Sam Moses and
William Evans, on way to Bluestone Reservoir; TOP MIDDLE:
Joe (left) at Bluestone; BOTTOM MIDDLE: WSU ASCE Student
Chapter, 1950; BOTTOM: Jack Scheufler at Bluestone Dam
College of Engineering
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202
fax: (313) 577-5300
phone: (313) 577-3780
www.eng.wayne.edu
Watch for future
announcements for
the grand opening
of the Marvin Danto
Engineering Development
Center sometime in late
2008 or early 2009.