BAE UpdateVolume 60 • Spring 2012 • Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Remembering Jay Porterfield: The unconventional thinker, mentor and friend

Porterfield continued on page 4 ...

Jay G. Porterfield passed away Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012. Porterfield served on the Agricultural Engineering faculty at OSU with distinction from 1952 to 1982, including four years (1974 - 1978) as department head. Professor Porterfield had a strong record of excellence in research and instruction, and continued his strong support of the department by funding the Jay G. Porterfield Scholarship.

Porterfield was born July 1, 1921, and raised on a farm near Holton, Kan. Porterfield had six brothers and sisters, one daughter, three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Iowa State University, where he also served as field operations manager for the experiment stations. During World War II, Porterfield was a pilot for non-rigid airships or blimps. In 1959, he was a visiting professor in agricultural engineering at the University of Melbourne in Australia. He spent time during 1979 and 1980 in Washington, D.C., where he participated in a U.S. Department of Agriculture Civil Service Retirement System program review. After retiring, he moved to Tahlequah, Okla., and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He also wrote various articles for engineering publications during retirement.

Larry Roth joined the faculty in the department in 1951 at the age of 23. A few months later, Porterfield joined the faculty at the age of 30. These two have spent the past 60 years together cultivating success and wisdom, professionally and as friends.

“Jay was a man known for his unconventional thinking,” Roth said. “He could always think of aspects about something others wouldn’t.”

According to Roth, whenever a graduate student or co-worker would come to Porterfield with research objectives or a project idea, he always had more objectives or things to expand upon from the original idea.

Porterfield was known for pushing department faculty to

start accepting the new idea of using a computing system in the 1960s, Roth added. And he led the department by example.

“At this time, the idea of using a computing system was just starting,” Roth said. “There was one super computing system on campus and it was in the basement of the home economics building. The machine was an IBM 650 and it used punch cards.”

Porterfield lead the department by developing a statistical analysis program for the IBM 650 that he could use for his cotton research at Chickasha.

“With this new computer program, it took about half an hour to process the data,” Roth said. “Before, it took months to process the data using desktop calculators.”

With this new program and others in use, Porterfield got the rest of the department interested in the concept of using this new computing system, Roth added. “A lot of boxes of punch cards were carried back and forth between ag hall and the computer center in the home economics building.”

Another advancement Porterfield brought to the department was the current concept of the senior design class.

“The students were able to design a project on paper and actually build it in the shop,” Roth added. “Unfortunately, the department didn’t have the industry connections we do today so we can help them market their product.”

According to Roth, one of Porterfield’s greatest contributions to the department was his service as a mentor.

“At one time, he had 10 or so doctoral candidates,” he said. “Several of his students went on to work in academia instead of industry.”

The picture above shows Porterfield with a board from the original IBM 650 computer for which he developed a statistical analysis program. This was presented to him during his retire-ment dinner.

BAE Update page 2www.biosystems.okstate.edu

Holiday far from homeWritten by Wravenna Bloomberg, Marketing Manager for the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

OSU students took new hope for a new year to remote areas of West Africa by bringing running water and basic needs to the people of Sierra Leone. The Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering was well represented by an undergraduate, graduate student, and staff member for a study abroad trip that included collaboration with the departments of Agricultural Economics, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The group traveled to Sierra Leone, Africa for two weeks during winter break in December 2011.

“The major reason I wanted to be part of this trip was because I want to make a difference,” said Wayne Kiner, laboratory manager for BAE, who provided technical support for equipment and procedures. “I want to encourage others to help their society be self-sufficient.”

This attitude was evident among all members of the group who worked tirelessly to bring food, water, education and health to this area of the world. The main location this group focused efforts on was the New Steps orphanage. Basic needs, too often taken for granted in this country, were made possible again through repairs of plumbing and gravity fed water systems.

Projects completed during this trip included setting up a cooperative extension center to teach local residents about fruit and vegetable production,

Picture above: Rebecca Purvis (at left, OSU shirt) and Jesi Lay (at right, white shirt and OSU hat) enjoy drilling success. Picture at left: Wayne Kiner repairing pump at New Steps Facility with Mike Dicks. Picture on page 3: Rebecca Purvis emptying a drilling auger with Wellington student Josephine.

drilling water wells, setting up water filtration systems and giving local residents information about how to improve their diets. The projects were designed to give the community the ability to produce the food they need, while maintaining a healthy water supply.

Kiner mentions part of goals for this project was also to provide the student of New Steps orphanage with the skills needed to keep the facility maintained. With few adult mentors in these students lives, training in the area of basic construction and repairs was greatly needed. Because of wars in this area, nearly an entire generation has been lost. So these orphans are building back from nearly nothing. He said the children were eager to help and learn all they could as they not only want education but an improved lifestyle as well.

However, not everything came easy during this trip. Kiner said just getting supplies for a job was a task in itself.

“When working in underdeveloped countries, you have to have patience and a way to get the job done with what is available,” said Kiner. “Things never go as planned and it takes a lot more time to do something…..most generally you are working with primitive hand tools.”

But to students like Jesi Lay, an environmental and natural resource master’s student who holds a BAE bachelor’s degree, all the hard labor is worth it when you can leave and feel like you made a positive impact on the lives of so many.

“For me, an engineering degree isn’t about the money. It’s about applying the knowledge and skills I have gained to real-world problems so as to help improve the lives of others,” said Lay.

Before traveling to Sierra Leone, Lay had several goals as a student leader of this group, and some

go beyond the trip itself. She hopes to arrange an internship program to train more students from the orphanage on well drilling, and increase research collaboration between OSU and Njala University (the African partnering institution). Lay will be making additional trips to Sierra Leone as part of her international component to the research she is doing through her master’s program.

“This is what brings my education full circle,” Lay said.

Nick Copeland, a Civil Engineering senior, found West Africa to be a beautiful and fascinating place.

“When I heard about the Sierra Leone study abroad opportunity, I knew I had to go,” said Copeland. “Most of the country’s infrastructure was destroyed during a horrific 10-year civil war, and I saw big potential to meet immediate and pressing needs.”

Copeland said he values his education in Civil Engineering, as many of the courses he has taken proved vital to completion of projects for this underdeveloped area.

continued on page 3 ...

Greetings from the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering! We survived a rather mild winter here in the Midwest (like everyone else, apparently), and are looking forward to a growing season and summer that is warm and mild, with rainfall at strategic intervals, light breezes, and sunshine the rest of the time. I am also looking forward to an economy that is fully recovered; replacement of critical positions; a good price for oil, gas, wheat, and beef; enough hay and water to feed our high quality beef; amber waves of grain; excellent raises for everyone; pigs that can fly; and cows that can jump over the moon. There’s nothing wrong with being optimistic!

Big changes are happening at OSU. Our new Dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology starting this summer will be Paul J. Tikalsky, who has served as Professor and Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering program at the University of Utah. Tikalsky brings a wealth of experience from within and outside the U.S. Karl Reid recently retired after 25 years as Dean, and we greatly appreciate the interim leadership of Khaled Gasem, Department Head in Chemical Engineering. Robert Whitson has announced he will be stepping down as Vice President and Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in summer 2012. Our Interim Vice President and Dean will be Mike Woods,

Head for the Department of Agricultural Economics. Woods is expected to serve in the interim role for the next year. Jonathan Edelson (Professor of Entomology and Assistant Director, Agricultural Experiment Station) is serving as Interim Associate Director after the recent departure of Clarence Watson. We also welcome Cynda Clary as the new Associate Dean for Academic Programs, who is expected to join us in July. Thanks to David Porter (Plant and Soil Sciences Department Head) for his able interim leadership for academic programs over this past year. I don’t believe these changes were caused by my arrival last summer, but it makes you wonder…

As I walk through our facilities (that are starting show a little wear), and look into the offices and labs of our faculty and staff who continue to be very productive and to be recognized for their high quality efforts, I am reminded of the immortal words of Will Rogers, “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” We will keep moving forward, and we do expect to make significant impacts. We hope you can join us…

Dan Thomas, Ph.D., P.E. | Professor and Head

BAE Update page 3www.biosystems.okstate.edu

From the desk of Dan Thomas

“Even though our trip was water-focused, my main civil engineering advantage was in project management,” said Copeland. “I knew about the risks of aquifer drawdown, about the treatment abilities of our bio-sand filters, and about the proper methods of concrete mixing. But that knowledge wouldn’t have translated into the field without excellent project management skills.”

All together considered a success, there will be more study abroad trips planned similar to this in the future.

“I would absolutely encourage other students to participate in future programs like this,” said Copeland. “This trip’s impact on my life goes far beyond the technical tools I

Sixteen students embarked on this study abroad experience during their winter break. Many received scholarship to offset the cost of the course and travel expenses. Dr. Khaled Gasem, Interim Dean for the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology provided $3500 in travel scholarship to students, while the departments of both Civil and Mechanical Engineering provided scholarship totaling $2500. Those scholarships were in addition to substantial scholarship provided by the OSU provost office. Funds from these scholarships covered a significant portion of the student’s expenses and serve as evidence of OSU’s commitment to provide means for international experiences to all students. For additional information on other study abroad programs and CEAT’s Engineering Without Boarders programs, contact student services at 405-744-5276.

gained through training sessions and in-class seminars. Trips like these are what makes OSU special. We find real needs and meet them with hands-on projects.”

Faculty advisors who also traveled to Sierra Leone included Dr. Mike Dicks, Agricultural Economics professor, and Dr. Dee Ann Sanders, associate professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and study abroad course instructor.

“The Trip to Sierra Leone highly exemplifies OSU’s mission as a land grant university,” said Lay. “We had students and faculty from several OSU colleges working together to promote instruction, research and outreach in order to advance the quality of life in Sierra Leone.”

BAE Update page 4www.biosystems.okstate.edu

Porterfield continued

Student Awards

View the full award articles in this newsletter from our news page at http://biosystems.okstate.edu/BAENews.html. A news archives page is available at http://biosystems.okstate.edu/news/NewsArchives.html.

Bhavna Sharma, BAE doctoral student focusing on processing of biomaterials, has earned the 2012 Women’s Faculty Council Research Award for Research and Scholarship.

The research topics she submitted for this ward included the Physical Properties of Switchgrass as Related to Before and After Frost Harvesting; and the Scenario Optimization Model for Designing Biomass Supply and Logistics Model.

Sharma’s advisor is Carol Jones, associate professor. Sharma earned her bachelor’s of technology degree in food technology at the Punjab Technical University, India in 2004; and her master’s of science degree in processing and food engineering at the Punjab Agricultural University, India in 2007.

The award is based on contributions that the project makes to the discipline, the student’s academic skills and accomplishments. The Council reception for the winners was held Feb. 24. The award is sponsored by the OSU Women’s Faculty Council, College of Education, Office of Student Affairs, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Office of the Provost, and College of Human Sciences.

Sharma also earned the Outstanding Graduate Student Award at The President’s Leadership and Service Recognition Reception in recognition of outstanding service and leadership at OSU. The award was given by OSU President Burns Hargis.

The award is sponsored by the OSU President and the Office of Campus life for honoring the outstanding students, organizations, and advisors for the 2011-2012 academic year. The Outstanding Graduate Student Award recognizes the student for their leadership positions, activities, honors and service to the community and awards received in the past academic year. It also considers how student has exceeded the expectation of the graduate program and college in the past academic year. The President’s Leadership and Service Recognition Reception was held at the Student Union Atrium on April 4.

Bhavna Sharma earns OSU’s Women’s Faculty Council Research Award and Outstanding Graduate Student Award

“He was also my mentor,” Roth added. “I think we grew together, but I needed a person like Jay to look up to as I began since I was so young when I joined the faculty. He was just good at everything; he had a lot of experience and was willing to share it.”

According to Roth, Porterfield was very fair as a department head and well-liked by everyone.

“Anyone would come to Jay for advice and he’d never turn anyone away,” Roth said.

Roth and Porterfield had a great sense of humor with one another and were very close friends.

“There was a certain group of us that would play practical jokes and tricks,” Roth said. “It was sometimes hard to tell if Jay was being serious or not.”

Larry Roth now owns part of the land Jay Porterfield used to own. Larry happily refers to as “Larry’s Paradise”. In a recent year, Larry took Jay back to a pond on the acreage in his Gator to show him a hammock he had set up and Jay was very happy knowing that Larry was enjoying the land as much as he did.

BAE Update page 5www.biosystems.okstate.edu

Student Awards

Jesi Lay, master’s student in environment and natural resources, is one of six Oklahoma State University students to receive the Matthew 25:40 scholarship.

The scholarship was set up by Wes and Lou Watkins due to their belief in the virtues of helping under-served communities in other countries and as a means to both improve their quality of life and to allow students to serve as positive representatives of Oklahoma and the United States.

The purpose of the scholarship is to allow OSU students to receive additional incentive to travel abroad to participate in community improvement projects in developing countries.

To receive the scholarship the recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student at OSU or part-time in the summer session. Scholarships are given to students nominated by the colleges and academic programs granted for study abroad. Priority goes to students who actively participate in non-traditional study opportunities in underdeveloped countries addressing issues of hunger, health, education and poverty.

Jesi Lay earns Matthew 25:40 Scholarship

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has named fifteen individuals to its class of 2012 "New Faces of ASABE. These individuals were nominated by fellow ASABE members and formally announced at the 2012 Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference, held in Louisville, Kent.

OSU BAE is well represented by Derek Heeren and Wesley Porter. The fifteen ASABE members, all 30 years of age or younger, have distinguished themselves with outstanding, early-career achievements that serve as inspiration to their peers and to the future engineers who will follow in their footsteps. Five of these individuals, including Heeren, were also honored as “New Faces of Engineering” for National Engineers Week, Feb. 19-25, 2012. ASABE is a sponsor of Engineers Week, an annual event aimed at promoting public awareness and appreciation of engineering professions.

Derek Heeren, P.E., - Derek Heeren's goal is to promote good stewardship of our natural resources, and as a research engineer he enjoys the opportunity to use math and science to help solve environmental problems. He was recently awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) STAR Graduate Fellowship, one of the most premier graduate fellowships in the country, which enables him to continue his research oriented toward agricultural management and protecting streams and lakes. Heeren leads not only his own Ph.D. research project, but also several others involving the mentoring of numerous undergraduate and graduate students. He has experience in consulting along with considerable experience in research, with nine published peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, plus additional conference presentations.

Heeren earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural and biosystems engineering and master's degree in agricultural engineering from South Dakota State University. He is working toward a Ph.D. at OSU. Heeren joined ASABE in 2000.

Wesley Porter - Improving the efficiency of agricultural practices, from planting to harvesting and processing, is the goal of extension associate engineer Wesley Porter. Porter is working on many different precision agriculture and machinery projects, and his current research focuses on maintaining field level cotton fiber quality on stripper harvesters. His work at Clemson University also aimed to improve farming operations. His master's thesis, Sensor Based Nitrogen Management for Cotton Production in Coastal Plains Soils, produced a nitrogen algorithm for use with the GreenSeeker®optical sensor to predict midseason nitrogen fertilizer needs for cotton. The results proved that use of the algorithm in cotton production reduced nitrogen needs by at least 40 percent without significantly reducing yield. Porter also worked with a team of students in 2007 to develop a yield monitor for small peanut plot work. That monitor is the only one of its kind and is currently being used at the Clemson University's Edisto Research and Education Center.

Porter earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural mechanization and master’s degree in agricultural engineering from Clemson University. He is currently from working on his Ph.D. at OSU. He joined ASABE in 2011.

Heeren and Porter honored as 2012 New Faces of ASABE

BAE Update page 6www.biosystems.okstate.edu

2012 ASABE student scholarship banquet

2012-2013 scholarship recipients

2012 graduates, left to right: Aaron Bartel, Dustin Hofegartner, Scott Clark, Jason Johnson, Sydney Herlocker*, John Locklear*, Meredith Shiflet*, Dalton Hamilton, Brice Abbott, and Levi Edens.Not shown are Clayton Boaldin, Collin Boettcher, Benjamin Gifford, Eric Lam, Emily Matlock, Luke Polly, and Jace Reed.*Students anticipated to graduate in Fall 2012.

Below: John Locklear presents Randy Taylor with the Alpha Epsilon Distinguished Service

Award.

At left: Jason Vogel presents Scott Clark with the ASABE Member of

the Year Award.

Smiles were evident during the ASABE Student Scholarship Banquet held March 31 in Stillwater, Okla. More than 140 students, family members, donors, staff and faculty were in attendance.

Scott Clark, student club president, emceed the banquet that included a video highlighting the year’s activities, awards and recognitions of students and faculty, and the announcement of new officers. Dan Thomas, department head, announced the scholarship awards. Thirty eight students, including four incoming freshmen, were the recipients of more than $40,000 in scholarship money.

The ASABE student club recognized Scott Clark, Kiowa, Kan., as their Top Senior; and Aiden Carmichael, Edmond, Okla., as the Top Sophomore. The Alpha Epsilon Honor Society presented Randy Taylor with their Distinguished Service Award.

2012-2013 ASABE officersPresident | George TietzVice-President | Sean MallorySecretary | Luke SernerTreasurer | Ryan DunkersonHistorians | Qualla Parman, Collin Craige & Caroline ShortParliamentarian | Peter Storm & Austin SuggCEAT Student Council Rep | Matthew RogersCASNR Student Council Rep | Taylor Cole & Tim HuntSocial Directors | Kevin Roewe & Molly VichAdvisor | Hasan AtiyehJunior Advisor | Dan Thomas

ASABE T-shirt Sales T-shirts are available for $12, short sleeve pocket or plain. Undergraduates order in Ag Hall 206; faculty, grad students and staff can order in Ag Hall 111; or anyone can email Sean.t.Mallory@okstate.edu to order and request an image to view the new T-shirt design.

BAE Update page 7www.biosystems.okstate.edu

Congratulations to ...

B.S. GraduatesFall 2011Jared Kinder | Chattanooga, OklahomaSpring and Summer 2012Brice Abbott | Pryor, OklahomaAaron Bartel | Weatherford, OklahomaClayton Boaldin | Edmond, OklahomaCollin Boettcher | Dallas, TexasScott Clark | Kiowa, KansasLevi Edens | Miami, OklahomaBenjamin Gifford | Tulsa, OklahomaDalton Hamilton | Tecumseh, OklahomaDustin Hofegartner | Harrah, OklahomaJason Johnson | Sand Springs, OklahomaEric Lam | Edmond, OklahomaEmily Matlock | Stillwater, OklahomaLuke Polly | Tulsa, OklahomaJace Reed | Leon, Oklahoma

M.S. Graduates Fall 2011Karl Garbrecht | Yukon, OklahomaAnthony Megel | Cashion, OklahomaAissatou Sitta | Stillwater, OklahomaSpring and Summer 2012Erin Daly | Aiken, South CarolinaRachel (Carson) Felice | Stilwell, OklahomaTaber Midgley | Durant, OklahomaAbdoulaye Samba | Dakar, SenegalKevin Stunkel | Bethel, Connecticut

Ph.D. GraduatesFall 2011Luz Marin | Houston, TexasSpring and Summer 2012Reid Christianson | Ames, IowaJames Hardin | Negaunee, MichiganDerek Heeren | Parker, South DakotaAmit Khanchi | Karnal, Haryana, IndiaGrace Okiror | Ngora, UgandaRandy Phillips | Gravette, ArkansasBhavna Sharma | Solon, Himachal Pradesh, IndiaYumin Ye | Yuyao, Zhejiang, China

... our graduates!(student name | name of scholarship)

Incoming StudentsTravis Biggerstaff, Seth Cleary, Abigail Parnell &

Jodi Vinyard | Jay G. Porterfield

Continuing StudentsVincent Hobart, Justin Ludwig, Mikayla Marvin, Jace Reed,

Meghan Sheehan, Jacob Simpson, Heidi Stair & Ryan Turner | Si & Kay Grider

Sydney Herlocker & John Locklear | BAE Retired FacultyStaci Cuccio & Molly Vich | Sam HarpJustin Ludwig | Dudley Barefoot MemorialDaniel Whittlesey | Jay G. PorterfieldVincent Hobart & Kevin Roehm | Don & Kim YarbroughMatthew Rogers | Greg & Kristen Hart Troy Dobbins | James & Ruby GartonJackson Hodges | Kennedy Family Mikayla Marvin | Oklahoma Association of Electric

CooperativesTaylor Cole, Taylor Cook & Peter Storm | Wendell Bowers Whitney Lisenbee | Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority David Criswell | Oklahoma Grain & Feed Association Rebecca Purvis | Annette & Bill Barfield Nicholas Jacobsen | W.B. Johnston Grain Company Marshall Oldham | David McKay Jonathan Overton | Samuel Alton Clayton Memorial Elizabeth Hickman | Marvin Stone Caroline Short | Tom & Jan Haan Collin Craige | Leon Crain Memorial Jeff Biggerstaff | Glen Morgan Memorial Ryan Johnson | Jodie Whitney Kelsey Turner | Gerald Brusewitz Flint Holbrook | Ronald T. Noyes Kristi Harkrider | Lawrence O. Roth Kyle Mueggenborg, Jeremiah Pine & Kevin Roewe |

AGCO Engineering Heath Hendricks | ConocoPhillips Meredith Shiflet | BAE Development Fund

... this year’s scholarship recipients!

Student news can be viewed at http://biosystems.okstate.edu/BAENews.html#student.

BAE Update page 8www.biosystems.okstate.edu

Alumni updates

Ryan Woolbright, BAE alumnus, is now a civil engineer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource and Conservation Service Kahului Field Office. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the department in 2006 and 2008, respectfully.

After graduating from OSU, he held an internship with Bayer Crop Science in Monheim, Germany for a few months. Woolbright then began working with USDA-NRCS in Oklahoma in 2010, and transferred to Hawaii in August 2011.

In his current position, Woolbright provides engineering assistance to the NRCS field offices in Maui County which includes the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. The NRCS works with farmers, ranchers and foresters to provide financial and technical assistance for conservation on private lands. He conducts a wide variety of work on various landscapes, including from sea level to 10,000 ft. elevation, and with annual rainfall totals ranging from 15 to more than 200 inches. His recent projects include irrigation systems, access roads, stock water facilities, terraces, diversions, and water catchment systems.

Woolbright said this work or location wasn’t in his exact plans, but when the opportunity came he couldn’t pass it up. He also doesn’t plan to leave Hawaii any time soon.

Ryan Woolbright serves USDA NRCS in Hawaii

Dr. Stephen W. Searcy has been named head of the biological and agricultural engineering department in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.

The announcement was made by Dr. Mark A. Hussey, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences for Texas A&M AgriLife.

“The department of biological and agricultural Engineering is recognized as a leader in our discipline,” Searcy said. “I am honored to be asked to lead the efforts of my colleagues to maintain and extend that reputation.”

Searcy has served as interim department head since the previous department head, Dr. Gary Riskowski, returned to a full-time faculty position in September 2010. Before becoming the interim head, Searcy served as associate department head.

Searcy has been recognized by his peers for his research on precision agriculture, according to Hussey. He received several American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Paper and Blue Ribbon Extension Aids awards. A 28-year member of the society, Searcy was named a Fellow in 2008. In 2009, he was elected treasurer.

Searcy earned two bachelor’s degrees, one in agricultural mechanization and another in agricultural engineering, and a

Stephen Searcy named BAE department head at Texas A&Mmaster’s degree in agricultural mechanization from the University of Missouri. He earned a doctorate in agricultural engineering from Oklahoma State University.

He has been on the Texas A&M faculty since 1980. In addition to his current administrative responsibilities, Searcy has conducted research on intelligent machine systems for agriculture, with an emphasis on bioenergy logistics, cotton engineering, and precision agriculture. He also has conducted Texas AgriLife Extension Service programs focused on precision agriculture technology adoption and has taught courses on electronic and machine systems, information systems, design and research.

Searcy is a registered professional engineer in Texas and a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology.

Written by Robert Burns, Texas A&M University

The BAE ASABE Social will be held Sunday, July 29 at Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse in downtown Dallas. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. A shuttle for the conference will run beginning at 6:00 from the Hilton Anatole to the general area of the restaurant. Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse is located at 302 N. Market St. #101. The cost for attending will be $25 per person. Please contact Rachel Felice at rachel.carson@okstate.edu if you plan to attend, have questions or need more information.

BAE Alumni and Friends ASABE Social

BAE Update page 9www.biosystems.okstate.edu

Alumni updates

John Roll excels as senior environmental engineer for nation-wide ecological consulting and restoration design team

Patricia Smith earns teaching honors at Texas A&MDr. Patricia Smith, associate professor in the Department

of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been honored with a University Professorship for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence award.

The honor is given to the university’s “most distinguished teachers of undergraduates – faculty members who have exhibited uncommon excellence and devotion to the education of undergraduate students of Texas A&M,” according to the citation.

Smith received the Cintron Professorship. Her research interests are in hydrologic modeling, particularly land use and land cover effects on hydrologic processes at different temporal and spatial scales; and development of TMDLs for bacterial impairment of streams. She earned a bachelor's degree in management and a master's degree in biosystems and agricultural engineering, both from Oklahoma State University; and a Ph.D. in biological and agricultural engineering from

North Carolina State University.Endowment for the Cintron

Professorship is provided by the Hoblitzelle Foundation of Dallas in honor of Dr. R. H. Cintron, Texas A&M class of 1946. The other professorships were endowed by Arthur J. and Wilhelmina Doré Thaman and John Kincaid, Texas A&M Class of 1928.

The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering is a joint department of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Dwight Look College of Engineering.

Written by Lesley Kriewald, Texas A&M University

John Roll, senior environmental engineer for Applied Ecological Services, Inc. moved to Milwaukee in 1997 to be closer to family after finishing a doctorate in 1996. Roll started an individual environmental consulting business and developed his professional relationships. He worked with several consulting groups on environmental projects involving remediation, hazardous materials, streams, bio-treatment of wastewater, and land restoration. In 2005, he joined Applied Ecological Services (AES) in Wis. providing environmental engineering expertise in support of ecologic projects around the nation.

Two N.Y. landfill expansion/restoration projects have been the highlight of his career at AES. The Seneca Meadows Landfill expansion, near Seneca Falls, was not getting permit approvals until AES got involved. Roll and his team convinced the landfill to buy an adjacent farm and convert tiled farmland into wetland as mitigation for their expansion. The following link shows the Seneca Meadows Wetland Preserve after planting/management by AES ecologists http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv3kYxEvbdw.

In 2011, he spent six months in Albany, N.Y. providing construction QA/QC for a restoration project for the City of Albany. The team helped secure the permits and design the mitigation plans to allow the city’s landfill to expand.

This project involved unions, reluctant participants, agency input, hurricane tropical storm precipitation events, and grading of 90 percent fine sand (wind-blown dune sand). The project relocated two small streams, created wetlands, and other natural areas. Excellent work in the field established credibility with agency personnel and approval to begin the final landfill expansion was received in Nov. The earthwork was the significant beginning to a multi-year eco-restoration to lands that will become part of the Pine Bush Preserve after landfill closure.

Roll earned his doctoral degree in biosystems engineering in 1996 under Glenn Brown, Regents Professor. His dissertation title was the Multi-Phase Transport of Toluene in Unsaturated Soil Under Transient Flow Conditions. He earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees at the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1973 and 1971, respectively. His thesis title was Odor Control and Anaerobic Degradation of Swine Manure Mixed with Digester Sludge.

This newsletter can be viewed in full color at http://biosystems.okstate.edu/news/BAEnewsletters.html. Other BAE-related newsletters are also available on this page.

BAE Update page 10www.biosystems.okstate.edu

BAE updates

Babies

We want to know about you ... Your news is good news!We would like to include you in our alumni success stories. If you want to participate, please send us your contact information, any professional and personal information you would like to share. If you have recently participated in the success story feature, we would still like to hear from you and about any changes you have had in your life. Please contact us at 111 Agricultural Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078; fax 405.744.6059; or baenews@okstate.edu.

Kavya: Daughter of Prakash and Rita Bhoi. Prakash is a research engineer and doctoral student in the department. Prakash earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering during 1999 and 2005, respectively. Kavya was born Dec. 27, 2011. She weighed 7.1 pounds and was 20 inches long.Madison Brook: Daughter of Aaron and Tammy Mittelstet. Aaron is a research engineer and doctoral student in the department. Aaron earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 2000 and 2009, respectively. Madison was born Jan. 4, 2012. She weighed 7.5 pounds and was 20 inches long.

May we email you?Interested in receiving this newsletter via email? Let us know and we will create a newsletter email list so you can receive your next issue via email in full color.

Katie Beitz is a research engineer and will be a doctoral student in the fall of 2012. She works with the current graduate students on environmental research related to water quality and LID practices. Her past research includes green roof construction and use in Oklahoma, and soil characterization for flocculation tests. Beitz’s advisor is Jason Vogel. Beitz earned her bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture at OSU in 2004, and her master’s degree in environmental science at OSU in 2010. Her previous employment experience includes working in St. Louis for the Covenant Theological Seminary as a landscape specialist, and for Poynter Landscape and Construction as a landscape architect for residential design. Beitz’s husband, Adam, works at Ditch Witch. They have a son named Cade who was born in Nov. 2011.Paul Munjoy is the new computer support specialist for BAE and the New Product Development Center. He previously worked with Mercruiser as a computer technician. Munjoy has two daughters and two grandchildren.

New BAE staff

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resource's Leadership League held its 6th annual Hunt for Hunger event on Nov. 15 during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Several CASNR student organization groups gathered and collected more than 2,774 non-perishable items and delivered them to the Mission of Hope in Stillwater. The clubs collecting the most goods were ASABE and Alpha Zeta. This event provides food to those in need and continues to help students get involved in their college, university and community.

OSU ASABE undergraduates lead the way to help Hunt 4 Hunger

BAEGSA club makes great strides during spring semesterThe BAE Graduate Student Association has achieved

substantial successes with their hard work. The group was awarded funding of more than $5,500 to continue with Phase II of their sustainability awareness initiative with the OSU Family Resource Center (FRC) as the hub of the Family and Graduate Housing north of campus. Furthermore, during a creativity

festival held in April the group was awarded the first place, earning $500.

For more information about the BAEGSA activities and successes view the BAE news page at http://biosystems.okstate.edu/BAENews.html#student.

BAE Update page 11www.biosystems.okstate.edu

BAE foundation updateThe Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering appreciates your past support of scholarships and funds tied to

the department! We continue to need increased diversification of our funding portfolio due to reduced base funding from state and federal sources over the last few years. Opportunities are available to increase the endowments for scholarships (more students will benefit) and to increase funding to specific programs that benefit the department well beyond scholarships (faculty and staff development, laboratory support, naming opportunities, and etc.). The department has a few specific initiatives (some new, some ongoing) including: embarking on a new scholarship in the name of Sam Harp (who initiated the Applications Engineer Program along with many other benefits to Oklahoma), the enhancement of support for our expanding study abroad programs, support for the Southeastern Student Rally that will be held in Oklahoma in 2013, upgrading the décor and quality of our main office and hallway entrances, and the development of Professorships to help us retain and reward our excellent faculty!

Thank you, | Dan Thomas, Ph.D., P.E. | Professor and Head

DASNR-BIOSF11

PA

YM

EN

T I

NF

OR

MA

TIO

N:

Other $ $100 $50 $25$250$500

PLEASE ACCEPT MY GIFT OF:

YES! COUNT ON MY SUPPORT FOR:

Biosystems & Ag Engineering

Please complete this form and return to

Please contact me about including the OSU Foundation in my estate plans.

Matching gift form enclosed - Employer:

CHECK: Please make checks payable to OSU Foundation.

BANK DRAFT: Necessary forms will be mailed to you upon return of this form.

CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE

NAME ON CARD

SIGNATURE

One-time gift Monthly Other: CREDIT CARD:

BEGINNING: ENDING: (Up to 5 Years)

SIGNATURE

Monthly Quarterly Semi-Annually Annually

THIS GIFT IS: INDIVIDUAL JOINT (TITLE, NAME, RELATIONSHIP)

*GIFTS TO THE OSU FOUNDATION MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

I PLEDGE A TOTAL OF $

TO BE PAID:

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

HOME PHONE CELL PHONE

PREFERRED EMAILY

OU

R I

NF

OR

MA

TIO

N:

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION 400 S. Monroe / Stillwater, OK 74074 / ph. 800.622.4678 / fax 405.385.5102info@OSUgiving.com / Give online at OSUgiving.com

DESIGNATED TO OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOR:

Dudley Barefoot Memorial Schol in Biosystems & Ag En 21-64300 Leon Crain Endowed Scholarship Fund 21-40300Dr. James and Ruby Garton Endowed Scholarship Fund 21-50700 Si & Kay Grider End Supporting Intl Experiences/Biosys Eng 21-50600C. T. Haan Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering Scholarship 21-42900Halliburton Power of Six Scholarship in BAE 21-63900 Larry Roth Endowed Scholarship 21-01600Ervin W. Schroeder Biosystems Engineering Endowed Scholarship 21-43000Dr. Marvin Stone Endowed Scholarship Fund 21-48300Friends of BAE Scholarship Endowment 21-64600 BAE Student Development Fund (Scholarships) 21-26600 BAE Student Professional Development Fund 21-48000 BAE Faculty Fund 21-01500

Flint Holbrook elected OSU student body PresidentFlint Holbrook, BAE junior from Clover, South Carolina, is the new Student Government Association

President-elect for the 2012-2013 school year.Holbrook is a member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and the OSU

Shotgun Team. He has been in SGA since 2009 as a freshman representative councilman. He was elected to Senate in January 2010 and stayed until last December. During his time in office he served as the Budget Chairman and Student Vice Chair. Holbrook is a Udall Scholar and previously owned and operated a biodiesel production facility, and currently is planning two new ventures.

Stephen Rogers is the SGA Vice President. Rogers is a senior studying political science.

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Stillwater, OKPermit No. 191

Address Service Requested

BAE UpdateDepartment of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering111 Agricultural HallStillwater, OK 74078-6016

Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies, prac-tices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. This publication is issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural resources and has been printed at a cost of $750 for 1,100 copies. 04/12 AE

The BAE Update is a publication of OSU’s Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and is published each semester to inform alumni and friends of activities in the department. We invite you to submit comments, story ideas or alumni updates to: BAE Update111 Agricultural HallStillwater, OK 74078405.744.5431baenews@okstate.edu

Editors: Dan Thomas and Nancy Rogers

Writing and design: Amanda Erichsen

BAE UpdateCalendar

ww

w.b

iosy

ste

ms.

oks

tate

.ed

u 2012May 4 - 5 | Spring Commencement

May 6 - 20 | ENGR 4060 study abroad courses, China and Brazil

May 31 - June 3 | 1/4-scale tractor competition, Peoria, IL

July 29 - August 1 | ASABE Annual International Meeting, Dallas

July 29 | BAE Alumni & Friends Social, Dallas, see p. 8 for details

August 20 | Fall semester begins

October 20 | Homecoming, vs. Iowa State University

December 15 | Fall Commencement

2013April 6 | BAE Student Awards Banquet (projected)

April 25 - 26 | Advisory Committee Meeting (projected)