Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering
Educating Engineers for the 21st Century
Donald P. Shiley Hall
At the time Shiley Hall was dedicated it was one of only 25 buildings on “college campuses nationwide and one of only 313 buildings worldwide to be LEED® Platinum certified. ”
DONALD P. SHILEY HALL’S NEWLY RENOVATED SPACE, AT 80,000 SQUARE FEET, IS DEDICATED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND’S ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE CLASSES. THE HALL WAS AWARDED A LEED ® (LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN) PLATINUM CERTIFICATE, THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE RATING, BY THE UNITED STATES GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS: CIVIL ENGINEERING* • COMPUTER SCIENCE* • ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING* • MECHANICAL ENGINEERING* • ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT GRADUATE PROGRAM: MASTER OF ENGINEERING *Accredited by ABET
Rising Expectations This is the first issue of the annual magazine for the University of Portland’s Shiley School of Engineering that highlights our students and their accomplishments. This is also my first year as Dean and there has been much to appreciate! The Shiley School recently completed a successful building project that increased and enhanced our program space, and with it came an endowment which is raising the level of excellence across the School. Enrollment is up, as are the academic qualifications of our students. And, each member of the faculty is spearheading a multitude of activities from undergraduate research and competitive student clubs to service-based learning. I continue to be amazed at their commitment to our students. Over this past year, the distinctive aspects of the Shiley School have become very clear – hands-on learning, the breadth of the liberal arts core curriculum, an abundance of co-curricular and leadership opportunities, and extensive student-faculty interaction. But, we are not finished. The foundation has been laid for the Shiley School to achieve even more ensuring that our graduates are prepared for engineering in a 21st century global economy. I hope to share those successes with you in future issues. With best regards, Sharon A. Jones, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, Dean
Engineering’s enrollment is at an all-time high with 190 first-year “students – 30% of whom are under-represented minorities and 21% are women. ”
Experience and Opportunity Hands-on Learning
decision makers. All students take core
All engineering and computer science majors
curriculum courses in fine arts, history, litera-
take “Introduction to Engineering,� a project-
ture, philosophy, social sciences, and theology.
oriented course that provides immediate,
We also offer extensive international
hands-on experience. Students design solu-
programs including several designed for
tions to an open-ended challenge and at the
engineering and computer science students.
end of the semester, their projects are put to
Our graduates are prepared not only for
the test to see if the designs can meet the
careers, but for life.
intended goals. These types of experiences continue throughout the undergraduate program culminating with industry-sponsored capstone projects.
Problem-based Leadership Students actively participate in a wide range of problem-based activities that help them develop leadership, team work, and commu-
Liberal Arts Breadth
nication skills. These typically include: Mini-
As a Catholic university, we believe that
Baja, Concrete Canoe, Team Aero, Traffic Bowl,
young men and women should be exposed
Engineers without Borders (Central America),
to a wide range of knowledge and ideas so
Engineering World Health, NASA Robotics,
that they can become ethical leaders and
and the list goes on.
Entrepreneurship The University Center for Entrepreneurship, open to all students, just won the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneuship’s Outstanding Specialty Entrepreneurship Program for an unprecedented second time, defeating runners-up Notre Dame and the University of Maryland. Students can enhance their majors by minoring in entrepreneurship, entering the $100K Challenge competition, or becoming an E-Scholar, which offers unparalleled opportunities to work with mentors, gain international exposure, and start a business.
Engineering Fulbright Scholars Natalie Higgins ’11 graduated in mechanical engineering and minored in physics and mathematics. As a Fulbright scholar in Stuttgart, Germany, Natalie Higgins is working on research that involves Structural Health Monitoring. “The current method of power line cable inspection in Germany is crude and dangerous for the inspector,” says Natalie. “My research team is trying to automate the process.” Natalie uses a Piezoelectric Actuator in the lab to send a pulse through the cable while a Laser Doppler Vibrometer measures the cable’s vibrations. It was Natalie’s high school physics teacher and mentor who suggested she look into engineering. “Engineering combines math with physics, intuition with creativity, and it sounded like a perfect fit for me. I chose UP because I wanted a small school atmosphere with personal attention from my professors, and I was very impressed by the engineering school.”
I loved UP. I was very close with my professors and made friends “quickly. My courses were challenging and I liked that students were able to become involved with many extracurricular activities. ” Natalie was involved in the Honors Program, the engineering honor society (Tau Beta Pi), physics and mechanical engineering clubs, and completed research with faculty member Tim Doughty. In addition to the research, Natalie has learned more about herself – what characteristics stay and which adapt. She will take this knowledge with her when she attends the California Institute of Technology next year. Eventually, Natalie wants to be a professor, specializing in earthquakes and more effective warning systems.
THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND IS THE TOP PRODUCER IN THE NATION AMONG PEER INSTITUTIONS OF FULBRIGHT AWARDS FOR STUDENTS, ACCORDING TO THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION – WITH TEN STUDENTS RECEIVING THE AWARD IN 2011.
OVER 20% OF RECENT ENGINEERING GRADUATES STUDIED ABROAD FOR AT LEAST SIX WEEKS.
Sean Frederick ’11, the University’s valedictorian, majored in mechanical engineering and Spanish. Sean is pursuing an engineering masters of science degree at the University of Liverpool in England. The United Kingdom Fulbright graduate studies positions are some of the most prestigious and competitive – with only 45 grants awarded from more than 600 applicants nationwide. One of his courses, Engineering Application of Lasers, deals with the evolving use of laser technology in a variety of cutting-edge fields. Sean believes his education at UP prepared him well for his graduate studies. Particularly in the UK, masters-level students are expected to educate themselves in the things in which they are interested. “UP, with its emphasis on self-improvement and knowledge for its own sake, instilled this in me from the beginning, so I am a step ahead.”
My courses provided me with an excellent grounding in basic “engineering concepts and techniques of analysis. And, perhaps more importantly, my degree taught me how to learn. ” Being so far away from home has been difficult at times, but Sean wouldn't have it any other way. “I believe I have become more resilient, better at controlling stress, and vastly more educated in the world and its people.” As a student, Sean also minored in computer science and was a member of the Air Force Reserve Officer’s Training Corps. Sean wants to be a developmental engineer in the Air Force. He also intends to pursue a doctorate in mechanical engineering and work on research and development at the Department of Defense.
International Exposure Laura Coulter graduates in Spring 2012 with degrees in mechanical engineering and French studies with plans to work as an engineer in a French-speaking country. As part of program requirements, she spent a semester studying in Nantes, France. The University offers a variety of global study experiences that vary from six weeks to a year long, and many are tailored to specific majors. Laura merged two of her passions at the University. Of her experience in Nantes, she said, “We had lectures in museums and wandered the streets learning about architecture, with professors only speaking French. I spent a lot of time with my host family, and I commuted on the local trams and trains. With my conversations solely in another language, I was able to make so many friends. I can’t wait to go back again.”
Studying in Nantes was a wonderful and different experience. I joke “that I became French during my four month stay. It was a complete immersion. I became absorbed in the culture. ” “I have been reflecting on all the opportunities the University has provided me. Apart from excellent classes, the University has wonderful staff and professors who truly care about students and encourage growth both in and out of the classroom.” Laura is also active in extracurricular engineering activities. Last year, she and a friend organized a group to compete in NASA’s Lunabotics Mining Competition. That experience inspired them, with assistance from professor Deborah Schenberger, to create an official Robotics Club. Laura served as the club’s secretary, and also as the president of Tau Beta Pi, the University’s engineering honor society.
Industry-Sponsored Capstones
The Shiley School of Engineering believes that students are best “prepared by using real-world projects mentored by both industry sponsors and faculty. ” Light Rail Project
tion required to work as an engineer as well
As part of their final exam, five senior civil
as the ability to create opportunities and net-
engineering students presented designs for
work throughout my future career.”
an actual project that is currently being
Civil engineering professor Matthew Kuhn
worked on by their industry sponsor, David
had weekly discussions with the group and
Evans and Associates, a premier engineering
tracked their progress with their industry
and planning company in the Pacific North-
sponsor. “The students use their talents to
west. The firm is designing a 260' elevated
make unique contributions to an important
structure that will span a creek and be used
problem,” Kuhn said. “The team came up
by Portland’s network of light rail trains.
with a creative design and solution to moving people around the Portland area while
Real-World Experience
preserving the surrounding environment.”
“The capstone allowed us to fully apply our engineering knowledge in a real-world situa-
Industry Relevance
tion,” group member Andrew Salmeri said.
David Evans and Associates vice president
“My education at the University of Portland
Gregg Weston ’75 added, “It’s really impor-
and this project have given me the founda-
tant to have projects such as this one, as it required a lot of political awareness and
Pictured above: civil engineering students
public policy, which is typical for an engineer.
John Megrditchian, Michael Pratt, Andrew
The Kellogg Bridge project had design input
Salmeri, Eric Schnepel, and Rei Uesugi present
from the public as well as the city. The
their senior design project, the Kellogg Elevated
students took these technical requirements
Structure for the Portland Milwaukie Light Rail.
and came up with a viable design.”
Superb Facilities Donald P. Shiley Hall
Green Design
With support from over 300 alumni and
Some of the visible elements of Shiley
friends, the engineering program is thriving.
Hall’s commitment to environmental
A lead gift from Darlene Shiley and her late
responsibility include its eco-roof with
husband Donald ’51, as well as gifts from
wind cowls and a solar photovoltaic
others, including Ed ’56 and Sharon Sweo,
system, a bioswale, electronically tinted
resulted in the creation of a state-of-the-art
windows, and 100% recycled, compressed
engineering facility. The Shileys’ gift also
paper countertops.
endowed the School, which is now proudly named the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering. Today, Shiley Hall has 80,000 square
in the Green Building Category from the city
feet of space. It has tiered classrooms, study
of Portland • Grand Award for Building Tech-
rooms, and 17,000 square feet dedicated to
nology Systems from the American Council
project research and construction with
of Engineering Companies of Oregon for in-
another 3,800 square feet for student projects.
novations in the mechanical and electrical
There are labs for electronics, manufacturing,
systems • Illumination Award of Merit from
thermodynamics, fluids, power systems,
IES (Illuminations Engineering Society) for its
computer vision, environmental engineering,
innovative and energy-saving lighting design.
experimental mechanics, robotics, biomechanics, and surveying, as well as extensive shop facilities for woodworking, welding, and precision-machining of metals. A dedicated teaching laboratory for computing, provides access to modern hardware and software, development tools, and programming languages.
Green Recognition Shiley Hall has garnered numerous awards for its sustainable design, including: Leed ® Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council • BEST (Business for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow) Award
About the University 2011 Highlights • The University is first in the nation for the number of students receiving Fulbright Awards for study and research abroad among peer institutions, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. • Bloomberg Businessweek has named the University the top school in Oregon for “return on investment.” • For the 17th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report listed the University as one of the top ten schools in the West among 115 master’s level universities. • Washington Monthly magazine listed the University as first in the nation for service among 553 master’s level universities. • The University is named as one of the nation’s 311 “greenest” colleges by the Princeton Review in its second annual guide to the nation’s most sustainable schools. • The University is ranked third nationally in producing Peace Corps volunteers among its peers, with 23 undergraduate and two graduate alumni currently serving. • Twenty Portland-area high school valedictorians are attending the University in a study by The Oregonian – more than all other private colleges in Portland combined. • The University is 13th nationally for the number of students studying abroad for more than one semester among peer institutions.
Our alumni are well prepared – in 2011 recent engineering graduates “scored a 96% passing rate on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam, well ahead of the national average passing rate of 77%. ”
donald p. shiley school of engineering 5000 North Willamette Blvd. Portland, or 97203-5798