What's New at ESM?

J. Glenn Ebersole, Masters of Engineering, Engineering Science ’73, of Lancaster has been elected Chairman of the UHLC (Utility Highway Liaison Committee). The UHLC is comprised of representatives of all the utility companies in Pennsylvania and each of the eleven (11) PennDOT Engineering Districts and the PennDOT Central Office Bureaus, including the Office of Chief Counsel and bureaus responsible for utility design, relocation, permitting and related matters in the Commonwealth.

A primary mission of the committee is to provide a forum for open discussion of issues, challenges and opportunities and to foster an enhanced atmosphere of cooperation between the Commonwealth utility companies and PennDOT. To learn more about Glenn, please visit his website.

Dr. Judith A. Todd, P.B. Breneman Department Head Chair, the Alumni Advisory Board, and the Department of ESM hosted the 2nd alumni regional meeting at the Penn State Great Valley campus, Malvern, PA on Thursday, June 5, 2008.

The evening highlighted a social hour for alumni to catch up on one another’s accomplishments, a presentation on the state-of-the-department by Dr. Judith Todd, a presentation from Ravindran Akarapu on his perspectives as a research associate and a talk by Abdalla Nassaur on his views as a recent graduate. To complete the evening a dinner was enjoyed by all attendees.

The next meeting is scheduled in the fall to be in the DC/Virginia area. Stay tuned for more details.

Steve Osborn, Vice President for Quality Compliance and Improvement at St. Vincent Health Center, a 1980 graduate in engineering science and mechanics. visited the ESM department on March 27. During his stay, he delivered a presentation to students with perspectives on selecting careers in various industries, particularly healthcare, and on opportunities for engineers in management and quality fields.

Mr. Glen Chatfield (BS E SC ’65), ESM Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) Vice Chair and Chair of the Development and Alumni Relations Committee, and his wife Betsy hosted the first ESM Alumni regional meeting in Pittsburgh, PA, Wednesday, February 20, at the Duquesne Club in downtown Pittsburgh.

It was a lively evening of meeting fellow alum and learning about the ESM Department that included a talk by Carolyn Denome (BS E SC ’07) on the student-centered atmosphere of ESM; the Nano-Bio research activities of Dr. Tony Huang, Assistant Professor of ESM, and a presentation high-lighting ground-breaking departmental research and initiatives presented by Dr. Judy Todd, ESM Department Head.

On January 17, Chuck Dages, ’77 masters of engineering science graduate and 2005 Engineering Science and Mechanics Outstanding Engineering Alumni, was named the Executive Vice President, Emerging Technology, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

In his new role, Dages retains his Executive Vice President title but moves from Warner Bros. Technical Operations to the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group where he will continue to have oversight of Motion Picture Imaging (the Studio’s post production facility for film mastering, restoration and digital imaging for motion picture and television) and the Advanced Media Editorial department (prepares feature films for distribution on airlines, cable networks and broadcast television). Additionally, he will lead various projects involving industry and government groups related to repurposing the Studio’s entertainment assets.

Congratulations Chuck for achieving this next step in your career!

Dr. John F. Conley, Jr., (Ph.D., ESMCH, 1995) has been appointed as one of three signature faculty fellows at Oregon State University's Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI). Dr. Conley received his doctorate in engineering science and mechanics, under the direction of Dr. Patrick M. Lenahan in 1995. Since then Dr. Conley has achieved success as a leading materials scientist with an outstanding record of technical papers and patents during his professional career at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Dynamics Research Corporation and Sharp Laboratories of America.

Join ESM in congratulating one of our own! For additional information about John and his many accomplishments, visit this website.

Mr. Jesse Hecht, (B. S., E SC, 2004) recently returned to the department to recruit both undergraduate and graduate students. Mr. Hecht is employed in the Launch and Test Operations Group of SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies)--a company that he describes as having significant growth potential for employees.

In August, 2006, SpaceX was selected by NASA to demonstrate delivery and return of cargo (reusable commercial space vehicles) to the International Space Station. Mr. Hecht's own involvement has included the satellite launch team and the development of a new launch pad at Cape Canaveral where his primary thrust has been devoted to the turn around vehicles for the shuttle.

Mr. Hecht is a member of the Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) newly created ESM Alumni Advisory Board and may be contacted at Jesse.hecht@spacex.com

Mr. Michael Erdman, ESM Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) Chair, is pleased to announce that the newly formed AAB is hosting an ESM Tailgate at the October 13th Penn State homecoming football game.

Mr. Erdman notes this is the first of many AAB activities planned to help create a community of ESM Alumni committed to assisting students in their careers and to furthering the goals of the Department. Opportunities for involvement include: Development and Alumni Relations; Recruitment, Retention and Placement; and Identity and Communications.

For further information, visit the ESM Alumni website.

Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) alumni have joined forces to create the ESM Alumni Advisory Board (AAB).The mission of the ESM Alumni Advisory board is to advance the Department's world-wide recognition, specifically in recruiting and retaining diverse, quality students, preparing these students for the work environment, and promoting the understanding, attractiveness, and perceived value of ESM in industry, research, and academia.

To execute this mission, the Alumni Advisory Board, working closely with Department faculty and staff, will establish an active network of alumni and students, interact with all involved parties to generate strong communication paths, and advocate for Department initiatives and ESM students throughout the "lifecycle" of their recruitment, education, and careers.

Chris Gabrys (Ph.D., 1996) and co-founder Tim Rodgers are the inventors behind the wind technology of Mariah Power of Reno, Nevada. Gabrys and Rodgers devoted three years of research and product development to create a "revolutionary new clean energy solution" they call Windspire. Marketed as an "environmentally friendly, propeller-free wind power appliance that is exceptionally quiet" Windspire is the founders' vision of a residential wind-energy product realized.

Gabrys, Mariah Power Company, and Windspire were feature in the July 2007 issue of Prosper Magazine.