College of Engineering News • Iowa State University

Engineering college appoints Mirka associate dean for education

The Iowa State University College of Engineering has named Gary Mirka the college’s associate dean for undergraduate and graduate education, effective January 3, 2011. Mirka, the John Ryder Professor and Department Chair of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering (IMSE), has been at Iowa State since 2007. Mirka will oversee student services, which includes undergraduate recruiting, …Continue reading “Engineering college appoints Mirka associate dean for education”

Iowa State and top Chinese technical university sign exchange agreements

Officials at Iowa State University and a leading technology university in China have signed agreements that will bring several top Chinese students each year to Iowa State to work on their degrees. The agreements with Dalian University of Technology will enable up to five Chinese PhD students a year in the sciences and engineering to …Continue reading “Iowa State and top Chinese technical university sign exchange agreements”

The engineering experience

Recently, a colleague and I were speaking about the “Iowa State experience” and why practical knowledge and leadership opportunities are such an important part of our institutional identity. What he said about Iowa State’s tradition of student engagement reflects what I see every day: that with more than 800 student clubs and organizations, a strong …Continue reading “The engineering experience”

Four engineering alums to receive awards during Homecoming

Michael Steffenson (BSChemE’59), this year’s recipient of the Anson Marston Medal, heads a list of College of Engineering alumni who will receive awards as part of Iowa State’s 2010 Homecoming activities. Umit Ozkan (PhDChemE’84) will receive the college’s Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering (PACE) award. Benjamin C. Bruns (BSConE’01) and Francis L. de los Reyes …Continue reading “Four engineering alums to receive awards during Homecoming”

MSE’s Kessler selected to participate in NAE symposium

Michael Kessler, associate professor of materials science and engineering, is one of 53 of the nation’s most innovative young engineering educators selected to take part in the National Academy of Engineering’s second Frontiers of Engineering Education (FOEE) symposium. Early-career faculty members who are developing and implementing innovative educational approaches in a variety of engineering disciplines …Continue reading “MSE’s Kessler selected to participate in NAE symposium”

Rollins to receive Eminent Engineers award

Professor Derrick Rollins has been selected as the recipient of the 2010 Minority Action Committee (MAC) Eminent Engineers Award presented by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Rollins, a professor of chemical and biological engineering (CBE), serves as professor-in-charge of community-based recruitment and transition programs for the College of Engineering. To be nominated for the …Continue reading “Rollins to receive Eminent Engineers award”

Quake simulation follows the real thing

Iowa State’s Sri Sritharan anticipated gathering important data during an earthquake simulation in Oklahoma on Wednesday, but he didn’t anticipate an actual earthquake occurring in the region. Sritharan is part of a multi-university team conducting research near Miami, Oklahoma. The Wilson Engineering Professor and associate chair of civil, construction, and environmental engineering noted that the …Continue reading “Quake simulation follows the real thing”

Sandbulte faculty fund established in college

Long-time Iowa State University supporters Arend “Sandy” and Verna Sandbulte of Duluth, Minn., and originally from Sioux Center, Iowa, have gifted over $500,000 to establish the Arend J. and Verna V. Sandbulte Faculty Fund at Iowa State University. The faculty fund will benefit Iowa State’s College of Engineering. The Arend J. and Verna V. Sandbulte …Continue reading “Sandbulte faculty fund established in college”

Memorial services set for Sam Kruger

Samuel “Sam” Kruger, 20, of Sibley, a sophomore in civil engineering at Iowa State University, died Friday night, Oct. 8, due to injuries sustained in an auto accident in O’Brien County. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, Iowa. Visitation is from 2 to 8 …Continue reading “Memorial services set for Sam Kruger”

College diversity fair to feature faculty workshops, keynote speaker

The College of Engineering’s 2nd Annual Diversity Fair, set for October 21, will feature faculty workshops and a prominent keynote speaker: Scott Page, director of the Center for the Study of Complex Systems at the University of Michigan, where he serves as Leonid Hurwicz Collegiate Professor of Complex Systems, Economics and Political Science. This year’s …Continue reading “College diversity fair to feature faculty workshops, keynote speaker”

Student dies after car/pedestrian accident

Jonathan Brown, an Iowa State student who was struck by a vehicle approximately one-half mile from Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 2, died Thursday morning, Oct. 7. Brown was a junior in computer engineering. “On behalf of the university community,” ISU President Geoffroy said, “I wish to express our deepest sympathy to Jonathan Brown’s …Continue reading “Student dies after car/pedestrian accident”

Adding bio-oil to asphalt leads to demonstration project for CCEE’s Williams

Associate Professor Christopher Williams was just trying to see if adding bio-oil to asphalt would improve the hot- and cold-weather performance of pavements. What he found was a possible green replacement for asphalt derived from petroleum.

More than numbers

When asked about the difference between scientists and engineers, Albert Einstein is said to have remarked, “Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never existed.” I like to make that point to young people when I speak of the engineering profession and its rewards. Engineers put science to work and literally …Continue reading “More than numbers”

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