11 capstone engineer - university of alabama college of...

1 1CapstoneENGINEER

Fal l 2009

For members of UA’s Engineers Without Borders, a service-learning trip to Southeast Asia drives home their potential to make a difference worldwide.

Touching Lives Through Service

Capstone Engineering Society1-800-333-8156

Paul W. LammersNational Chair, Board of Directors

Charles L. Karr, Ph.D.Dean, College of Engineering

Brandi L. LamonDirector, External Affairs and Development

Nancy HolmesCoordinator, Capstone Engineering Society

Mary WymerEditor

Issue No. 40Capstone Engineer is published in

the spring and fall by the

Capstone Engineering Society.

Tori E. NelkoDesigner

Benita CreppsProofreader

Jeff Hanson, Samantha Hernandez, Zach Riggins, Laura Shill, Mary WymerPhotography

Address correspondenceto the editor: The University of Alabama

Capstone Engineering Society

College of Engineering, Box 870200

Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0200

Visit the College of Engineering

Web site at www.eng.ua.edu.

The University of Alabama is an

equal-opportunity educational

institution/employer. • MC7940

Contents

2 Alumni International Ambitions

6 Not Your Average Road Trip

10 Touching Lives Through Service

12 News

17 Surveying the College

23 Alumni Notes

25 In Memory

27 Events

1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1

1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1

1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1

D e a r A l u m n i a n d F r i e n d s ,One of the many things I love about being dean

of UA’s College of Engineering is interacting with prospective and current students. Possessing a unique perspective of our world, perhaps because of the optimism of youth, our students bring not only diverse backgrounds but also varied ideas into our classrooms and lectures. By adding shared experiences to book knowledge, our students develop into well-rounded individuals and engineers who are better able to serve society.

At the Capstone, we strongly encourage all students to supplement their education through the many varieties of extracurricular activities. From intramural sports to the arts programs to international endeavors, our students are able to take full advantage of everything offered at the University. I believe that international expeditions specifically add experiential

learning that cannot be gained from books and lectures.I can attest to the benefits of international experiences firsthand — my

family started taking international trips a few years ago to help my sons learn how various cultures live. From etiquette to social norms, my sons look at things differently and now question why we do things a certain way in the United States. For example, my boys found it interesting that the dinner hour in Spain is typically around 10 p.m.; so they ask questions, which spurs learning.

In addition to personal travel, I have been expanding the College’s boundaries through trips to Cuba and South America. From looking at education partnerships to possible economic development opportunities, these trips have proven beyond a doubt that there are good people everywhere, and we should never let our differences interfere with possible relationships.

I hope you enjoy this issue of the Capstone Engineer, which explores our international boundaries through the eyes of alumni and students. As Thomas Friedman so eloquently wrote, “The World is Flat,” these alumni and student stories prove that engineering is also global.

Dean’s message

D R . C h A R L E S L . K A R R

D E A N

11 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 Capstone Engineer

2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1Capstone Engineer

Nathan Vaughn and his family at the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Raymond Lenski at Tower Bridge in London

Merry Kuchle’s first trip back to the Capstone with her son

3Capstone Engineer0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1

With the global work force expanding, engineering functions are vital to company survival. Embracing and respecting people of all cultures and diverse backgrounds requires an atmosphere of continuous learning. Our international engineering alumni are gaining new knowledge about various cultures, yet they are also proud to be Americans.

So, how does a graduating engineer leaving Tuscaloosa take that international leap? It is a hard decision that incorporates more than just the job but must also include family. From parents to spouses to children, support for the international lifestyle is a must for family cohesiveness.

“Moving international is a big decision, even bigger with two aspiring careers, and harder when

you love your current work,” said Raymond Lenski. “When we decided to make the leap into the international community, I was off to work for NATO and my wife was looking for work as an international tax lawyer in the Netherlands.”

Long before graduation, Lenski had international ambitions as he spent a month in France and had an offer to work at an aerospace firm if he learned French. Lenski, who received a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering in 2000 and a master’s in computer science in 2004, thought that would have really been a key possibility, but said he has never been gifted in foreign languages and thought an international career was beyond reach.

Taking the advice of Dr. Mike Freeman, one of Lenski’s

From Argentina to Vietnam and everywhere in between, engineering alumni have embraced new cultures, learned new languages and excelled at solving problems. For more than 250 engineering and computer science graduates, their everyday experiences have intersected with international lifestyles as they work in various locations throughout the world.

Continued on page 4

aerospace professors, he capitalized on an opportunity during one of the American

Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics European conferences, and he built key relationships with members of NATO. As a senior scientist at NC3A working in missile defense, he works on solving technical issues to aid the alliance through software prototyping.

During Randall Cassity’s senior year of mechanical engineering in 1981, he first started exploring international options. his mother knew in her heart that he would be going abroad, and fortunately his new wife was also supportive of that decision. Two weeks after

graduating, he started his first job in Singapore working with an offshore Southeast Asian based oil and gas

drilling contractor.“In my case, international work

experiences came early, and I feel I reached further levels of responsibility than I would have been exposed to solely in a domestic operation,” said Cassity. “Nothing is more valuable to a new entry career than field experience, and so much of my early career was in the field, in some cases with job responsibilities typically held by senior engineers back in more mature markets of home or more fully developed countries.”

Cassity, who is originally from Oxford, Ala., is now living in ho Chi

Minh City, Vietnam, and providing key technical planning support to a $3 billion offshore development project, which will secure a supply of natural gas to fuel the electricity demand of Vietnam. This major construction project will last approximately eight years and involve many environmental, marine and subsurface technical issues.

Throughout his 28 years abroad, family has been a constant. Cassity has managed to instill the traditions of the Capstone in his three children, Jared, Audrey, and Sarah. The first two were born in Singapore and the last in Bangkok, and all three are now enrolled at the Capstone.

Even though family support is crucial, family is still dearly missed by those living abroad. For most alumni, family visits are more special because they are not as frequent with the long distances.

“I miss a lot of things, like good barbecue, my car, the sunshine and, of course, my family and friends,” said Nathan Vaughn, who now lives

Our international engineering alumni are gaining new knowledge about various cultures, yet they are also proud to be Americans.

Nathan Vaughn hosting an Alabama football party in 2008

Raymond Lenski in the Netherlands Keukenhof Gardens



in London. Fortunately for Vaughn, there is a good group of Alabama alumni in London that get together to watch football games and cheer for the Crimson Tide.

Vaughn’s international aspirations began while he was working on his master’s in business administration. After receiving his bachelor’s in industrial engineering in 2003, he thought about applying for a job with A.P. Moller (Maersk) shipping company in Copenhagen, but decided to complement his engineering education with the business acumen. During his second year of the MBA program, a guest speaker from hess Corp. discussed mineral rights and global negotiations in the petroleum business.

“I was immediately intrigued, and rushed home to change into a suit and interviewed that very afternoon,” explained Vaughn.

By June 2005, he was hired and started working as an exploration business adviser out of houston, Texas. In 2007, he was offered the opportunity to relocate to London

and support the Europe, Africa and Middle East Exploration Team for hess Corp.

Family is what led Merry Spooner Kuchle to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. After receiving her bachelor’s in chemical engineering in 1999, she began her career in Louisiana. Soon thereafter, she moved to Austin, Texas, to work at Emerson Process Management, where she met her husband. Five years later, they moved to Calgary, which is his home.

“It has been interesting living in Canada,” said Kuchle. “Everyone assumes because Canada is so close and the people look the

same that Canadians are just like Americans. I have had many unique experiences since moving here, from going to the Calgary Stampede (rodeo) to learning to ski in the Canadian Rockies.”

Fond memories of the Capstone bond these engineering alumni as family. From time strolling on the Quad to specific professors that made a lasting impact, The University of Alabama family continues to grow beyond our national borders.

“ In my case, international work experiences came early, and I feel I reached further levels of responsibility than I would have been exposed to solely in a domestic operation.” —Randall Cassity

Merry Kuchle at the Calgary Stampede Randall Cassity at the Saigon TET New Year celebrations

0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1


For some students, it is the thrill of learning a new culture. For others, it is the benefit of furthering one’s education. Either way, students in The University of Alabama College of Engineering are pushing boundaries by exploring cultural and academic opportunities found only through international study.

By studying abroad, students

immerse themselves in other

cultures so as to experience the

destination in a way that is beyond

the average tourist experience.

No matter why they chose to

study abroad, these travel-savvy

students are reaping the benefits

of supplementing a top-notch

education with international

experiences.

Catherine Carter Sims, a junior

majoring in civil engineering, will

travel to Florence next summer to

learn more about the culture and

lifestyle that Italians experience every

day. More important, she hopes

her travels will help her learn more

about herself, thus contributing to

her growth as a person and her

understanding of people and things

from around the world.

“I first traveled to Italy in

middle school, and the magic

of experiencing a country unlike

my own left me wanting more,”

explained Sims. “I’m looking forward

to my experience next summer

because it is sure to make me a

more cultured person as I can learn

and expand upon my knowledge of

the world while getting to experience

something new and fascinating. I

feel that this insight about myself will

guide my career path.”

Whether they are looking to

further their education, learn about

a new culture or explore future

career options, students have found

that they return home from their

international experience with a

deeper appreciation for the world

around them.

having already studied in China,

Turkey and Austria, Jameson Prater,

a senior majoring in mechanical

engineering, maintains that meeting

new people and creating lasting

relationships with others are the

most rewarding aspects of studying

abroad. he did just that while he

studied in Belgium this summer.

“The most rewarding aspect of

traveling to other countries is the

insight you gain of the culture and

NOT your average

ROAD TRIPhow engineering students are supplementing a top-notch education with global experienceBy Allison Bridges

anika Kuczynski


the friendships made with people

from all over the world,” explained

Prater. “Just spending a couple of

weeks in a foreign country will give

you a better appreciation for the

people who live there, and that is

something you can’t get any other

way than to physically visit another

country for yourself.”

Anika Kuczynski, a junior

majoring in civil, construction and

environmental engineering, traveled

to Germany this summer to research

the effects of global warming on

coastal communities and marine

life. Even though she considers her

experience to be invaluable, the

opportunity to actually take part in

gathering specimens and carry out

different research processes was

what she found to be most exciting.

“My internship was about more

than just doing research,” explained

Kuczynski. “I had the chance to

go snorkeling to gather specimens

as well as learn different lab

procedures, and I even had the

opportunity to take a trip on one

of the Leibniz Institute of Marine

Sciences’ research ships. My time

at the IFM-GEOMAR in Kiel gave

me the insight into how research is

done at a leading institution.”

As far as furthering their

engineering education is concerned,

these students feel that by

supplementing their understanding

of U.S. engineering practices with

the knowledge of how other cultures

communicate and live day-to-day,

they are learning to solve problems

and communicate in ways that are

crucial to engineers.

As a senior double majoring in

electrical engineering and Spanish,

Cory McInvale studied in Spain to

increase his fluency in Spanish.

he feels he developed a greater

awareness of other cultures, which

he believes has contributed to his

“ The more that we understand other groups of people and their cultures, the more we will be able to work with others in solving the various problems facing our world today.”

—Cory McInvale

anika Kuczynski Mary Kathryn Jones Joshua Davenport Cory McInvale

Continued on page 8


value as an engineer.

“This experience has not only

increased my knowledge of the

Spanish language, but it has also

exposed me to many different

cultures,” said McInvale. “The more

that we understand other groups of

people and their cultures, the more

we will be able to work with others in

solving the various problems facing

our world today.”

Joshua Davenport, a senior

majoring in electrical and

computer engineering, chose to

study abroad for both educational

and personal reasons. he studied

English at Oxford University

throughout July and gained

engineering insight that he

wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

“As a future computer engineer,

I know that user accessibility is

a prime concern when working

with computers,” said Davenport.

“It is crucial to travel around the

world to meet new people so as

to understand who will be using

your products or designs and to

increase user accessibility. It is

that understanding that sets great

engineers apart.”

Even though international study

sets great engineers apart, it is

equally essential for UA students to

familiarize themselves with areas of

international production and global

convergence that are common in

today’s society.

For instance, Kuczynski feels

that international study is valuable

to students of all disciplines

because of the globalization trend.

“Globalization is inevitable, and only

through international experience

can UA students expect to compete

with or be involved in the global

market,” said Kuczynski.

Mary Kathryn Jones, a sophomore

majoring in mechanical

engineering who spent most of

July in Oxford studying English,

agrees in that international travel

is a unique opportunity that

should be taken while students

have the chance to travel.

“It is important for UA students to

learn about other cultures and enjoy

this time in our lives when we can

take the time to travel internationally,”

said Jones. “The chance to receive

an education while visiting and living

in another country is a once-in-a-

lifetime opportunity.”

“ It is crucial to travel around the world to meet new people so as to understand who will be using your products or designs and to increase user accessibility. It is that understanding that sets great engineers apart.”

—Joshua Davenport

0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1

anika KuczynskiMary Kathryn Jones Joshua Davenport

The Donor Advised Fund


They traveled to Peru to improve drinking water and wastewater systems in two villages. They significantly improved plumbing in several homes and restored an old baseball field in hale County, Ala. They studied residential water sources in Cambodia as part of an ongoing quest to boost their quality.

They are members of UA’s Engineers Without Borders, and when they hear of someone in need, they are there to help — no matter how far they have to travel to do it.

EWB’s mission is to assist developing communities, locally, nationally and internationally. Through overseas service, the members of EWB are exposed to new challenges and ideas, and their understanding of U.S. engineering practices and methodology is supplemented by experience with those of other countries.

Ynhi Thai, a senior majoring in chemical and bio-logical engineering, has played a key role in many of EWB’s initiatives over the past several years. By the end of her very first chapter meeting, she was hooked

on the idea of implement-ing sustainable engineer-ing solutions for disadvan-taged communities. Since 2005, she has partici-pated in numerous EWB service-learning projects, both around the state and around the world. She attributes her motivation to her background and family upbringing.

In 1991, Thai, her parents and grandmother immi-grated to the United States from Vietnam in hopes of a better future. Despite a difficult beginning, Thai says, her parents worked tirelessly to attain career success. “My work ethic comes from my determination to prove that my parents’ perseverance was not wasted,” she says.

TouChing Lives ThRough seRviCe

For members of UA’s Engineers Without Borders, a service-learning trip to Southeast Asia drives home their potential to make a difference worldwide.

By Allison Bridges and Mary Wymer

“ The information and suggestions we provided will help many people who currently have no access to clean water, and it will significantly improve their way of life.” —Lissa Petry

Left to right:Yhni Thai with a hmong villager at her shop in North Vietnam. Thai is wearing a traditional headdress make by the villager.Lissa Petry, Dr. Joe Brown and a Lien Aid worker collecting water samples at a Cambodian schoolhouse.Sonja Gregorowicz collecting water samples from a pagoda in Banteay Khmer Village, Cambodia.


She also credits the local citizens who supported her family during their early years in America. “These people were devoted to public service and to helping my family,” Thai says. “I have a sincere desire to make a difference and serve where there is a disparity, as my success is a product of the hope and generosity of others.”

EWB’s most recent service-learning project strengthened Thai’s role as both a leader and international volunteer. Exposed to the issues of developing countries during EWB’s previous trip to Peru, she was inspired to help those living in the villages within her birth country: Vietnam.

Under the guidance of EWB’s faculty advis-ers, Drs. Philip and Pauline Johnson, Thai began planning the project in fall 2007. her initial goal was to replace unstable bridges with concrete footbridges in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region. The construction and travel costs became too great, however, and the team switched focus. Partnering with Dr. Joe Brown, assistant professor of New College and biological sciences, they formed a plan to test water sources for a pilot treatment plant and evaluate the ef-fectiveness of existing filters.

The trip, which took place in May 2009, was divided into two different projects. EWB first worked with Lien Aid, an organization that provides high-quality, low-cost drinking water to rural Cambodia, by collecting water samples from about 20 different sources in Kampong Speu province. They analyzed these for arsenic, ther-motolerant coliform bacteria and ph. For the second project, in Siem Reap province, the group gathered water samples around the village and communicated with villagers to determine the effectiveness of a recently installed filtration system.

For Thai, working with 10 other students determined to make a difference was one of the most rewarding aspects of the trip. “We recruited a great team, and their hard work and dedication are testimony to each member’s exceptional ability, character and leadership,” Thai says.

Although most of the team fell ill during the trip — one student was hospitalized with acute amoebic dysentery—they managed to complete each project on schedule. “Despite feeling sick, our students got out of bed and were determined to achieve the goals we had set for each day,” says Thai.

Project participants maintain that the gratification that came from upgrading the villagers’ living conditions was worth the discomfort of working while ill.

“Cambodians pay about five times more than Ameri-cans do for water, and it is completely untreated. Seeing the wells and ponds that some of the villagers drink from will break your heart,” says Lissa Petry, a sopho-more majoring in civil engineering. “The information and suggestions we provided will help many people who currently have no access to clean water, and it will significantly improve their way of life.”

Sonja Gregorowicz, a senior in chemical and biologi-cal engineering, was moved by the opportunity to meet with local villagers, listen to their stories and learn about the problems they encounter on an everyday basis.

“We were able to become personally invested in our project, as locals were eager to share stories about the history of the Khmer people and the village’s recent geno-cide and land-mine problems,” says Gregorowicz. “Gain-ing an understanding of how small projects, such as our own, can collectively support larger educational efforts and change public policy was personally rewarding.”

Dr. Philip Johnson, associate professor of civil engi-neering, says international experiences are increasingly important for future engineers because of the growing globalization of the industry.

“To be a practicing engineer today, one must experi-ence the many extremes of living around the world,” Johnson says. “Students need to understand the world and realize the possibilities and places that lie beyond their backyards.”

“Engineers are problem solvers. When we become aware of a new problem, we set out to fix it,” explains Gregorowicz. “By learning about the extent of problems faced by people in the villages of Cambodia and becom-ing directly involved in projects that affect them, I gained a new appreciation for the ethics of engineering.”

“ Gaining an understanding of how small projects, such as our own, can collectively support larger educational efforts and change public policy was personally rewarding.”

—Sonja Gregorowicz

EWB students looking at a water tank for an elementary school in Cambodia

0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1


12 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1Capstone Engineer

UA HONORS THREE DISTINGUISHED ENGINEERING FELLOWSThe College of Engineering honored three alumni by inducting them into its class

of 2009 Distinguished Engineering Fellows.

Robert M. Lightfoot Jr. — BsMe ’86Robert M. Lightfoot Jr. has been a model leader at NASA for the past 20 years. After graduating from the Capstone with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Lightfoot began his NASA career at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville as a test engineer and program manager. In 1999, he joined the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi as chief of propulsion test operations, and he was named director of the Propulsion Test Directorate in 2002. Lightfoot’s devotion to NASA brought him to the nation’s capital in 2003 following the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. Serving as an assistant associate administrator for the space shuttle program, he led the headquarters’ space shuttle return-to-flight efforts and worked on the “Vision for Space Exploration.” Currently, Lightfoot is the acting director of the Marshall Space Flight Center and is responsible for managing one of NASA’s largest field installations and for leading more than 8,400 civil service and contractor employees.

John s. Richardson — BsPete ’79; MsPete ’83John S. Richardson has dedicated his career to Energen Resources Corp., beginning at the company as a production engineer in 1985, and since serving as manager and general manger of conventional opera-tions, vice president of acquisitions and engineering, and executive vice president. Currently, as president and chief operating officer, Richardson is responsible for directing all aspects of the company, including acquisitions, exploration, exploitation and production activities, as well as playing a chief role in determin-ing company strategy. he has recommended and executed the investment of more than $1.3 billion in ac-quisitions and was instrumental in the subsequent investment of over $1.8 billion in development capital. This growth has resulted in Energen Resources becoming one of the 20 largest independent oil and gas companies in the United States and the largest onshore producer in Alabama.

Angela elaine summers — PhD ’93Dr. Angela Summers’ contributions to chemical engineering have been numerous, whether as a research as-sociate, project engineer or as president of her own company. In 1999, she founded SIS-Tech Solutions LP. As president and owner, Summers acts as working manager of engineering and consulting, specializing in the assessment, design, programming, operation, maintenance and long-term support of safety instrument-ed systems used to prevent catastrophic releases in the chemical process industry. Summers also serves as working manager of product development at SIS-Tech Applications, which has received nine patents to date. Under her leadership, SIS-Tech has grown to more than 40 employees.

In 2008, Summers and her husband recognized the importance and lasting effect of their education from the Capstone by endowing a scholarship in honor of her former adviser and teacher, Dr. Irvin A. Jefcoat.

From left to right: John S. Richardson, Dr. Angela Elaine Summers, Robert M. Lightfoot Jr. and Dean Chuck Karr.

News

COVINGTON AWARDED OUTSTANDING ALUMNI VOLUNTEER AWARD The University of Alabama College of Engineering awarded John W. Covington III with the 2009 Out-standing Alumni Volunteer Award.

Throughout his career, Covington has demon-strated his love and loyalty to UA by serving on the chemical and biological engineering advisory board, the Capstone Engineering Society Board and the College’s Leadership Board. he has been dedicated to each of these boards, serving as the chair of the chemical and biological engineering advisory board since 2004 and as the chair of the Capstone Engi-neering Society from 2007 to 2009.

Covington recognizes the importance of scholar-ships, and, in 2007, he and his wife established the Linda T. Covington and John W. Covington III Endowed Scholarship. he also was instrumental in leading the chemical engineering alumni in an effort to establish the Gary April Endowed Scholarship.

Covington received his bachelor’s degree in chemi-cal engineering from The University of Alabama in 1972. In 2003, he was inducted as a Distinguished Engineering Fellow by the College of Engineering.

13Capstone Engineer0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0

UA ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF SUCCESSFUL CAPITAL CAMPAIGNThe University of Alabama has announced that it raised more than $612 million in the “Our Students. Our Future.” capital campaign that ended on June 30. The original goal of $500 million established at the start of the campaign in 2002 was met in May 2008.

“The campaign focused on raising scholarship support for our students and providing facilities that will en-hance our ability to provide our students with a high-quality education,” said UA President Robert E. Witt. “The overwhelming support of our alumni, fans and friends has been evident throughout the capital campaign, and we sincerely appreciate their investment in the future of The University of Alabama.”

In addition to being the largest and most successful capital campaign in UA’s history, the “Our Students. Our Future.” campaign achieved several other milestones:

• The campaign received 130 gifts of $1 million or more.• More than 100,000 individuals made a gift to the campaign.• UA faculty and staff contributed more than $11.6 million.• Students contributed $289,093, which includes the student-run SPIRIT campaign.

News

NUCOR SPONSORS SITENucor Corp. recently established the Nucor Student Intro-duction to Engineering Support Fund, which supports the College’s summer program for high school students. Meeting at the College included, left to right: Wayne Robinson, Nucor talent director; Lynsey Dill, coordinator of engineering student recruitment; Greg Singleton, director of engineering student services; Dr. John Wiest, associate dean for research; Randy Skagen, vice president and general manager of Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa; Chris hope, Nucor human resources supervisor.

14 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1Capstone Engineer

BIG THANKSWe appreciate our recent partners in UA’s College of Engineering family for their

support of our students and programs.

• American Cast Iron Pipe Co. for continuing support of the ACIPCO Engineering Scholarship Program

• AT&T for continuing support of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Endowed Support Fund

• 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. W. Paul Bowers for continuing support of the Double “A” 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

• Dr. Robin B. and Mr. William P. Buckelew for continuing support of engineering scholarships

• CDG Engineers & Associates for continuing support of the CDG Engineers Civil Engineering Scholarship

• Mr. and Mrs. W. Kent Cooper for continuing support of the Robert Steele Shook and George Allen Shook

Endowed Mineral Engineering Fund

• Davis Architects Inc. for continuing support of the Davis Architects Excellence in Construction Engineering

Support Fund

• Ms. Marce Fuller for continuing support of the Marce Fuller Endowed Scholarship

• Golden & Associates Construction LLC for continuing support of the Golden & Associates Endowed Support

Fund

• KBR/BE&K Inc. for continuing support of the BE&K Endowed Scholarship

• Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis for continuing support of the Lewis Family Endowed Chemical Engineering

Discretionary Fund

• Mr. Hau-An Liu for continuing support of the Chemical Engineering Endowed Discretionary Fund

• Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. MacKay for continuing support of the Rick and Barrett MacKay Chemical

Engineering Discretionary Fund

• Mr. Guy K. Mitchell for establishing the Guy K. Mitchell Jr. Endowed Scholarship

• Nucor Corp. for establishing the Nucor Student Introduction to Engineering Support Fund

• Mr. M.A. Oztekin and the Kent Corp. for continuing support of the Oztekin Family Endowed Scholarship

• TTL Inc. for continuing support of the H. Dean McClure Endowed Scholarship, the James C. Bambarger

Endowed Scholarship and the TTL Inc. Endowed Engineering Scholarship

• Vulcan Materials Co. for continuing support of the Vulcan Materials Co. Endowed Support Fund

News

� �

15Capstone Engineer0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0News

STUDENTS SAY THANKS!With rising tuition costs, some students would not be able to attend the Capstone

without the generous support of our alumni and friends who have endowed scholarships. The following are newly endowed scholarships, for which the

College and our students say, “ThANKS!”

henry hoyt and Marlyn Mceachern harris for the

Henry Hoyt Harris and Marlyn

McEachern Harris Endowed

Scholarship supporting

students in electrical and

computer engineering

Charles and Jean helms for

the Sanda B. and Louise K.

helms Endowed Scholarship

and the Roscoe R. and

Melrose M. Gibson Endowed


students in engineering

Bobbie and F. William Keith Jr. for endowing the Margaret

Gipson and Frank William

Keith Endowed Scholarship

for mechanical engineering

students

Hugh and Regina Mathews and other friends for the

Daniel S. and Linda C.

Turner Endowed Scholarship

supporting students in civil

engineering

Jack W. and Gweneth M. MacKay for the Jack W.

MacKay and Gweneth M.

MacKay Endowed Scholarship

supporting students in civil

engineering

Douglas and Karen Moore for

establishing the Douglas A.

and Karen M. Moore Endowed

Scholarship for engineering

students

Family and friends of A. John Still for the A. John

and Miriam K. Still Endowed Engineering Scholarship

supporting students in chemical engineering

John and Jean Ward for the

John and Jean Ward Endowed


students in engineering

Jack and Rick MacKay

hugh and Regina Mathews

John and Jean Ward with their daughter, Sandra Gossett

� �

Bobbie and F. William Keith

Karen and Douglas Moore

Charles and Jean helms

Henry Hoyt and Marlyn McEachern Harris

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

Come By

Click

1-800-333-8156

174 H.M. Comer

eng.ua.edu

Show your pride in the College of Engineering with top-quality apparel and gifts.

17Capstone Engineer0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0Surveying the College

ACOFF RECEIVES UA ENGINEERING’S T. MORRIS HACKNEY LEADERSHIP AWARD Dr. Viola Acoff, professor and head of metallurgical and materials engineering

and interim head of chemical and biological engineering, received the 2009 T. Morris Hackney Endowed Faculty Leadership Award. The award honors a faculty member who exemplifies the constant guidance and leadership necessary to make the College exceptional.

Acoff began working at The University of Alabama in 1994 as an assistant pro-fessor of metallurgical and materials engineering. She was promoted to associate professor in 2000 and then promoted to professor in 2004. In 2008, Acoff was named the interim head of chemical and biological engineering, and recently named head of metallurgical and materials engineering.

Acoff has been active in various areas of research and has been awarded more than $5 million in externally funded research grants, including a National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 1997. She also has been instrumental

in developing and leading the Introduction to Science Faculty from historically Black Colleges and Universities to Materials Science and Engineering Program. In addition, Acoff has more than 65 reviewed publications and more than 100 conference presentations, including 13 invited talks.

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.

REDDY RECEIVES TWO METALLURGICAL AWARDSDr. Ramana G. Reddy, ACIPCO Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineer-ing, was named the recipient of two awards from The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society for his outstanding accomplishments. he was the recipient of the Extraction and Processing Distinguished Service Award and the Extraction and Processing Science Award.

JOHNSON SELECTED TO ATTEND ENGINEERING SUMMIT IN SPAINDr. Pauline Johnson, professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering, was selected to attend the Women’s International Research Engineering Summit in Barcelona, Spain. The summit, known as WIRES, is the first international summit for women who are interested in pursuing international collaborative research opportuni-ties. Participants chosen to attend the summit will focus on sustainable energy systems, micro and nano technolo-gy, and simulation-based engineering. Fifty female engineers from the United States and 50 female engineers from other countries representing various engineering disciplines and a wide range of institutions will attend. Johnson was selected out of more than 236 applications.

UA SAE WINS OUTSTANDING BRANCH AWARDUA’s Society of Automotive Engineers collegiate chapter received the 2009 Honeywell Outstanding Branch Award. This is the second consecutive year UA’s SAE has received this award, which recognizes SAE collegiate branches for exemplary performance in the areas of technical meetings, networking opportunities, Collegiate Design Series competitions, membership and recruitment, and community service programs.

18 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1Capstone Engineer Surveying the College

Dr. Richard C. BradtAfter 15 years of service, Dr. Richard C. Bradt, Alton N. Scott Professor of Materials Engineering, retired in August 2009 from The University of Alabama. Bradt served the College throughout the years as professor and department head of metallurgical and materials engineering. In 2003, he was named the Alton N. Scott Professor.

Bradt started with the College in 1994 as department head, and his research focused on the various areas of ceramics and mechanical proper-ties of materials. he is an internationally recognized researcher and has received numerous honors and awards for his teaching and research. In 1998, the University awarded him the John P. Burnum Outstanding Faculty Award, and in 2000 he received the Academic Achievement Award from the Ceramic Society of Japan. Bradt was recognized with the Fellow designation from two professional societies, the ASM International and the American Ceramic Society. Through his vast research, he has published more than 400 papers in the areas of ceramics and materials.

Dr. Daniel s. TurnerAfter more than 33 years, Dr. Daniel S. Turner, professor of civil, con-struction and environmental engineering, will retire from the Capstone in December 2009. Turner served the College in many ways throughout the years, including department head, professor, director and adviser.

Turner started with the College in 1976, and he was promoted to head of the civil engineering department in 1984. His research focused on traffic operations, traffic safety, highway design, transportation management, finance and policy, and homeland security. Turner has more than 300 publications and 500 presentations at technical and professional meetings.

In 1998, Turner was named as the founding director of the University Transportation Center for Alabama, which conducts transportation educa-tion, research and technology transfer activities using faculty members and students from The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama in huntsville.

Turner has received numerous honors and awards for both teaching and research, including the Institute for Transportation Engineers’ Alabama Transportation Engineer of the Year in 1990, UA’s Blackman-Moody Award for outstanding professor in 1991, and the College’s T. Morris Hackney En-dowed Faculty Leadership Award in 1998. He has been active and served in leadership positions in many profes-sional organizations, including national president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a member of the board of directors of ABET, and national president of the Council of University Transportation Centers.

In 2009, Hugh Mathews, a 1981 civil engineering technologies graduate, and friends endowed a scholarship in Turner’s name for his many years of service and inspiration to civil engineering students. If you would like to contribute to this scholarship in Turner’s honor, please mail your contribution to Brandi Lamon, The University of Alabama College of Engineering, Box 870200, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0200.

Pamelia Bedingfield Pamelia Bedingfield, secretary in the department of mechanical engineering, retired in July 2009. Bedingfield joined the College in 1989 and was primarily responsible for working with the department’s graduate students and requisitions.

RETIREMENTS


TAYLOR APPOINTED AS ME HEADDr. Bob Taylor, professor of mechanical engineering and associate director of the Alabama Industrial Assessment Center, has been named department head of mechanical engineering.

Before joining UA’s faculty in 2004, Taylor served Mississippi State Uni-versity for 25 years as a mechanical engineering professor, associate dean of engineering and interim dean of engineering.

Taylor teaches courses in heat transfer, energy systems and design, and gas dynamics. his main research interests include the areas of heat transfer and fluid mechanics, engineering experimentation, and uncertainty analysis. he is the coauthor of the textbook, “Analysis and Design of Energy Systems,” and the author and co-author of more than 150 journal articles and published technical papers.

ACOFF APPOINTED AS MTE HEADDr. Viola Acoff, professor of metallurgical and materials engineering and interim head of chemical and biological engineering, has been named de-partment head of metallurgical and materials engineering.

Acoff began working at The University of Alabama in 1994 as an as-sistant professor of metallurgical and materials engineering. She was promoted to associate professor in 2000 and then promoted to professor in 2004. In 2008, Acoff was named the interim head of chemical and biological engineering.

CES OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARDA $500 cash stipend and plaque were presented to Milton T. Nettles, a senior in chemical and biological engineering, as the 2009 Capstone Engineering Society Outstanding Senior. Nettle’s academic honors include President’s List, Dean’s List, Omega Chi Epsilon, Mortar Board, Tau Beta Pi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Lambda Delta, Carl A. Elliot Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Earnestine Tucker Award. he is the recipient of an Eastman Chemical Co. Merit Scholarship and an Ameri-can Institute of Chemical Engineers Minority Scholarship. Nettles serves as vice president of the Ambassadors of the College of Engineering, senator for the National Society of Black Engineers, interim president of Omega Chi Epsilon and president-elect for Tau Beta Pi. he also is active in the Blackburn Institute, Alpha Phi Alpha, National Pan-hellenic Council and Freshman Forum.

From left to right: Dean Chuck Karr, Milton T. Nettles and Nancy holmes, coordinator of the Capstone Engineering Society


STELLAR FACULTYDean Chuck Karr congratulates the following faculty for stellar work during the

2008–09 academic year.

OUTSTANDING TEACHERSThe following tenure-track faculty received a 4.8 rating and above on teaching evaluations for fall or spring semesters:

• Dr. Ed Back, associate professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering

• Dr. John Baker, professor of mechanical engineering

• Dr. Robert Batson, professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering

• Dr. Marcus Brown, associate professor of computer science

• Dr. Peter Clark, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering

• Dr. Robert Davis, professor of civil, construction, and environmental engineering

• Dr. Dan Fonseca, associate professor of mechanical engineering

• Dr. Tim Haskew, professor of electrical and computer engineering

• Dr. Paul Hubner, assistant professor of aerospace engineering and mechanics

• Dr. Stan Jones, professor of aerospace engineering and mechanics

• Dr. Clark Midkiff, professor of mechanical engineering

• Dr. Semih Olcmen, associate professor of aerospace engineering and mechanics

• Dr. Ken Ricks, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering

• Dr. Stephen Ritchie, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering

• Dr. Robert Schartstein, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering

• Dr. Greg Thompson, associate professor of metallurgical and materials engineering

• Dr. Heath Turner, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering

PROMOTION AND TENURE The following faculty recently received promotions or tenure this year:

• Dr. John Baker, professor of mechanical engineering

• Dr. Yuebin Guo, professor of mechanical engineering

• Dr. Xiaoyan Hong, associate professor of computer science

• Dr. Pauline Johnson, professor of civil, construction and

environmental engineering

• Dr. Paul Puzinauskas, associate professor of mechanical

engineering

• Dr. Heath Turner, associate professor of chemical and

biological engineering

• Dr. Yang Xiao, associate professor of computer science


ALABAMA COMPANIES RECOGNIZED FOR ENERGY SAVINGS GARNERED FROM UA’S AIACGreen initiatives are playing a paramount role in President Barack Obama’s agenda, and while he is supporting green initiatives on a national scale, the Alabama Industrial Assessment Center is putting these efforts into play throughout the state. At least two Alabama companies working with the AIAC have significantly reduced energy usage and therefore improved cost savings.

The U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Technol-ogies Program recently recognized Johnson Controls of Cottondale and Specification Rubber Products of Alabaster for substantial energy savings due to energy assessments and recommendations from the AIAC, which is headquartered at the College of Engineering.

Johnson Controls was named a 2009 Energy Saver by the Industrial Technologies Program, which recognizes facilities that have made progress in implementing assessment recommendations to save energy and cut costs as part of the Save Energy Now energy assessments. The AIAC recommendations resulted in saving more than 14 percent total energy at Johnson Controls.

This is the second year in a row that one of the AIAC clients received these national awards. In 2008, Specification Rubber Products of Alabaster was recognized for implementing energy savings from an AIAC assessment report totaling more than 7.5 percent of their energy use as a result in reduction of natural gas. The AIAC recommended actions in re-ducing steam leaks and insulating bare steam equip-ment, enabling them to save approximately $37,000.

CHBE STUDENT RECEIVES TWO PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL HONORS

Ynhi Thai, a senior in chemical and biological engi-neering, received two prestigious national honors. She was named to the second team of USA Today’s 2009 All-USA College Academic Team and was rec-ognized as a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence Foun-dation scholar.

The USA Today All-USA College Academic Team honors the “best of the best” undergraduate academic all-stars from across the nation. UA’s College of Engineering has received nine honors recognitions for engineering students on the USA Today team since 2003, more than any other engineering college in the country.

Thai was selected from among 278 students na-tionwide for the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, and she will receive scholarships that will cover the costs of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to $7,500 per year. The Goldwater Foundation Scholar-ship Program was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering and is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields.

She previously received the William Orr Dingwall Foundation Asian Ancestry Grant and the Ernest F. hollings Scholarship. As a hollings scholar, Thai interned at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteoro-logical Laboratory-Ocean Chemistry Division in Miami, Fla., where she studied the natural and anthropogenic sources of nutrients to help obtain the long-term data needed to address the key issues of coastal-marine management issues.

ME STUDENT SELECTED FOR SAE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Christina Ibrahim, a senior majoring in mechani-cal engineering, was one of 24 students selected to participate in the 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers Leadership Development Program, which recognizes the most promising SAE student leaders who have exhibited outstanding leadership skills through their involvement with SAE activities on campus. This is the second consecutive year a UA student has been chosen for this prestigious program.


UA ANNOUNCES TWO NEW DUAL-DEGREE ENGINEERING AND MBA PROGRAMSEngineering and MBA graduates from The University of Alabama will now offer more than just technical knowledge to their future employers, as they will combine essential financial skills with engineering through two new innovative dual-degree programs. Beginning this fall, students can earn master’s degrees in engineering and business admin-istration in two years, and the programs are specific for civil engineering and mechanical engineering.

As Alabama’s automotive, manufacturing, energy, construction and civil engineering industries continue to expand, financial business skills are more essential to guiding engineering projects. Students will be able to immediately impact their future employers through both engineering technical knowledge and the bottom-line financial goals.

Students admitted to the programs will be able to complete the dual degree in two calendar years instead of three calendar years if the degrees were pursued separately.

THINK OR SWIM—NATIONAL CONCRETE CANOE COMPETITION SET SAIL AT UAConcrete is not the material the average person thinks of when they decide to build a racing canoe. But then again, these students aren’t average people! hundreds of civil engineering students trekked to The University of Alabama June 11-13 for their chance at the “America’s Cup of Civil Engineer-ing,” the American Society of Civil Engineers’ National Concrete Canoe Competition.

The competition is comprised of both academic and race events. Each team’s total score is based on the engi-neering design and construction principles used in the creation of the canoe. Scoring for the competition is divided into four components: design paper; oral presentation; final product; and five different races — men’s and women’s slalom and endurance races and men’s, women’s and coed sprint races.

The University of California, Berkeley defeated entries from 21 other top engineering schools. UA opted to compete at next year’s national competition which will be hosted by the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

The 22 teams gathered on the Quad. Coeds sprinting on Lake Nicol.

UA TEAM AMONG WINNERS IN ALABAMA LAUNCHPAD BUSINESS COMPETITIONTechnology that provides companies a way to increase small-engine efficiency while reducing emissions is the focus of the third place team, led by a UA student. David holt, who is pursuing both a master’s degree in engineering and a juris doctorate, leads Direct Injection Flat head Engine Co., which offers a patent-pending alternative to current carburetor-based and direct injection small engines. Team members include Dr. Scott Spear, a research engineer in UA’s Alabama Institute for Manufacturing Excellence, and Chris Cater, a UA School of Law student who is also pursuing a master’s degree in business administration.

From left to right: Dr. Scott Spear, Chris Cater and David holt

23Capstone Engineer0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0Alumni Notes

Jobs/Promotions/Awards1964

Frank R. Villafaña, BSIE ’64, MSIE ’67, will release his book “Cold War in the Congo: The Confrontation of Cuban Military Forces, 1960–1967,” this fall.

1969Gene Bird, BSMtE ’69, retired from the Y-12 Plant after 31 years of service. The plant is a national security complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

1971B.K. Hodge, MSME ’71, PhD ’73, was the recipient of the 2009 Tony Tilman Award from the American Society of Engineering Education southeast section.

1972John W. Covington, BSChE ’72, released his new book, “Enterprise Fitness.”

1977Emily Gordy Carr, BSCE ’77, was promoted to chief of the soils design and dam safety section of the Nashville Army Corps of Engineers.

1979Charles Daley Speer, BSChE ’79, MSEE ’95, obtained a certificate of accomplishment in financial management though the USDA graduate school. Speer serves as a safety engineer at the Anniston Army Depot.

1980Daniel K. Glover, BSCE ’80, was appointed as vice president of Alabama Power Co. with responsibility for distribution. Glover began his career at Alabama Power in 1977 and most recently served as power delivery services manager.

Col. Dave McNeil, BSEET ’80, was awarded the Legion of Merit by the U.S. Army upon retirement after more than 30 years of service. he has been named as the president of the Integrated Services Division of the Ranger Group, a defense contracting company in McLean, Va.

1981Ronald Gray, BSME ’81, was elected as a new member to The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama.

1983Annette Sledd, BSCE ’83, received a Federal Women’s Program Outstanding Achievement Award, recognizing exceptional federal employees, for her supervisory service to the U.S. space program. She is manager of the International Space Station

Payloads Office, overseeing science hardware and payloads at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

1985Jeff Barker, BSME ’85, received the Chairman’s Award from Chevron Products Co. for contributing to superior efficiency, safety and cost-saving operations during the 2008 maintenance turnaround. Barker serves as the Pascagoula Refinery manager of shutdown maintenance.

1986C. Stephen Cornelius, BSME ’86, was appointed to the position of associate director for missile development at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center at the Redstone Arsenal.

Photo courtesy of NASA

24 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1Capstone Engineer Alumni Notes

Robert Lightfoot, BSME ’86, was named the director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in huntsville where he has worked since 1989.

1987Robert “Andy” Hill, BSChE ’87, was promoted to senior facilities manager at Praxair Inc. facilities in Deer Park and La Porte, Texas.

1989Otis Spencer Jr., BSIE ’89, was promoted to the position of general manufacturing manager at TAMKO’s Dallas, Texas, plant. Spencer previously served as assistant general manager in Tuscaloosa.

1990Joseph Cates, BSAE ’90, was named senior vice president of technology at Universal Pictures. Cates previously served as vice president of Universal’s anti-piracy technology and operations.

1995Ricky Brewer, BSEE ’95, joined GAF/Elk of Tuscaloosa as a senior controls engineer. his duties include defining, designing, installing and maintaining control logic systems and equipment for the Tuscaloosa plant.

Russell D. Ware Jr., BSCE ’95, has joined Burk-Kleinpeter Inc. as a civil engineer. he is a professional engineer licensed in the states of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

1999Tony Maalouf, MSCE ’99, was named an associate director of structural engineering at Skidmore Owings & Merrill’s San Francisco, Calif., office.

2000Dr. Monica Cox, MSIE ’00, was awarded a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Cox is an assistant professor of engineering education at Purdue University, and her research focuses on

understanding how to prepare graduate engineering students for careers once they graduate.

Photo courtesy of NASA

25Capstone Engineer0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1In Memory

Kirwin KingKirwin Keritius King of Birmingham died on June 20, 2009. King was a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering and a 2005 graduate of West End High School.

David Garrett McGiffertTuscaloosa engineer David Garrett McGiffert passed away on March 10, 2009, at the age of 86. Following the completion of his degree in engineering at the Capstone, he joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. McGiffert returned to Tuscaloosa to co-found the firm of Nicol and McGiffert, which still provides civil engineering and land surveying services as McGiffert and Associates LLC. He worked for more than 50 years as a civil engineer on more than 700 residential subdivisions, commercial developments, institutional and industrial facilities, and the rural water systems of West Alabama. McGiffert was the third generation of five generations of the McGiffert family to graduate from The University of Alabama. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty P. McGiffert, ’47; sons, W. David McGiffert, ’74, J. Price McGiffert, ’76, and R. Allen McGiffert, ’82; and grandchildren, Megan, ’01, Kendall, a current UA senior, Garrett, Price Jr., Katherine, a current UA senior, and Sara Frances, a current UA freshman. The family asks that

memorials be made to the David Garrett McGiffert Engineering Scholarship established by McGiffert and Associates LLC and Price McGiffert Construction Co. Inc. in 2003 in his honor.

Joe M. RodgersJoe Rodgers died on Feb. 2, 2009, at the age of 75. Rodgers received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Capstone and later went on to become an entrepreneur, diplomat, social activist and political supporter. Rodgers started his own construction company in 1966, and his construction companies were largely involved in many key projects for Tennessee, ranging from the Opryland theme park to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to 54 HCA hospitals in 17 states. Rodgers was largely involved in the political scene as well, serving as the national finance chairman for the Republican National Convention from 1979 to 1981, and he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve on the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board from 1981 to 1985. He was later named ambassador to France. Rodgers later became chairman and chief executive officer of Berlitz International Inc., and he served on the boards of directors of AMR Corp., Gaylord Entertainment Co., Thomas Nelson Inc., Tractor Supply Co., Gryphon Holdings Inc. and Willis Corroon PLC. In addition,

Rodgers was involved in the Salvation Army, the Boy Scouts of America, the American Cancer Society and the American Red Cross.

26 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1Capstone Engineer In Memory

Friends We Will Miss:

Henry G. “Hank” Beaird Jr., BSAE ’49, died on Feb. 2, 2009.

Albert Blazonis, BS ’46, died on March 22, 2009.

Harold Brogden, BS ’64, died on May 13, 2009.

William C. Bush, BSCE ’49, died on March 5, 2009.

Fred W. Chang, MS ’67, died on May 28, 2009.

W. Randall Cheatwood, BSME ’73, died on July 6, 2009.

Jimmy Dale Coker, BSEE ’69, died on June 29, 2009.

Edward H. Couchman Jr., BSIE ’49, died on May 13, 2009.

Bennie Gene Culpepper, BSEE ’57, died on Feb. 5, 2009.

Doyle D. Garner, MS ’66, died on April 8, 2009.

Charles R. Hoffman Jr., BS ’52, died on May 29, 2009.

Robert J. Holston, BSME ’42, BSIE ’47, died on March 24, 2009.

James E. Hunt Jr., BS ’61, died on Feb. 1, 2009.

John N. Hutson, BSEE ’49, died on April 8, 2009.

Harry L. Johnston, BS ’48, died on May 30, 2009.

Victor E. Jones, BS ’49, died on May 10, 2009.

Kenneth N. Letson, BSME ’59, MSME ’64, died on April 18, 2009.

Charlie F. Loftin Jr., BSME ’49, died on April 2, 2009.

Robert W. Marsden, BSIE ’47, died on March 25, 2009.

Ralph W. Minga, BSMTE ’49, died on April 22, 2009.

Harold T. Mitchell, BS ’53, died on May 23, 2009.

Charles H. Murr, BSIE ’40, died on May 1, 2009.

Jaroslaw Nieplocha, PhD ’93, died on March 21, 2009.

William F. Novi, BS ’45, died on April 11, 2009.

John M. Potts Sr., BSCE ’47, died on April 16, 2009.

Lewis E. Rayfield Jr., BSCE ’61, MSEE ’64, died on March 4, 2009.

Preston C. Rice, BSIE ’49, died on April 7, 2009.

Robert N. “Bobby” Rice Jr., BS ’58, died on June 2, 2009.

Roy Neel Sanders, BSAE ’43, died on Jan. 5, 2009.

Alfred O. Spencer, BSME ’41, died on March 8, 2009.

John W. Thompson, BS ’38, died on May 30, 2009.

Hughey S. Williford Jr., BSAE ’53, died on May 9, 2009.

27Capstone Engineer

COE SPONSORS BLUE ANGELSOn April 4–5, alumni and friends enjoyed the sights and sounds of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport Air Show. 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.

0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1Events

NUCOR SPONSORS SITE

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. Nucor Corp. sponsored the program that helps students decide on engineering careers.

COE DOES ART PERFORMS ‘THE BIG BAD MUSICAL’The College of Engineering does Amateur Radical Theater, known as COE does ART, performed “The Big Bad Musical,” a production about the trial of the Big Bad Wolf. The show was April 17 and 19 in the H.M. Comer Theatre.

28 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1Capstone Engineer Events

GOLFERS RAISE FUNDS FOR CESThe Capstone Engineering Society held its ninth annual golf tournament on April 30 at the Bent Brook Golf Course in Bessemer. About 96 alumni and friends enjoyed a beautiful day and raised almost $17,000 (net proceeds) that will benefit CES initiatives.

Thanks to this year’s golf committee!Dominic Allen

Mandi Cooper

Lori Eastman

Jon Noland

Roscoe Wallace

Thanks to this year’s sponsors!ACIPCO*

Alabama Guardrail Inc.

AMEC E&C Services Inc.

American Pipe & Supply Inc.

Apache Construction Corp.

Barnett Jones Wilson LLC

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

Brasfield & Gorrie LLC*

C&B Piping Inc.

Chesapeake Consulting Inc.

Consolidated Pipe & Supply Co. Inc.

C.S. Beatty Construction

David and Jackie Courington

Davis Architects*

Darryl and Cynthia Gilley

Hardy Corp.

Hattemer, Hornsby & Bailey PC

Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc.

Robins & Morton

Southland Pipe & Supply

Thompson Tractor Co. Inc.

Vulcan Painters Inc.*

Whitaker & Rawson

*Tournament Sponsors

TA ILGAT ING — ENGINEERING STYLE

Start with good company: engineering alumni and friends1.Find an outstanding location: Shelby Science and Engineering Quad2.3. Incorporate fun: activities for children and tours led by

the Ambassadors of the College of Engineering

4.Enjoy a fantastic meal

5.Reconnect with valued friends

HOW TO ENG INEER A GREAT h o M e C o M i n g

All engineering alumni and friends are invited to enjoy a new twist to an old tradition. The College of Engineering Homecoming Tailgate Party has changed location. Join us Oct. 17 on the Shelby Quad to cheer for the Crimson Tide against the South Carolina Gamecocks and to view the new facilities at Shelby Hall. Party begins three hours before kickoff.

6.Learn what the best and brightest students are doing

1108 1045

Sixth Avenue

Shelby

Lane

McCorveyDrive

Mar

gare

tD

rive

Capstone

Drive

Seventh

Avenue

MarrísSpring

Crimson Promenade

Hackberry

Lane

Mound

Rotunda

S

Rogers Library

Hackberry Lane

FergusonCenter

Shelby Hall

www.eng.ua.edu/homecoming

Capstone Engineering SocietyCollege of EngineeringBox 870200 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0200

Nonprofit Organization

U.S. Postage PAID

Tuscaloosa, AL

Permit 16

Roll Tide!

Capstone Engineering Society members receive two complimentary meals.

Engineering alumni and friends are invited to join the Capstone

Engineering Society on Oct. 17 for this year’s Homecoming Tailgate

Party. Join us on the Shelby Science and Engineering Quad to cheer for

the Crimson Tide against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

H O M E C O M I N GTAILGATE PARTY

11 capstone engineer - university of alabama college of...

Documents