March, 2003
The College of Engineering is pleased to release the third issue of Engineering @ Texas, an e-newsletter intended to keep alumni and friends of the UT College of Engineering informed about programs, students, faculty, research and alumni at the College
IN THE NEWS
World-leading authority on biomaterials and drug delivery joins UT Faculty
Dr. Nicholas Peppas, one of the world's leading authorities on biomaterials and drug delivery, has joined the faculty of the College of Engineering and the College of Pharmacy. His research projects focus on drug delivery systems that eliminate insulin injections by diabetics, "nano-robots" that circulate through the human body removing harmful substances, improved materials for contact lenses and laser surgery implants.
Leading UT Civil Engineer advises Congress on addressing spiraling highway and transit needs
C. Michael Walton, a respected authority on surface transportation who is chairman of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, testified before the House Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines. He said that more must be spent on highway and transit improvements and intelligent transportation systems-advanced information technologies and networks-in order to prevent highway fatalities, reduce congestion and improve quality of life.
Computational engineering and science research institute established at UT
A new institute to provide the intellectual leadership and infrastructure for conducting world-class interdisciplinary research in the fields of computational science, engineering and technology has been created at The University of Texas at Austin. The Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES) was made possible by a $38 million investment, $15 million from an anonymous donor, $8 million from industrial partners and $15 million in university matching funds, said Dr. Larry R. Faulkner, president of The University of Texas at Austin.
Alumnus Charles E. McQueary Nominated to Serve on Bush Administration
President George W. Bush announced his intention to nominate two individuals and designate two individuals to serve as members of his administration, one a former student of the UT College of Engineering.
Annual Rube Goldberg machine competition a success
Every February, teams of engineering students from all over the country scramble to put the final touches on odd-looking, one-of-a-kind machines that will never be mass-marketed or find their way into America's living rooms. The strange contraptions, devilishly complicated and loaded with whimsical touches--comical or sentimental or both--are entries in the annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest, which challenges students to engineer the most complex device possible to perform a simple task in 20 steps or more.
Asteroid named after popular ASE Professor
Dr. Ivo Babuska, a University of Texas at Austin professor of aerospace engineering, has been honored by having an asteroid named for him. Number 36060, a three-plus-mile-diameter planetoid that orbits the sun every 4.17 years, is now officially known as 36060 Babuska.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vote for your favorite student organization Alec statue today!
The College of Engineering is pleased to announce the celebration of Alec's Birthday on Tuesday, April 1st. Alec, the College's patron saint of engineering and symbol of innovation and perseverance, has become a prominent figure throughout the Engineering student and alumni body. To continue the fun tradition of Alec, the Engineering Alumni Relations Office has teamed up with the Friends of Alec Annual Giving Program to sponsor the 2nd Annual Engineering Student Organization Alec Building Contest. Each participating student organization is given $20 and is asked to "engineer" a new Alec statue that can be used throughout the year at various events. Students, faculty, staff and now alumni are asked to vote online and help choose the winners of the contest, which are announced at Alec's Birthday Party on April 1st in the ECJ building on campus.
To vote in this contest, you must have a UT EID. If you don't have an UT EID, visit the UT EID website.
Vote today and help choose the next Alec - vote online at the Alec Building Contest Voting webpage.
For more details about the Alec Building Contest and Alec, as well as pictures from last year's contest, visit the Alec Building Contest information website.
Help us build our mentoring program
Due to the huge interest expressed by alumni to become a mentor and the number of students requesting this service, the Engineering Alumni Relations Office has paired up with the Women in Engineering Program to test a pilot email mentoring program! Our hopes are that after the pilot is completed, we will be able to expand this service to all current and prospective UT Engineering students.
This mentoring program has been given the name of "GUIDE" (Graduates, Undergraduates, and Industry Discussing Engineering). This program is designed to provide career advice and guidance through a structured email mentoring system. By bringing together UT engineering students and industry professionals, the GUIDE Program provides an exciting and valuable forum for students and engineers to discuss key issues facing them in engineering, such as career options, career planning, mentoring, work and family balance, strategies for promotions, and gender differences in the workplace.
In order for you to participate in this pilot, you must sign up online in order to be in the first round of mentor-mentee pairings. We will need LOTS of mentors as it is expected that over 100 students will sign up. To register, follow the online instructions on the GUIDE website.
If you are interested in volunteering in other ways, sign up on the College of Engineering Alumni Volunteer Network website and join hundreds of your fellow engineering alumni in making a difference!
Building Engineering History - submit your memories today
Many departments within the College of Engineering have begun putting together their histories. Help make this possible by submitting your memories to the College!
General College of Engineering Memories | Mechanical Engineering Memories | General UT Memories
Mechanical Engineering is currently taking orders for "The History of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin." To reserve your copy, please contact Joanna Hofer at hofer@mail.utexas.edu.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Read about our Featured Past Event - Women in Engineering's successful Evening with Industry Banquet!
Mark your calendars - UT Engineering has a busy schedule that we want you to be part of!
Alec's Birthday/Student Organization Alec Building Contest
April 1, 2003
Contact: Alumni Relations, 512-471-2784, lschooley@mail.utexas.edu
ECEntury Fajita Fest
April 4, 2003
Contact: Stephanie Peco, 512-232-4298, speco@mail.utexas.edu
Equal Opportunity in Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet
April 24, 2003
Contact: Andrea Ogilvie, 512-471-5953, aogilvie@mail.utexas.edu
50 Year Reunion - Class of 1953
April 24-25, 2003
Contact: Alumni Relations, 512-471-2784, lschooley@mail.utexas.edu
WEP 10 Year Celebration and SWE Banquet
April 25, 2003
Contact: Tricia Berry, 512-471-5650, tsberry@mail.utexas.edu
McKetta's Picnic and ChE Alumni Club Meeting
April 26, 2003
Contact: Tricia Berry, 512-471-5650, tsberry@mail.utexas.edu
Order of the Engineer Alumni Ring Ceremony
May 31, 2003
Contact: Alumni Relations, 512-471-2784, lschooley@mail.utexas.edu
ME Back to School Bash
August 26, 2003
Contact: Joanna Hofer, 512-471-2832, hofer@mail.utexas.edu
CE Centennial Celebration Weekend - All CE Alumni
November 7-9, 2003
Contact: Kelsey Evans, 512-471-6151, kelsey.evans@mail.utexas.edu
College of Engineering Alumni Homecoming Weekend
November 14-16, 2003
Contact: Alumni Relations, 512-471-2784, lschooley@mail.utexas.edu
WANT MORE?
College of Engineering Alumni website
Update your address, view up-to-date info on alumni and campus events, participate in the Friends of Alec Annual Giving Program, and much more
College of Engineering News
Read the College of Engineering's most recent news releases
Friends of Alec Annual Giving Program
Learn about how you can support the College of Engineering
UT News
Read the University's most recent news releases
Daily Texan online
Read about what's happening on campus at the Daily Texan online