The Presidential Scholarship is the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship offered by the University of Toledo. Two of the four incoming freshman recipients this year are from the College of Engineering. Jason Gonring (left) is an Electrical Engineering major from Lambertville MI, and Roan Martin-Hayden (right) is a Computer Science and Engineering major from Ottawa Hills. Congratulations Jason and Roan- keep up the good work!

2015 Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Rickey J. Shyne, Ph.D, P.E. was welcomed back to the College of Engineering with a reception on Friday, October 9th. Dr. Shyne received his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D in Engineering Science from the UT College of Engineering. He is now Director of Research and Engineering at NASA Glenn Research Center, where he has held various leadership roles for 32 years. In 2013, Dr. Shyne was selected for the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service by President Obama from a select group of career senior executives who have provided exceptional service to the American people. Dr. Shyne also serves as a board member of the Cleveland Engineering Society and Minds Matter, a non-profit whose mission is to transform the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success.

Dr. Shyne delivered a lecture for engineering students, faculty, and staff on Friday following the Distinguished Alumnus reception. His lecture addressed the far reach of technology developed by NASA. “We look at the intersection of opportunities to use our technology to make an impact here on earth,” Dr. Shyne commented.  For example, the Cleveland Clinic used NASA flow visualization software with patient MRI images to visualize stresses during walking to study how diabetic foot ulcers develop, and Chevy used NASA topology mapping software to directly or indirectly alter vehicle speed to maximize MPG based on road conditions.

The presentation included a picture of one of the first computers ever built, which occupied an entire room. Holding up his cell phone, Dr. Shyne stressed the importance of materials research and thermal control in enabling the computing power of that first computer to fit in the palm of a hand. “No one envisioned that THIS would ever be able to do what that first computer did,” Dr. Shyne noted, followed by an appeal to students: “Help us to continue to look at things differently.”

Dr. Shyne was honored at the annual Homecoming Gala on Friday night where he received the Distinguished Alumnus award. His wife Eulanda and two sons, Eric and Rickey Jr. attended the Gala and rode in the Homecoming parade on Saturday morning before attending the Homecoming football game in the afternoon.

On September 26th, Rocket Motorsports Formula SAE team traveled to Toronto, Canada for the University of Toronto Shootout. Three drivers from Rocket Motorsports placed with impressive times among 54 drivers and 16 teams.

After countless hours of preparation and a morning of throttle and shifter issues, the team drove away with second place overall. Driver Neal Wagner also drove away with the second fastest lap time of the day with a time of 67.010 seconds, only 0.020 seconds behind first place. Andrew Lesiecki placed fourth with a time of 67.309 seconds, and Jonathan Lesiecki placed sixteenth with a time of 73.900 seconds. Cooper Tire supplied the team with tires for the event, and Courtney Engineering Company sponsored the team’s travel to the event and camping for the weekend.

Rocket Motorsports attended their final race of the season on October 3rd at the Lawrence Tech Grand Prix. The team competed for fastest lap time as well as most laps completed. Despite a morning of overcast weather and dry asphalt and an afternoon of rain and wet asphalt, the team still drove some of the fastest laps all day. Rookie driver Jonathon Lesiecki made the team’s fastest dry time of the day as well as fastest wet time of the day. The team drove away with first place overall for the second year in a row. The team also won most laps driven- a feat also accomplished by Lesiecki. It was the first event new Formula SAE members could attend, and the last event of the season. Cooper Tyre supplied the team with race slicks, and Courtney Engineering Company sponsored the team’s transportation.

Rocket Motorsports will surely carry the energy from these wins as they drive, full throttle, into the upcoming season. The team will kick off their 2016 season at Michigan International Speedway May 11th-14th 2016.

The mission of Rocket Motorsports, a Formula SAE team, is to achieve new designs and push the envelope to find more efficient and economical engineering solutions. FSAE gives students a chance to experiment with new technologies such as ethanol based fuels combined with extensive research in kinematics, dynamics, fluids, aerodynamic properties, and electronics to come up with safer and more economical designs that offer greater performance and reliability. Additionally FSAE strives to pass on knowledge and professionalism to new students creating future business and industry leaders. 

To get in touch with the team, send an email to sae@eng.utoledo.edu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl5UWQCsEWo&feature=youtu.be

On Wednesday, October 7th, the College of Engineering dedicated the Craig and Kathy Bowie Rocket Lounge.

Craig and Kathy Bowie, both UT alums, provided a substantial gift to start the Engineering Professional Development Fund.  This fund provides for the implementation of a public speaking and human relations module, based on the principles and practices advocated by Mr. Dale Carnegie. The purpose of this program is to help engineering students build greater self-confidence by improving their communication and leadership skills.   The new professional development program is geared towards helping students conduct themselves professionally and with confidence  in their co-ops and careers.

As part of the initial implementation, the College will offer each freshman the opportunity to participate in a specially designed, abbreviated Dale Carnegie training program to help prepare them for their future contributions in the corporate world. In honor of the gift from the Bowies, the College named the new student lounge after them. “This contribution of ours to the University is our way of saying thanks to the University that we both attended,” Bowie said at the dedication.

The idea for a new student lounge, located on the second floor of Nitschke Hall, arose from plans to expand the Engineering Career Development Center and undergraduate office area with the addition of a new conference room. The addition extended into the atrium of Nitschke Hall, providing additional floor space on the second floor. This space was transformed into a much needed space for students to gather, to study, and to relax between classes. It features plenty of desk and table space for working, many stations for charging phones and laptops, and comfortable seating for taking a break in between class and studying. This space belongs to students and caters to their needs.