Graduates Recognized at Ceremony
The University of Kansas School of Engineering honored its graduates at a recognition ceremony, Sunday, May 18, 2008.
- Brett
- Michael
- Kaitlyn
- Heather
- Adam
- Adam
- David
- Laura
- Amanda
Five faculty members also received awards during the event.
Javier Guzman, assistant professor of chemical and petroleum engineering, was selected by students to receive the Gould Award for Undergraduate Education. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient. Students wrote that Guzman brings an enthusiasm and energy to his class that demonstrates his passion for education. His classroom examples help students solidify the concepts and assist with homework. Guzman is given credit for how deeply he integrates the textbook into the course.
Michael Detamore, assistant professor of chemical and petroleum engineering, was selected to receive the Gould Award for Outstanding Advisor. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient. Students wrote that Detamore steps beyond the usual boundaries of adviser to help any student who comes seeking guidance.
He has been heavily involved in the creation of the student chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society.
Detamore also has helped students pursue graduate study opportunities, navigate the application process and celebrate their successes.
Shannon Blunt, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science was selected by a faculty committee to receive the Miller Professional Development Award for Research. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient. Blunt joined the university in 2005 and his funding awards stand at nearly $2 million. This year, Blunt was selected to receive the prestigious Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Award. In addition, he is a prolific author, writing numerous journal and conference papers.
Xue-Wen Chen, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, was selected by a faculty committee to receive the Miller Professional Development Award for Service. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient. Chen has built an impressive record of service to both national and international organizations. Among his many activities since joining the university in 2003, are chairing or co-chairing two conferences and four workshops in his field of bioinformatics and machine learning. He also serves on the editorial board of four international journals and has served as a panelist for the National Science Foundation.
Lorin Maletsky, associate professor of mechanical engineering, was selected by a faculty committee to receive the John E. Sharp and Winifred E. Sharp Teaching Professorship. The award lasts three years and includes an annual personal award of $5,000 plus access to $5,000 annually for instructional development. Maletsky has been active in improving the educational program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering by incorporating improved design, manufacturing and laboratory experiences. He has developed special advising programs for the KU Honors Program. He also has worked to bring additional grant funding to the department to update laboratory facilities and equipment. Moreover, Maletsky has brought modern communication channels in the classroom, utilizing blogs, wikis and podcasts in his introductory design class.
More than 275 students at the graduate and undergraduate level earned the right to take part in the ceremony held at the Lied Center for the Performing Arts.
During the ceremony, 10 undergraduate students were honored as the outstanding graduating senior in their degree program. One of these students, Kaitlyn Kelly, a senior in chemical engineering, was named the recipient of the Sammie and Carl Locke Award for outstanding graduating senior in the School of Engineering in 2008.
The outstanding graduating seniors for 2008 are:
- James