F a l l
Goals, Momentum and Tomorrow
2 0 1 0
C o ntents
Capstone Engineering Society 1-800-333-8156
Paul W. Lammers
2 Goals, Momentum and Tomorrow
National Chair, Board of Directors
Charles L. Karr, Ph.D. Dean, College of Engineering
5 Efficiency and Diversity
Brandi L. Lamon Director, External Affairs and Development
Nancy Holmes Coordinator, Capstone Engineering Society
8 Guiding UA’s Newest Engineers and Computer Scientists
Mary Wymer Editor
Issue No. 42 Capstone Engineer is published in
10 News
the spring and fall by the Capstone Engineering Society.
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22 Construction Update 24 Alumni Notes
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Dean’s message Dear Alumni and Friends, From high unemployment rates to slow housing sales, it is easy to get caught up in the firestorm of the economic recovery with the media taunting ominous headlines daily. Is the recovery going to last? Should Congress authorize additional stimulus spending? Will there be a double-dip recession? The answers to these questions puzzle even the best economists of the country. How has the recession affected the engineering industry? As problem solvers, have engineers developed new strategies to cope with the economy? Are engineering and computer science still the hot fields for career choices? Although the recession has seemingly put a black mark on the nation’s overall mood, engineers are staying positive and moving forward toward a more promising tomorrow. As you explore this issue of the Capstone Engineer, I hope you are inspired by leading engineering alumni who are working furiously to stay on the cutting edge of business practices through this recession. In addition, I wanted to provide a small glimpse of how The University of Alabama and the College of Engineering have managed during these difficult times. Finally, UA’s Career Center has provided some excellent career information not only for our new graduates but also services for alumni.
D r . C h a r l es L . K a r r de a n
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Momentum AND Tomorrow
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A dedicated president. An aggressive growth plan. A committed team of stellar employees. An economy in a recession. A state reducing budgets. A high unemployment rate. At first glance, the outlook would seem bleak for The University of Alabama — how could it not only survive but also grow with the economy tumbling and state appropriations being dramatically reduced? Solid goals and an aggressive recruiting plan have kept the Capstone moving full steam ahead during these last few years of tumultuous times. Long before the economy crashed, UA President Robert E. Witt established an aggressive growth plan to move the University from a regional public institution into a national academic powerhouse. When the recession began, the goals and the plan did not change, but determination and challenge spread throughout the campus. Through the efforts of many dedicated employees, the University is a choice for the best and brightest students and faculty, and the Capstone has accomplished the majority of its goals four years ahead of schedule. “I could not be more proud of our faculty and staff. We are dealing with economic conditions that have forced most universities to cut back and retrench or, at best, put all their plans for progress on hold. Thanks to the attitude and commitment of the faculty and staff, The University of Alabama has continued to move forward,� said Witt during his Faculty and Staff Spring Meeting in April 2010. During the last three fiscal years, UA has absorbed a $56 million reduction in state appropriations without laying off any faculty or staff or cutting any programs, and no layoffs or program cuts are anticipated. In addition, no salaries have been reduced, positions have not been frozen, and new faculty and staff continue to be hired.
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During the recession, the University accomplished many goals, including the following: • Fall 2009 freshman class set multiple records with more than 19,500 applications and a record class size of 5,200 students. Almost 1,200 of the 5,200 had perfect high school records, and 43 percent graduated in the top 10 percent of their senior class. The group included 103 National Merit Scholars, ranking UA 10th among the 600 public universities in our country and 28th among all public and private colleges and universities. • Graduate enrollment surged 26 percent in one year. • In the area of research for 2009, UA increased contract and grant activity by 16 percent. In the first six months of this year, contract and grant activity is up an additional 10 percent. • The campus’ physical infrastructure has also made significant progress, including the third and fourth new science and engineering complex buildings, the new nursing building and the stadium expansion.
to pull through the economic downturn. When Dean Chuck Karr was appointed in 2005, he immediately established four aggressive goals for the College focused on recruiting and research. Like the University, this plan did not change because of the recession. If the College had not focused on an assertive recruiting plan, the budget would have been reduced by 19.5 percent. With 94 percent of the College’s budget in salaries, positions would have been eliminated. Instead the College has continued to grow and thrive from recruiting students and faculty. In fall 2004, the College employed 93 full-time tenure-track faculty compared to fall 2010 with 108 full-time tenure-track faculty and 14 open faculty positions with active nationwide searches. Through difficult times, great leaders emerge. The legacy of great leaders lives long past their tenure. The tradition of the Capstone forever has been impacted by numerous eminent scholars, directors, deans and presidents. As it was under previous leaders, the Capstone is in the fine hands of Witt and Karr, leading for a better tomorrow and weathering the economic storms.
Engineering Plan Focused on Results While the University has been making strides, the College of Engineering has not been relying on tradition
College of Engineering Goals
4
Goal
Target
Current (Fall 2009)
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,100
2,421
Mean ACT of Freshman Class
27
27.3
Graduate Enrollment
350
301 (38 percent increase from 2008)
Research
$18 million
$17.79 million in new awards and $16 million in expenditures
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Efficiency and Diversity Keys to Weathering the Economic Storm
The question on everyone’s mind lately is, are we in recovery or are we headed toward a double-dip recession? From bank bailouts to the government’s stimulus programs, Americans now daily consider many numbers, including lending rates and unemployment percentages. Layoffs, foreclosures and credit scores are now much more ingrained in the vernacular than ever before. CAPSTONE ENGINEER
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ssion e c e r the While many , r e v be o t o n y ma istic m i t p o s are r e e n i eng re of u t u f the about ry. t s u d the in
anyone who retired, and we redistributed workloads. We extended downtimes around holidays, and we eliminated overtime.” Even though the economy has slowed, utilities are still needed during recessions. As Tom Kilgore, BSME ’70, president and chief executive officer of the Tennessee Valley Authority, explained, “Even though we saw high single-digit decline in sales, people still use electricity. We are in a long-term business, so we must keep some projects going even in an economic downturn.” Even with the overall reduction in engineering
So, what will break the economy’s downward spiral? Will the recovery bring spending back to pre-recession levels? Will there be a double-dip recession? With these thoughts, how has the engineering industry managed during the last few years? Has engineering fared better or worse than other industries? What is the outlook for engineering’s future? From civil engineering firms to large utilities to manufacturing, engineering has experienced the economic downturn, and depending on the sector, some areas have been affected more than others. Although many engineering companies have reduced staff either through layoffs or by not replacing retiring employees, most engineering firm leaders are encouraged not only by the prospect of the future but also as to how well employees have responded to help their businesses survive. “The last two years have been a very difficult challenge for us all. The rebound we have experienced at 3M Decatur in recent months has been almost as dramatic as the sudden plunge in business we dealt with at the outset of the recession,” said David Courington, BSChE ’74, operations manager at 3M Decatur. “At 3M Decatur, we have worked through this event to date without a single layoff, and for that I am most proud. We did not replace
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activity, many firms have capitalized on what engineers do best: process improvement and solutions. Improving efficiency and future productivity are guiding many companies as they work for survival. “Our employees have focused on improving design tools and updating our standards. In an effort to keep staff and still be productive, the use of funds that once would have been profit are now directed toward employee time to improve efficiency,” said Glenn Bishop, BSCE ’64, MSCE ’66, chairman of LBYD Inc.
“At 3M Deca tur, we have wo rked through this event to date with out a single layoff , and for that I am most proud.”
Courington echoed Bishop’s sentiment about improving processes. “Within 3M, our engineers have taken full advantage of the downturn period to work on safety, product quality and efficiency improvements to reduce costs.” “Overall, the engineering profession should fare well over the long term because of its very nature. Engineering is the art and science of solving problems, and there will be problems to solve as long as there are people,” said Kilgore. “Society will always strive to advance by solving problems and making things better — even when times are bad — and that makes engineering key to society’s advancement.” While the recession may not be over, many engineers are optimistic about the future of the industry. For some markets, the banking and lending industry will continue to greatly impact engineering for the next few years. “Although some indicators are positive, we feel we are not out of the recession,” said Bishop. “It will take a while for the construction community to feel the benefits of an improving economy. There will need to be stability in the lending markets and government revenues before the construction industry gets back to normal.” Kenneth White, BSCE ’71, president and founder of H. Kenneth White and Associates Inc., agreed with
“Engine ering i s the art and scienc e o solving problem f s, and th ere wil l be problem s to so lve as long as ther e are peo ple.”
Bishop about the finance and banking environments. “There have been so many changes in this area that most of the developers are having a really tough time in securing proper financing for projects. With that said, we are slowly beginning to get back to normal with a much increased workload this year — currently our books so far this year exceed what we did the entire year of 2009.” Although economists are struggling with predicting if the recession is truly over or if the country is heading for a double-dip recession, one thing is for certain: Engineering’s future is based in the optimism of solving today’s problems for a better tomorrow.
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Guiding UA’s Newest Engineers
a nd C o mpute r S cientists to Their Jobs of Tomorrow The excitement of graduation is compounded by the dreaded search for a job. From balancing class work demands of the last semester, searching for a job, and trying to enjoy the last few weeks with friends, many students are simply overwhelmed at the end of their educational experience. The hard work and accomplishments of the last few years come down to the all important question, “do you have a job?” From helping students write a résumé, attend career fairs and search for a job to giving advice for interviews, UA’s Career Center guides students through job postings, résumé referrals and on-campus employer recruiting. Dedicated to maximizing career development and opportunities for students and alumni, the Career Center provides programming, assessment and guidance that lead individuals to manage their careers. With the unemployment rates still higher than 10 percent in many areas of the country, what does the job market look like for the Capstone’s newest engineers and computer scientists? Are more graduating seniors opting for graduate school because of the economy? “Overall, the good news is that engineering students are still getting jobs,” explained Gayle Howell, senior career consultant for engineering at UA’s Career Center. “During the past two years, we have seen a decline in
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the number of students receiving multiple offers. Although, students seem to be very aware of the change in the job market and, for the most part, are taking a more proactive approach to launching their careers.” With the Cooperative Education Program constantly expanding and internships being added to certain curriculum requirements, students are actively engaged in their career planning long before they receive their degrees.
In addition to students being more active with their career searches, through the Career Center, students are able to network with potential employers throughout the country. As the University has been actively recruiting students from every state, it has been important to enlist companies that are located from students’ home states. Therefore, the Career Center has been continuously adding companies representing a broader
Career Center Services for Alumni (free of charge) • Résumé critiques, assistance with cover-letter writing, reference development • Job-search planning and assessment • Career fairs (September and February) • Career-change exploration • Graduate school planning • Review of graduate school application and essay • Assistance with interviewing skills, including the Mock Interview Program • Networking assistance • Salary negotiation assistance • Salary and employment evaluation assistance
“Recent graduates who have intern or co-op experience tend to bode better than those students without engineering experience,” said Howell. “Employers use the internship and co-op programs to help identify people who will be a good fit for their company as a future hire.”
geographic scope than just the Southeast region. While UA’s Career Center guides students from the initial decisions of which major and discipline, the Capstone is one of a few universities in the country that offers career services to alumni indefinitely for no charge.
S a l ary b y U n d e rgra d uat e M aj o r
Employers are able to utilize CrimsonCareers, the Career Center’s database of job listings, for postings of any experience level. “A major point for employers to recruit from The University of Alabama is the fact that they will be able to reach out to all experience levels through our alumni network,” said Howell. “Even though some graduating seniors are continuing school directly for advanced degrees, most employers looking for candidates with a master’s degree or higher want work experience in addition to graduate school.” Educating top-notch engineers and computer scientists is only half the mission of the College of Engineering. By providing the resources for lifelong success, our alumni continue to be proven leaders in their chosen industries, and UA’s Career Center is one of the first places to start the journey of professional service. http://www.uacc.ua.edu
Year
Average
Range
Aerospace 2009
$65,000
$55,000–$75,000
2008
$50,000
$48,000–$52,000
2007
$52,087
$50,000–$58,000
Chemical 2009
$71,643
$52,000–$87,000
2008
$67,457
$46,000–$84,000
2007
$57,200
$45,000–$64,900
Civil 2009
$47,125
$21,840–$68,000
2008
$53,096
$45,000–$72,000
2007
$47,488
$40,000–$56,200
Computer Science 2009
$50,000
$50,000–$50,000
2008
n/a
2007
$45,000
$36,000–$53,000
Construction 2009
$65,000
$65,000–$65,000
2008
$50,400
$50,400–$50,400
2007
n/a
Electrical 2009
$54,667
$36,000–$69,000
2008
$56,000
$42,000–$65,000
2007
$53,231
$42,000–$66,000
Mechanical 2009
$56,324
$35,000–$87,000
2008
$53,009
$43,000–$80,000
2007
$50,028
$25,623–$60,000
Metallurgical 2009
n/a
2008
$65,518
$54,553–$85,000
2007
$53,598
$53,598–$53,598
n/a
n/a
n/a
C o l l ege o f E nginee r ing U nde r g r a du ate P l a cement S umm a ry 2009
2008
1%
1%
25%
47%
2007
11%
2%
18%
28%
3%
2% 23%
1%
10%
59%
68%
Full-time employed Part-time employed Further education Military service Seeking employment Not seeking/other
1%
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N ews
U A HO N O R S D I S TI N G U I S H E D ENGINEERING FELLOWS
Front row, left to right: Robin Henderson, Ronald Chronister and Cynthia Gray. Back row, left to right: Garry Lyles, Michael Johns, Joseph Cates, and Alsey C. “Chip” Parker III.
The College of Engineering honored seven alumni of the College by inducting them into its class of 2010 Distinguished Engineering Fellows.
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Joseph E. Cates, PhD – BSAE 1990
Ronald E. Chronister – BSCE 1982
Cynthia Cason Gray – BSCS 1982
For the majority of his professional life, Dr. Joseph E. Cates has been an instrumental contributor to the growth of the digital age in the film and music industry. Throughout his career, he has worked on the development of new methods of producing and distributing digital content in both physical formats and online. Cates’ knowledge of entertainment technology and his leadership skills have helped advance him to his current position as senior vice president of technology for Universal Pictures, where he oversees the studio’s technology efforts. He is responsible for enabling greater consumer access to Universal’s film content through research and development of digital technologies, including digital cinema, 3-D, new formats and Internet distribution.
For the past 27 years, Ronald E. Chronister has contributed his knowledge and commitment to the country through his work for the U.S. Army. His dedication to his job stems from his passion for protecting the soldiers who defend America. Superior technology and air support continue to bring success to U.S. troops, and these defenses are developed under Chronister’s leadership. In his current position as deputy to the commander of the Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command, Chronister manages a multifaceted and diverse organization with a budget of more than $4 billion and over 11,000 employees.
From inspiring youth in science and math in the public school system to leading Gray Research Inc., Cynthia Cason Gray has become one of Huntsville’s leading female business owners. As executive vice president of Gray Research, she has an integral role in coordinating all support functions for the company, which is a subsidiary of MacAulay-Brown Inc. Under her leadership, Gray Research has grown into a leading provider of engineering and business solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA. With more than 150 employees and over $27 million in annual revenue, Gray Research excels not only in corporate culture but also in customer satisfaction.
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N ews Robin Neely Henderson – BSIE 1983 Robin Neely Henderson has devoted more than 26 years to public service by helping advance America’s space program and working on some of the nation’s most important science and exploration initiatives, including the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. Through her leadership, she ensures that policies and processes are in place to effectively and safely reach beyond our current knowledge of space. As the associate director for management at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, she is responsible for assisting the director in managing a workforce of more than 7,000 employees and for ensuring that the center’s 4.5 million square feet of facilities and capabilities are equipped to support delivery of products and services needed by NASA and the nation.
Michael David Johns – BSME 1997, MBA 2005 Michael David Johns began his career with Southern Research Institute as an engineering co-op student at The
University of Alabama in 1994. Since then, he has dedicated his career to the company, and he currently serves as vice president of the engineering division. Under Johns’ leadership, the business has grown to more than $26 million in annual revenue and employs over 120 engineers, scientists and support staff. Johns also serves as director of government affairs for Southern Research. He has directed and managed high-profile research and commercial projects and now leads teams of researchers working in clean energy technologies, electromechanical systems and integration, aerospace engineering, materials engineering and automotive engineering.
Garry M. Lyles – BSME 1975 Becoming the first in his family to graduate from college propelled Garry M. Lyles to numerous assignments with NASA throughout the country. As the engineering associate director for technical management at Marshall Space Flight Center, Lyles’ leadership skills have played an important role in implementing engineering best practices
to track the product delivery and resolution support of the Ares I Upper Stage and Vehicle Integration projects. He recently received the Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to launch vehicle design.
Alsey Clements Parker – BSCE 1922 Making life easier for Tuscaloosa residents could have been the mantra that Alsey Clements Parker followed throughout his life. From working on numerous water projects at Lake Tuscaloosa to the widening and paving of Veterans Memorial Parkway, Parker provided Tuscaloosa residents with easy access to roads and clean water thanks to his dedication to engineering a great city. During Parker’s years as Tuscaloosa’s city engineer and later as chief executive officer of his engineering firm, he supervised the completion of these and many other projects that allowed Tuscaloosa to grow and become more accessible. Parker, who passed away April 1, 1969, was inducted posthumously. Alsey C. “Chip” Parker III accepted the award on behalf of the family.
N O L A N D A W A R D E D O U T S TA N D I N G A L U M N I V O L U N T E E R AWA R D The College of Engineering awarded Jon Noland with the 2010 Outstanding Alumni Volunteer Award. Throughout his career, Noland has demonstrated his love and loyalty to UA by serving on the Capstone Engineering Society board and the CES Golf Tournament Committee. As a member of the Capstone Engineering Society board, Noland has helped the College continue to better understand both the viewpoint of major engineering industries and how the College can better prepare students to enter the work force. In addition, Noland has helped through nominating new CES board members, reaching out to new donors for the College and recruiting prospective students. Noland’s work on the CES Golf Tournament has made it an annual success. He has served on the organizing committee for many years, and he chaired or co-chaired the committee three times in the last seven years. Due to Noland’s tireless efforts, the tournament has grown from a small event with 75 players raising about $5,000 to more than 160 players raising over $20,000 annually for scholarships. Noland received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Capstone in 1992; in 2007 he was named a UA Department of Mechanical Engineering Fellow. He currently serves as American Cast Iron Pipe Co.’s division manager, responsible for directing the sales, marketing, customer service, production scheduling and field technical services. CAPSTONE ENGINEER
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N ews
Big Thanks BIG THANKS
We appreciate our recent partners in UA’s College of Engineering family for their support of our students and programs. Dr. Glenn James Ahrenholz for continuing support of the H. William Ahrenholz Emerging Technologies Fund American Cast Iron Pipe Co. for continuing support of the ACIPCO Engineering Scholarship Program Mr. and Mrs. Dennis L. Baxendale for continuing support of the Dennis and Virginia Baxendale Endowed Scholarship Boeing Co. for continuing support of the Boeing Corp. Scholarship and the Boeing Corp. Multicultural Engineering Scholarship Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Haubein for continuing support of the Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Haubein Endowed Engineering Scholarship Mr. and Mrs. George M. Jones III for establishing the George Merrell Jones III and Carole Jurenko Jones Endowed Scholarship Mr. Guy K. Mitchell for continuing support of the Guy K. Mitchell Jr. Endowed Scholarship
Brasfield & Gorrie LLC for continuing support of the Brasfield & Gorrie Founders’ Scholarship, the Brasfield & Gorrie Endowed Support Fund, and the Brasfield & Gorrie Discretionary Fund
Mr. G. William Quinby for continuing support of the G. William Quinby Endowed Engineering Scholarship
Dr. Robin B. and Mr. William P. Buckelew for continuing support of engineering scholarships
Vulcan Materials Co. for continuing support of the Vulcan Materials Co. Endowed Support Fund
CDG Engineers & Associates for continuing support of the CDG Engineers Civil Engineering Scholarship
Ms. Ferne Wlodarski for establishing the M. Ferne Wlodarski Support Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Clint S. Coleman for establishing the Clint Coleman Endowed Engineering Scholarship
Correction from the Spring 2010 Capstone Engineer. The Capstone Engineer regrets the error.
Dr. and Mrs. Mark E. Cooper for establishing the Mark and Dixie Cooper Endowed Scholarship Davis Architects Inc. for continuing support of the Davis Architects Excellence in Construction Engineering Support Fund
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Golden & Associates Construction LLC for continuing support of the Golden & Associates Endowed Support Fund and the Golden & Associates Construction LLC Engineering Scholarship
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Mrs. June N. Crowder for continuing support of the William E. Crowder Endowed Scholarship in Engineering
Show your pride in the College of Engineering with t o p - qu a l ity a pp a r e l a nd gifts . Choose from polo shirts, coffee mugs, baseball caps and more. Profit generated from the sale of these items contributes to the Capstone Engineering Society, which provides scholarship funds to UA’s College of Engineering.
Call 1-800-333-8156 Come By 174 H.M. Comer Click eng.ua.edu
S urve y i ng t h e C o llege
ECE P rofesso r W ins N S F C A R E E R Award The National Science Foundation selected Dr. Seongsin Margaret Kim, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, for a CAREER Award, one of the NSF’s most prestigious recognition of top-performing young scientists who are beginning their careers. Kim has been awarded a five-year, $400,000 grant to advance her research program based on terahertz technology, one of today’s most challenging and exciting areas of research originating from a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Kim’s research will investigate the interaction between light (electromagnetic waves) and matter to attain combined spectroscopic sensing and near-field imaging capabilities by utilizing terahertz waves.
F ridle y Receives U A Eng ineeri ng ’ s Hackney Leadership Award Dr. Kenneth J. Fridley, professor and head of civil, construction and environmental engineering, received the 2010 T. Morris Hackney Endowed Faculty Leadership Award. The award honors a faculty member who exemplifies the constant guidance and leadership necessary to make UA’s College of Engineering exceptional. Fridley began working at the Capstone in 2003 as professor and head of the civil, construction and environmental engineering department. Under his leadership, the department has experienced remarkable growth in both undergraduate and graduate enrollment as well as research activity. In 2006, he served as an administrative fellow for the office of the executive vice president and provost of the University. He was instrumental in leading the effort to establish the Capstone’s construction engineering and management program, which is one of 10 such programs throughout the country. Fridley has gained a variety of experience in structural wood engineering through his studies of the creep-rupture of wood, the vibrations, durability and deflection of wood structures, and the response and protection of wood-frame buildings to natural hazards, such as wind and earthquakes. He has been active in various areas of research and has been awarded numerous externally funded research grants. In addition, Fridley has more than 70 reviewed publications and more than 100 conference presentations. This award was created as a tribute to T. Morris Hackney and was made possible by the contributions from John H. Josey and his son, Howard Josey.
C C E E Pr o fess o r R ece ives P res t ig i o us C UT C Award Dr. Yingyan Lou, assistant professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering, was awarded the Pikarsky Award for outstanding doctoral dissertation in science and technology by the Council of University Transportation Centers. The Pikarsky Award is the highest award given by the CUTC. Lou was selected as one of the two recipients for the $2,000 award. Lou’s dissertation, “A Hierarchical Framework for Congestion Pricing of Transportation Networks,” examines how road pricing methods can reduce traffic congestion. CAPSTONE ENGINEER
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M E St uden t Received S tud y- A b r o ad F ello ws h ip Michael Sealy, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, received an International Research and Education in Engineering Program fellowship through the National Science Foundation to study in China on an international research project. Sealy was one of 30 graduate students chosen nationwide and is the first student chosen from the Capstone. He received a $4,000 stipend and allowances for travel, housing, meals and an orientation program. He studied in the Center of Micro/Nano Manufacturing Technology at Tianjin University in Tianjin, China.
M E St uden t Awarded G o ldwater S c h olarsh ip For the fourth consecutive year, a student from The University of Alabama has been named a Goldwater Scholar, receiving one of the country’s most elite academic scholarships. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence Foundation selected Daniel Gerber among 278 students nationwide to receive scholarships covering the costs of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to $7,500 per year. The Goldwater Foundation Scholarship Program was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering, and it is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields. Gerber, a junior in mechanical engineering, works as an undergraduate research assistant to Dr. Paul Hubner, assistant professor of aerospace engineering and mechanics. Gerber’s research focuses on using luminescent photoelastic coatings, a new experimental method for stress analysis, to advance coating calibration and performance. Gerber also received first place recognition in the undergraduate division of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics International Student Conference technical paper competition and first place in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers District F Student Professional Development Conference Old Guard Oral Presentation Competition.
Pro m otio n and Tenure The following faculty received promotions or tenure this year: Dr. Marcus Ashford, associate professor of mechanical engineering Dr. Kevin Chou, professor of mechanical engineering 16
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AE M St uden t Receives N A S A A er onaut ics S ch olars h ip Chase Leibenguth, a senior in aerospace engineering, received a NASA Aeronautics Scholarship. Leibenguth was selected among 20 undergraduate students nationwide to receive scholarships covering the costs of tuition and other education related expenses at $15,000 per year and a $10,000 summer internship at a NASA Research Center. Leibenguth was the state’s only student selected. Leibenguth works as an undergraduate research assistant to Dr. Amy Lang, assistant professor of aerospace engineering and mechanics, and Dr. Will Schreiber, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. His research is focused on using computational fluid dynamics to model and analyze fluid flow over butterfly scales.
UA S e ts Reco rd w i t h 1 0 S tudent s N a med t o U S A To day ’ s A ll-USA Co llege Academ ic Tea m A record 10 University of Alabama students have been named to USA Today’s 2010 All-USA College Academic Team. Once again, UA led the nation with the most students on the team, and set a record for the most students any university has ever placed on the team in a single year.
Joy Driver Aldridge
Amy Frees
UA engineering students Joy Driver Aldridge and Amy Frees, both chemical and biological engineering majors, were named to the Third Team. This is the seventh consecutive year an engineering student has been named to the team.
C E S Ou ts tandi ng S eni or Award A $500 cash stipend and plaque were presented to Whitney Erin Montgomery, a senior in industrial engineering, as the 2010 Capstone Engineering Society Outstanding Senior. In addition to maintaining a 4.0 grade point average throughout her college career, Montgomery is the recipient of numerous academic honors, including President’s List, Alpha Pi Mu Outstanding Junior Award, George C.K. Johnson Industrial Engineering Award, and membership in the senior honoraries of Mortar Board and the Blue Key Society. She is a member of Tau Beta Pi, the Golden Key Honour Society, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Lambda, Phi Eta Whitney Erin Montgomery (left) and Nancy Holmes, Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, Cardinal Key and the National Capstone Engineering Society coordinator Society of Collegiate Scholars. Montgomery has received many scholarships, including The University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship, the Nucor Steel Engineering Leadership Scholarship, the Stockham Valves Engineering Scholarship, the Institute of Industrial Engineers UPS Female Engineering Scholarship and the Society of Women Engineers Honeywell Scholarship. She served as the vice president of Alpha Pi Mu, the industrial engineering honor society. She has served as the senior design project team leader and as an undergraduate teaching assistant. CAPSTONE ENGINEER
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S urve y i ng t h e C o llege
Mercedes -Benz Launch es G raduate F ello ws h ip P r o gram with UA Mercedes-Benz U.S. International has announced the creation of a Graduate Fellowship Program in conjunction with the Capstone — a unique opportunity for graduate students to gain exposure to leadership and management principles in one of the most advanced automotive manufacturing plants in the world. The students selected for the Mercedes-Benz Graduate Fellowship — beginning fall of 2010 — will alternate semesters between UA graduate coursework and working for MBUSI in Vance, Ala. In addition to a paid scholarship, the program will provide benefits and an offer of full-time employment upon graduation. Program disciplines include finance, accounting, electrical engineering, electrical engineering with computer options, mechanical engineering, or operations management. This new program will be funded in part by interest from a $1 million endowment established in 2001 with the University by MBUSI and its parent company, Daimler AG.
UA Rece ives $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 Grand C hallenges E xpl o rat i ons G ran t f or Inno vat ive Gl o bal Healt h Researc h The University of Alabama received an interdisciplinary research team award, a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The grant will support an innovative global health research project titled “Novel and Rapid Method for E. coli Detection and Typing.” UA’s project is one of 78 grants announced by the Gates Foundation in the fourth funding round of Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative to help scientists around the world explore largely Ynhi Thai, a senior in chemical and biological engineering, and Andrew Magee, a senior in unproven ways to improve mechanical engineering, test water samples during an Engineers Without Borders trip to health in developing Vietnam and Cambodia during 2009. countries. To receive funding, UA’s team members showed in a two-page application how their idea falls outside current scientific paradigms and might lead to significant advances in global health. The initiative is highly competitive, receiving almost 2,700 proposals in this round. Led by Dr. Joe Brown, assistant professor in New College and biological sciences, the Capstone’s interdisciplinary research group includes Dr. Philip Johnson, associate professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering, and Ynhi Thai, a senior in chemical and biological engineering. The project idea was conceived through work the group performed in Vietnam and Cambodia last summer.
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S urve y i ng t h e C o llege
M E S t uden t R ece i ves N at i o nal S c h o lars h i p fr o m A C E C
Chris J. “CJ” Searcy Jr. receives his ACEC scholarship check. From left: Dr. Kevin Whitaker, associate dean for academic programs; Searcy; Jimmy Duncan, project manager with McGiffert and Associates; Charles Hall, membership services coordinator for ACEC Alabama; and Forest Wilson II with TTL Inc.
Chris J. “CJ” Searcy Jr., a junior mechanical engineering student, received the American Council of Engineering Companies’ Small Firm Council Scholarship worth $5,000. Searcy was nominated for an ACEC General Scholarship by the ACEC of Alabama. As one of three national winners selected for general scholarships, Searcy’s application was reviewed based on cumulative grade point average, an essay, work experience, recommendation letters and extracurricular college activities.
The Answer Is … ME Student Competed on Jeopardy! College Cha mpi onsh ip
U A R ece i ves D O E Gran t F or C ar b o n S t o rage R esearc h The University of Alabama has been awarded a U.S. Department of Energy grant totaling more than $4.85 million for a multidisciplinary project that will characterize geologic formations for carbon dioxide storage in Alabama. With the addition of matching funds from industry partners, the total project cost is expected to be $6.5 million. A part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the overall project goal is to increase knowledge about the potential for these formations to safely and permanently store carbon dioxide. In an effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, researchers are investigating ways to store carbon dioxide underground. Carbon dioxide, which is a major greenhouse gas, contributes to Earth’s global warming. Its concentration levels have increased due to the consumption of fossil fuels. Geological formations are considered the most promising carbon dioxide storage sites, but the storage capacity and long term storage stability must be assessed. UA’s project will investigate the possibility for storage in an underground reservoir in the vicinity of the Alabama Power Gorgas Plant. Successful completion of the project has the potential to extend the useful life of coal-fired power plants throughout the region. By investigating the geology near existing power plants, transportation costs to a carbon dioxide storage area would be greatly reduced. Through the multidisciplinary award, researchers from UA’s College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences are collaborating with the Alabama Geological Survey and Rice University. During the next three years, the team will analyze geophysical data, build geological and reservoir models, and drill, complete and test a 4,000foot well. This work will help define an estimated 28 gigatons of carbon dioxide storage capacity underlying northwest Alabama. The team will also develop guidelines that can be used for national site characterization projects to better determine which scientific tests are needed to identify storage sites.
Senior mechanical engineering student Will Warren competed in the first round of the Jeopardy! College Championship on Feb. 2. Warren is third from the left on the back row. CAPSTONE ENGINEER
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S urve y i ng t h e C o llege
E ngineers W i t h ou t B o rders C o m ple tes S uccessful Service Tr i p t o Peru
Engineers Without Borders traveled to Peru as part of an Interim course designed to explore engineering in practice by installing solar lighting and by testing drinking water in the Amazonian village of Ayacucho. The group of 12 students, led by Dr. Philip Johnson, associate professor of civil engineering, and Dr. Pauline Johnson, professor of civil engineering, journeyed up the Amazon River to Ayacucho, where they worked with the villagers to test the effectiveness of their water treatment system. The team then successfully installed solar panels and lights in 29 homes. After working in the village, the students traveled to Aguas Calientes to tour the fascinating site of Machu Picchu, with some students completing the 1,200-foot climb of Huayna Picchu to capture a complete panoramic view of the historical site. The students spent the last few days in Cusco, touring the historical capital and experiencing the cultural epicenter.
Ala b a m a i n S pa in: E ng ineer ing , Tec hn o lo g y and S o c ie t y UA’s College of Engineering, in collaboration with UA’s Spanish program, the Pamplona Learning Spanish Institute, offered an inaugural program for more than 20 engineering students this past summer in Pamplona, Spain. The study abroad program gave the students an opportunity to study a general Spanish and an engineering course, which specifically was designed to review the interactions between society and culture and various technologies and engineering systems. As part of the five-week program, the students toured Pamplona, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Hanging Bridge at Portugalete. Excursions also included trips to local engineering sites, like solar and wind energy installations.
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Leading by doing. The University of Alabama is leading future generations through teaching, research and service. The greatest example of this can be seen in our stellar students. From helping students in Tuscaloosa schools with afterschool tutoring, to rebuilding baseball fields in the Black Belt, to working in Vietnam and Cambodia to improve water sanitation efforts, our engineering students are touching lives and making a positive difference in the lives of the Tuscaloosa community, the state and far beyond.
As a member of The University of Alabama, you join a time-honored tradition of excellence. To find out why so many outstanding students call the Capstone their home, visit www.ua.edu.
www.ua.edu/touchinglives
C o ns t ruc t i o n
U pda t e S ci en ce an d E n g i neer i n g C o mpl ex P hase III Sche dul ed t o open No v ember 2 0 1 1
A lu m n i N o t es
Jobs/ Promotions/ Awards 1937
Richard Woodruff, BSCE ’37, volunteers with Birmingham’s Village Creek Society investigating area flooding problems and developing a recreational park around the Avenue F Bridge. His research has initiated $3.5 million in funds toward the building of a new bridge and clearing the stream of obstructions.
1968
Dr. Dan Turner, BSCE ’68, MSCE ’70, was inducted as the 67th Chi Epsilon national honor member and is the 2010 recipient of UA’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering’s Keith-Woodman Award.
1980
Walter Schoel III, BSCE ’80, PhD ’86, was named a UA Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering Fellow.
Walter Schoel III
1982 Ed Day, BSME ’82, was named a UA Department of Mechanical Engineering Fellow.
Dr. Dan Turner
1974
Mike Tracy, BSMinE ’74, MBA ’86, rejoined Drummond Co. as mining president and corporate director.
1975
Myrk Harkins, BSCE ’75, was named an officer and vice president with responsibility for corporate real estate for Alabama Power.
1983
Ed Day
Kevin Vincent, BSEE ’83, JD ’86, was appointed by President Obama as chief counsel of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation.
1984
Myrk Harkins
Garry Lyles, BSME ’75, was named a UA Department of Mechanical Engineering Fellow.
Garry Lyles
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Dr. Chuck Karr
Dr. Chuck Karr, BSME ’84, MSMh ’86, PhD ’89, was named a UA Department of Mechanical Engineering Fellow.
A lu m n i N o t es
Greg O. Robinson, BSCE ’84, was named a UA Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering Fellow.
1990
David Allen Cooper, BSAE ’90, became the director of Alabama Technology Network Center in Jasper. Dhrupad Trivedi, MSEE ’90, was named president of Trapeze Networks.
1991
Greg O. Robinson
Tony Carroll, BSEE ’91, joined Dalton Utilities as president of electric/gas engineering and operations.
1985
Don Carver, BSChE ’85, joined Analytical Services Inc. as vice president for aerospace and engineering at a second ASI facility located on their campus in Research Park in Huntsville. Felicia Riggs Cook, BSME ’85, was named a UA Department of Mechanical Engineering Fellow.
1994
Joseph Mark Burnett, BSCE ’94, is a senior civil and structural engineer for BE&K Engineering in Birmingham. Bruce L. Higginbotham, BSCE ’94, has been named vice president of Burk-Kleinpeter Inc.’s Tuscaloosa office.
1999
Felicia Riggs Cook
1986
Steve Cornelius, BSME ’86, was named a UA Department of Mechanical Engineering Fellow.
Robert A. Cummings, MSEE ’99, opened Azalea Engineering LLC, a civil engineering practice with an emphasis on hydrology, storm water and drainage.
Robert A. Cummings
Jonathan W. Woolley, BSME ’99, MSME ’02, MSMtE ’05, PhD ’08, received the best paper award from the American Foundry Society.
2004
Steve Cornelius
Robert Payne, BSMinE ’86, was named chief operating officer at MCoal Corp., a subsidiary of Novadx Ventures Corp.
1989
Mike Jones, BSCE ’89, MSCE ’91, was named a UA Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering Fellow.
Josh Hollingshead, BSCE ’04, MSCE ’06, a structural engineer with Almon Associates in Tuscaloosa, has obtained his professional engineering license.
2009
Brandt Moslener, MSAE ’09, was selected to become the commanding officer of the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School. He will begin as executive officer in January 2011 and take over as commanding officer in June 2012. Brian Sparks, BSChE, joined Summerville, S.C.-based Thrace-LINQ’s sales and marketing team.
Mike Jones
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In Me m o r y
Dr. Edmond T. Miller Dr. Edmond T. Miller died on May 7, 2010. He was a longtime professor in the Department of Civil Engineering.
John Leith Potter, PhD John Leith Potter, PhD, died July 20, 2010. After completing his bachelor’s in aerospace engineering in 1944 and his master’s in engineering in 1949, he worked for Curtiss Wright Corp. in propeller aerodynamics engineering. In 1952, he became chief of the flight and aerodynamics laboratory at Redstone Arsenal and then moved to the von Karman Facility and Aerophysics Branch as chief. He became deputy director of the VKF in 1973 and then joined Sverdrup/ARO Inc. as deputy technical director in 1977. From 1982 to 2002, he became an engineering consultant and research professor at Vanderbilt University. Potter was internationally renowned as a pioneering investigator in the aerodynamics of hypersonic vehicles in rarefied flows and boundary layer transition. Potter received many honors and awards during his distinguished career, including election of Fellow of the American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics, UA College of Engineering 150th Distinguished Engineering Fellow, and recipient of the first Gen. H.H. Arnold Award of the Tennessee Section of the AIAA. For many years, Potter was a member of the national Engineering Accreditation Commission and led teams to evaluate engineering programs in a number of universities.
Miriam Lucille Kellenberger Still Miriam Still, the wife of chemical engineering professor Dr. Arthur John Still, died on Aug. 17, 2009, at the age of 97. She was born and raised in Illinois, and she received her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 1935. The Stills were married for 62 years and have two children, Sandra Joan Still and Barry Noel Still. After Dr. Still’s death, Mrs. Still, her children and friends established the A. John and Miriam K. Still Endowed Engineering Scholarship.
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In Me m o r y
Friends we will miss F r i ends we w i ll m i ss
Milton Abbazia, BSEE ’45, died on March 13, 2010.
Owen N. Layman, BSMinE ’50, died on June 10, 2010.
Robert H. Adair Sr., BS ’58, died on May 18, 2010.
Murry Maisel, BSME ’46 and BSCE ’47, died on April 29, 2010.
Enrique P. Aguilera, BS ’41, died on March 26, 2010. Ernest Manzi, BS ’55, died on Jan. 28, 2010. Walter R. Bloss Jr., BS ’39, died on Feb. 5, 2010. Joe Marsena McKee, BSChE ’57, died on April 2, 2010. Robert Breckenridge, BSAE ’67, died on May 22, 2010. Edmund L. Patton, BSAE ’48, died on March 19, 2010. Edward Hampton Couchman Jr., BSIE ’49, died on May 13, 2009. William Covington Jr., BSEE ’67 and MSEE ’68, died on April 21, 2010.
Joseph R. Pegues, BSCE ’60, died on June 22, 2010. Max W. Perdue, BS ’61, died on June 8, 2010. Robert L. Quarles Jr., BS ’60, died on June 4, 2010.
Paul Day Cribbins, BS ’52, died on Feb. 17, 2010. Darryl L. Dickey, BS ’86, died on May 8, 2010.
Gilbert Eugene Roesler, MSAE ’72, died on March 25, 2010.
James A. Downey III, BSME ’52, died on April 15, 2010.
Fred B. Stevenson, BSEE ’57, died on June 22, 2010.
Jerry B. Franks, BS ’58, died on Feb. 14, 2010.
Robert Larhoy Swearingen, BSCE ’47, died on Feb. 18, 2010.
Tharayil Georgia George, PhD ’85, died on Feb. 6, 2010. Barry Weck, BS ’95, died on June 2, 2010. John A. Gioiello, BSEE ’56, died on Jan. 28, 2010. Jean Lafayette Weed, BS ’53, died on March 30, 2010. Jack Eugene Harden, MSChE ’83, died on May 28, 2010. W. Raymond Wilkins, BSEE ’50, died on April 4, 2010. Joseph C. Hill Jr., BSME ’61, died on Feb. 13, 2010. Cmdr. John Perry Johnson, BSIE ’52, died on April 9, 2010.
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E ven t s
COE SPONSORS BLUE ANGELS On May 8–9, alumni and friends enjoyed the sights and sounds of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport Airshow. From the acrobatic maneuvers of the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team to the speed and thrills of the Blue Angels, guests thoroughly enjoyed frontline views of the spectacular show. SITE STUDENTS EXPERIENCE ENGINEERING The College hosted two weeks of SITE, Student Introduction to Engineering, in July for high school students who have an interest in science, mathematics and engineering.
COE DOES ART PERFORMS ‘OH HORRORS! IT’S MURDER!’ The College of Engineering Does Amateur Radical Theater, known as COE Does ART, performed “Oh Horrors! It’s Murder!” a musical mystery comedy. The mystery arises when a professor lecturing in a museum is found dead and a priceless Egyptian jewel goes missing after a brief power outage. The show was April 16 and 18 in the H.M. Comer theatre.
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How to Engineer a
Great Homecoming
1. Start with good company: engineering alumni and friends 2. Find an outstanding location: the Quad 3. Incorporate fun 4. Enjoy a fantastic meal 5. Reconnect with valued friends 6. Learn what the best and brightest students are doing Tailgating — Engineering Style All engineering alumni and friends are invited to join us as we carry on an engineering tradition. The College of Engineering Homecoming Tailgate Party will be Oct. 16 on the main Quad to cheer for the Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels. Party begins three hours before kickoff.
Nonprofit Organization
Capstone E ngineering S ociety College of Engineering Box 870200 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0200
U.S. Postage PAID Tuscaloosa, AL Permit 16
Homecoming Tail g ate Part y Engineering alumni and friends are invited to join the Capstone Engineering Society on Oct. 16 for this year’s Homecoming Tailgate Party. Join us on the Quad to cheer for the Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels. Capstone Engineering Society members receive two complimentary meals.
Roll Tide !