Happy 1 Year Anniversary EGN2

Fast Facts

Fall ‘02 enrollment: 5,503
Up 9% from Fall ‘01

Largest freshman engineering class in the state.

Fall freshman enrollment 987

• Average high school GPA of 3.71

• 27% of incoming honors freshman (fall 2002) are in the college.

• 14 National Merit Scholars

College is #11 in number of degrees awarded to Hispanic students according to American Society of Electrical Engineers (ASEE)

Congratulations
JoAnne Puglisi, '73

The Lockheed Martin program manager will receive the distinguished Golden Knights 2002 Alumni Association Award at the October 22 Black and Gold Gala. JoAnne, who provides leadership for the College’s Alumni Chapter, credits the College of Engineering and Computer Science for giving her the foundation to build her career. She says her parents are the most influential people in her life. They taught her to value an education, to choose a career you enjoy and to make time for family.

Atrium to Become a Speakeasy
“Ain’t We Got Fun!”

On Saturday evening, November 9, the Alumni Chapter will turn the Atrium of the new Engineering II building into a 1920’s Speakeasy, complete with casino games like blackjack, roulette, craps and much more. Come dressed in “Roaring 20’s” attire or black tie optional. Silent and live auctions will also be held. All proceeds will support the Alumni Chapter’s scholarship endowment. For information on the benefits of a corporate sponsorship or table and for ticket information, contact Jill Ziegenfuss at the UCF Alumni Association at (407) 823-2586 or e-mail knights@ucfalumni.com.

L-R Cheerleading Linda Gooch, ‘85, JoAnne Puglisi, ‘73 and Andy Garvis, President- ISM

L-R Cheerleading Linda Gooch, '85, JoAnn Puglisi, '73 and Andy Garvis, President-ISM

Alumni Chapter

Engineering & Computer Science Alumni Chapter team up with the Athletics Department for our new sports tradition, constructed by engineering students Mauro Campos, Mark Cunningham, Christopher Propst and Allena Young under the mentorship of JoAnne Puglisi, ‘73. The project was partly supported by Industrial Smoke & Mirrors (ISM). Design was modeled after an actual castle in England. Our Footbal and basketball teams will run through the open castle gates at the start of their games.
Athletics Director, Steve Orsini says it all, “We are thankful to the College of Engineering for its creativity and generosity in building the castle for the Citrus Bowl. It will add to the atmosphere and tradition of our home games by giving the stadium a medieval feel as we prepare to battle our opponents. The athletics department is always proud to use products made by UCF students.”

Kudos!

The Army ROTC unit at UCF has been ranked by The U.S. Army Cadet Command as being in the top 15% of 270 units from across the nation.

Dr. Manoj Chopra, Assistant Chair and Associate Professor CEE has been selected as the 2002 Engineering Faculty Member of the Year by the Florida Engineering Society (FES).

Former Metroplan Chair & Seminole County Commisioner Dick Van Der Weide presents plaque to Dr. Cooper

Double KUDOS goes to Civil Engineering Professor Dr. David Cooper, who is the 2002 Lyman Ripperton awardee. Presented annually to an educator for distinguished achievement in air pollution control field and he was also presented with a Distinguished Community Partner for his continued
efforts to promote clear air in Central Florida. The award was given by the METROPLAN ORLANDO board, the transportation planning organization for Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.

Dr. Sherif El-Tawil, CEE Professor recently received the Norman Medal, the oldest and most prestigious award given by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for his research on earthquake engineering. It will be presented in November at the Annual ASCE National Convention in Washington, DC.

Dr. Linda Malone, was named Fellow of the American Statistical Association. Superlative honor signifying outstanding service to and leadership in the field of statistical science.

Dr. Essam Radwan, Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Department, has been selected by the American Society of Civil Engineers Urban Transportation Division as the recipient of the 2002 Frank M. Masters Transportation Engineering Award. It will be presented in November at the Annual Business Meeting of the ASCE National Convention in Washington, DC.

We send our good luck wishes to LTC Carol Lynn Judge who has transferred to another post. LTC Timothy Wieck is the new Chair for Air Force ROTC. He specializes in flight dynamics;cartridge actuated devices/propellant actuated devices (CAD/PAD); and national security affairs.

SPACE 2002 Participants

by: Jacqueline Smith

Photo by Marie Aguilar

Summer Program for Academic Careers in Engineering (SPACE) is an annual six-week residential summer program held for entering freshmen and transfer students. The 25 participants attended workshops for mathematics, chemistry, physics, C programming and visited 6 local industries to observe engineering in the workplace.

The goal of the program is to develop the self-confidence and background to successfully complete their undergraduate degree in engineering and computer science and be prepared to take advantage of graduate opportunities.

Closing ceremony and awards for outstanding presentation was held last July 26 at the Engineering 2-Atrium.

Introducing a New Combo: Sphaghetti & Jelly Beans

By Marie Aguilar

College of Engineering & Computer Science’s Introduction to Engineering class or what we commonly call EGN 1006, gives engineering a whole new persperctive. EGN1006 is a required subject for all engineering freshmen and includes activities that “open” the minds of our future engineers. The course which aims to provide students with the vision and knowledge of the engineering profession and the survival skills necessary to survive in the academic environment is done in a manner that excites our freshmen by providing unique activities in its curriculum. Activities such as pasta/jelly bean tower contests, potato race, legos, etc.

“The Goo Team” - Keith Bartholomew, Jonnie Yaptengco, Virginia Nasri, Andria Heikkinen

by Marie Aguilar

Nanotechnology is not a sequel to Mork & Mindy. The NANOPAC Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), funded by the National Science Foundation exposes students to the various aspects of nanotechnology which covers anything from microchips to microsurgery to pharmaceuticals to lasers and optics. Ten students from throughout the nation worked on various aspects of nanotechnology research. The ten-week program culminated with a presentation of the students’ research projects and certicate ceremony held at the Engineering 2-Atrium in July. Dr. Sudipta Seal, REU-Site Director says, “It was simply great fun.” For more information click here.

From the left: Tzvee Wood (NYU), Ronn Walvick (NJIT), Payam Bayardo (UCF), Ed Megen (UCF), Jessica Jenson (UF), Jill Adcox (UF), Brent Little (Brigham Young U, Utah), Lesley Chow (UF), M J Soileau (VP Research), Kurt Koch (U Missouri Rolla), Wess Salter (U Memphis), Karen Glidewell (AMPAC), Richard Vanfleet (AMPAC and Physics), Raj Vaidyanathan (AMPAC and MMAE), Kari Stiles (AMPAC), Vaidy (Asst VP Research), Marty Wanielista (Dean CECS) Sitting from left: Sudipta Seal (AMPAC/MMAE – REU Site Director), Mike Hajra (High School Student)

For information and story ideas contact:
maguilar@mail.ucf.edu
407-823-2641