Encounter

We Remember!

2009-09-11T22:21:00.000-07:00

We Remember is a special section of Encounter in which we honor the lives of the men and women in the OU engineering family who are no longer with us. If we have omitted anyone, it was unintentional. Please contact us so we can pay appropriate tribute to our alumni.

John Richards Leonard, born April 12, 1918, passed away peacefully in Houston on August 27, 2008. John was born in Parkersburg, WV, the oldest of five children. When he was five years old, the family moved to Texas, where their father was employed in the oil patch in the area around Abilene. He graduated from Merkel High School in 1936 and enrolled in the University of Oklahoma at Norman, majoring in mechanical engineering. To pay for his education, he worked full-time for the Magnolia Petroleum Company (now Exxon-Mobil) in Oklahoma City, and went to college part-time in Norman. His education was interrupted by World War II, and he entered the Army Air Corps as a Second Lieutenant in 1942. Honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of Captain, he moved his wife and baby daughter to Norman and completed his degree on the GI Bill.

He began his post-war career as a mechanical engineer in the Natural Gas Department at the Magnolia headquarters office in Dallas, the city where his son was born. He and his family moved many times in the course of the next 30 years, including Ulysses, Kansas; Chickasha, Oklahoma; Midland, Texas; and Vanderbilt, Texas; finally coming to Houston in 1960. In 1975, he retired from Exxon-Mobil and worked as a consultant on North Sea projects in Norway and England.

Edwin C. Lindenberg - passed peacefully from this life on September 27, 2008. He was born on April 19, 1925, in Fort Wayne IN, to Edwin C. and Olga Ortlieb Lindenberg.

At the age of 18, he left Fort Wayne and went to College on a U.S. Navy scholarship at University of Oklahoma November 1943 in the V-12 program. He was commissioned as Ensign and served on the Navy Tanker USS Sabine (AO-25) and was discharged in 1946. At OU he lettered in basketball, was a member of the Sigma Epsilon fraternity, and met his wife, Joan Seneker. In 1948, he received his degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He moved to Sapulpa, OK where he and Joan were married in November 16, 1947, at which time he began his 36-year career with Warren Petroleum and Gulf Oil Co. After a living in many different countries and returning back to Tulsa, he retired in 1983, as Senior Vice President of Warren Petroleum. Dedicated to the GPA (Gas Processors Association), Ed served on the GPA Board 1974-1983, President-Elect- 1980-1981, President - 1981-1982, as well as served on the International Committee as Co-Chair 1982-1989. He received the Citation for Service Award in 1994. He was the first GPA Director and President to serve from outside the continental United States and as President, established the first GPA Chapter of Gas Processing Professionals outside the United States. He was the first real President for the GPA expansion into the International gas processing industry. In 1980, he was the first foreign-based President who previously served assignments in Kuwait, Latin America the Far East. He was deeply impressed with the need for continuing contact with GPA as the technological center of the gas processing industry. He also was a member of various organizations such as TESCOT, U.S. Power Squadron, U.S.T.A. Missouri Valley, Sapulpa City Council, OU Alumni Association, Alzheimer's Association and so many others.

Garman Oscar Kimmell, Jr., 95, passed away on November 8, 2008. He was born in Hutton, Maryland, on October 7, 1913, to Garman O. and Marie L. Kimmell, Sr. and moved to Wichita, Kansas, with his parents and sister, Melba, as a young boy. Garman received his MS in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1937 and married Vera Pauline Setzer, on July 10, 1938. They settled in Oklahoma City; and after working for Black Sivalls, & Bryson as Chief Researcher for 11 years, he founded Kimray, Inc. in 1948, a manufacturer of oil and gas equipment and controls. Garman invented and designed most of the products manufactured by Kimray and served as President and Chief Developer for 57 years, seeing the company grow from 4 employees to over 550. He has received 28 patents. Garman designed and manufactured medical devices, including the equipment used to perform the first open-heart surgery in Oklahoma by doctors Greer, Carey, Zuhdi, Holly and Hartsuck, at Mercy Hospital, where he also served with them as the Technical Physicist. The Vena-Cava Filter he invented has been used in over a half million patients.

Garman was involved in educating, lecturing, and teaching at high schools, colleges, civic organization, and Christian groups. He served as a mentor for Junior Achievement and on numerous boards. Garman recorded the Oklahoma Philharmonic Orchestra for 30 years as a public service, with recordings aired on KCSC. He was instrumental in the promotion and funding of the Character Training Institute in downtown Oklahoma City, a worldwide organization promoting character development in families, businesses, schools, governments, prisons, and churches.

Adin Harry Hall, son of Susan and Leonard Hall, died January 5, 2009. Adin was born in Fairview, Oklahoma, on March 15, 1919. He was a graduate of Oklahoma University with a B. S. in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma and was selected as a junior to Tau Beta Phi engineering honor fraternity. He later obtained an M. S. in Metallurgy from University of Houston. He met his future wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Bailey, while at OU. They were married in Dallas, Texas, in 1943.

During his four years in WWII, Adin served as Director of Administration at the Ordnance Unit Training Center, Red River Ordnance Depot, Texarkana, TX, earned the rank of Major. He was employed by Shell Oil Company for 40 years, obtaining several patents and reorganizing their Loss Control Division, which subsequently served as a model for oil companies worldwide. For years, he represented the American Petroleum Institute at conferences around the world. In 1975 he presented a paper on petroleum measurement at the World Petroleum Congress in Tokyo. Adin was an active member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Houston, TX and the Austin Rotary Club. He received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award.

William D Harris, Jr., passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2009 in Dallas, Texas after a brief illness. He was born on June 18, 1929 in Marietta, Oklahoma to William D. Harris, Sr. and Johnnie Maude Harris, where he lived until completing high school and where he was quarterback of his high school football team. He received his degree in chemical engineering from Oklahoma University in 1952 where he was elected to Tau Beta Pi, and worked briefly in engineering. After military service as a first lieutenant in the United States Army, he returned to OU to get his law degree in 1957. While in law school he had the honor to serve as editor-in-chief of the law review and was in the Order of the Coif. He worked for many years as an intellectual property attorney with his firm in Dallas, specializing in patent, trademark, and copyright litigation. He was well respected in his field and received the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dallas/Fort Worth Intellectual Property Association in January 2002. He served on and chaired the Grievance Committee for the Dallas Bar Association for many years. He was a pioneer in the field of patent law and served as a mentor to many young attorneys.

Mr. Eddie Utaki Nakayama, 85, retired Phillips Petroleum Company Process Engineer, died at 3:59 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2009, in the Jane Phillips Medical Center.

A native of Plattville, Colorado, Eddie Utaki Nakayama was born March 29, 1923. He was the son of Lloyd Masujiro and Hisako (Uyeda) Nakayama. He was reared in Plattville and began his education there. When he was 11 years old, he moved with his family to Oklahoma City where he completed his elementary school and was graduated from Central High School with the Senior Class of 1941. He continued his education at the University of Oklahoma and was graduated with a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering in May of 1944. He was enlisted in the United States Army on July 19, 1944 and received his honorable discharge on July 6, 1946. He began his longtime employment with Phillips Petroleum Company in the Western District, Goldsmith, Texas, Gasoline Plant, and was transferred to Odessa, Texas. In 1951, he came to Bartlesville with the Gasoline Department, and then transferred into the Refining Department.

Eddie and Miss Helen Sasaki were united in marriage in Oklahoma City on December 14, 1951 and they established their home in Bartlesville. Eddie was retired from the local company in April of 1985. He was a devoted husband and father and loved to spend time in his garden and fishing.

John Charles Law passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2009 from his residence at the age of 84. He had lived in the Covington/Mandeville area for 38 years. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to the late Clarence G. and Leah H. Law.

A veteran of World War II, he served in the Marshall and Mariana Islands with the U.S. Navy, Seabees, 110th Battalion. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Civil Engineering and was employed by Chevron for 35 years retiring in 1986 as a Production Superintendent.

William K. "Bill" Garms, 88, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 28, 2009, at his home in Tulsa, OK. He was born November 11, 1920, on a farm in Kingfisher County. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was a member of The RufNeks, Loyal Knights of Old Trusty and the marching band. Bill joined the Army Air Corp in 1941 and served in the Intelligence Section in the European Theater for 42 months. He left active duty with the rank of Captain and was in the retired Reserve of the USAF. Bill retired from Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation after 25 years of service. He then joined the Wheatley Company and later the Judd Valve Company. He was a registered Professional Engineer in Oklahoma and Texas and held offices in the Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers.

William V. Gasser, 87, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2009, in Tulsa. Bill was born in Fond du Lac, WI, February 2, 1922. He graduated from high school in Sheboygan, WI and received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma University in June 1949.

Bill was 1st Lt. and pilot in the Air Force flying left seat B-26 in the Mediterranean Theater overseas during WWII. Flying 66 missions over North Africa, Italy and France, Bill was decorated with the Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf clusters and the Purple Heart, Distinguished Unit Citation, and Croix de Guerre with Palm. Bill instructed Air Force cadets at Frederick, OK where he met and married his wife of 63 years, Mary Lois Cunningham. He also instructed cadets in Enid before his discharge.

Bill completed an 18 month Graduate Engineers Training Course in Milwaukee at Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Co. and worked in Omaha NE, transferring to the Tulsa office in 1952. Bill became District Mgr. for Marathon Electric Co. In 1957, he became General Mgr. of Service Tool Div. of Automation Industries in Tulsa. Bill started his own company in 1964, Gasser Construction Co., designing and manufacturing pre-cast concrete panels and erecting over 400 buildings over a span of 43 years in the Tulsa area.

Welcome from Lisa Morris, Chair of the DABD

2009-09-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

I am always excited about reading a new Encounter but am especially excited about this edition. Typically, we tend to think about diversity solely as it relates to race. We may even extend those thoughts to include gender. As the current chair of the Dean's Advisory Board on Diversity, I am pleased that the articles in this special Diversity Encounter take a broader perspective of diversity as it relates to our College.

Through these articles, we can view our College of Engineering through the lens of time as we look back on part of our history, as we become witnesses to what we're accomplishing today, and as we imagine the great successes that are to come. The stories illustrate the variety of academic goals and pursuits of our students in addition to how their differing paths brought them to a common place - the University of Oklahoma's College of Engineering.

From the bird's eye view of this edition, there is a consistent, underlying thread from all the contributors. The article by Dean Tom Landers provides insight through the lens of time and as seen through a kaleidoscope of our technical pursuits and achievements. The welcome from Diversity and MEP Director, Liz Cook and the story about our beloved Wayne Steen further illustrate these perspectives.

For those of us who knew him, including many of us on the DABD, the article on Wayne is near and dear to our hearts. It helps paint the picture of a wonderful man who truly cared about students and whose work ethic caused him to do more for students than his job description dictated. He was a man who effortlessly worked with diverse groups of people. You see, Wayne saw and appreciated the differences as well as the commonalities of his students, and through his leadership, others did too. Because Wayne touched so many people, the DABD established an annual scholarship in his honor that is awarded to undergraduate students exhibiting those same admirable characteristics. Kelan Berry is this years scholarship recipient. Jesus Avila was last year's recipient. It is in students like Kelan and Jesus that Wayne's legacy continues.

I hope that once you finish reading your Encounter, you'll be as ready to participate in our College's upcoming Centennial festivities as I am, as we set out to celebrate our past, our present, and our future.

Kelly Tran, Computer Science Graduate Spotlight

2009-08-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

By Karen Kelly

Norman, Okla. is a world away from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where Kelly Tran was born. Yet, Kelly has discovered the University of Oklahoma College of Engineering as the perfect place to study and develop her passion in computer science.

Kelly’s love of programming began in the second grade when she was introduced to Pascal. By the time she was in sixth grade, Kelly was able to analyze and better understand the programming process. When asked, “Why computer science?” Kelly responds without hesitation, “I like to see the computer respond to something I told it to do.”

Kelly came to Oklahoma as a high school exchange student when she was 18. She attended Carl Albert State College for two years before entering the computer science program at OU. Upon arrival, she wasted no time in applying herself, not only to her undergraduate degree, but also in the university community at-large. According to Kelly, it was her adviser and mentor, Deborah Trytten, who made her transition to OU a smooth one. “She was always available to counsel and give wise advice,” Kelly said.

The admiration between student and professor is reciprocal. As to Kelly's work ethic, Trytten states, “Kelly's intelligent, motivated, hard working, but also fully connected to her family and community. She has spent 2 1/2 years on a collaboration with the K20 Center in developing an educational multi-player online computer game, McLarin Adventures. She was one of the lead developers in the new OU2GO iPhone application, and was selected to maintain and continue its development. She gets more done in a week than many people do in a month.”

Kelly plans to graduate with an accelerated master of science degree in computer science May 2010. She hopes to gain experience working in her field for two years before returning to OU College of Law to study patent law in order to protect the solutions engineers develop.

Kelly is thankful for her parents who were willing to make sacrifices to invest in their children’s education. It is obvious that their investment is reaping a remarkable return.

Wayne Steen Memorial scholarship recipients

2009-08-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

At the Minority Engineering Program's banquet in April, Kelan Berry was awarded the prestigious Wayne Steen Memorial MEP Scholarship for the 2009-10 year. Kelan said he considers this "the greatest honor," for he understands the significance of the memorial fund established by the man whose name his scholarship bears.

Kelan, a senior industrial engineering major from Oklahoma City, was introduced to students from OU's industrial engineering program during a high school physics class. He was impressed with what he learned, so he visited campus. There, he met Ben Lopez, interim diversity and MEP director, making an instant connection with what would become his home away from home.

Kelan was selected as an Oklahoma Alliance for Minority Participation in Science, Engineering and Math scholar his sophomore year. He participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program, during which he worked as a lab assistant and gained experience in making presentations on research he conducted.

Inspired by his professors and his love for learning, Kelan's ultimate goal is to continue his journey in higher education. He intends to pursue his master’s and doctoral level degrees, thereby equipping him to inspire others from the front of the classroom. Kelan is quick to attribute his success to the diligence and excellence of his peers in MEP, who inspire him each day to work harder than the day before.

Jesus Avila, a junior electrical engineering major, was the 2008-'09 Wayne Steen Memorial Scholarship recipient. Jesus will graduate in May of 2010. "Receiving the Wayne Steen Award meant to me that I was accepting a part of the Multicultural Engineering Program history and culture. I feel as if Mr. Wayne passed his legacy to me, and I need to continue it for others to follow. I am very grateful and honored," said Jesus.

Steen would have been very proud of both these young men.

The College of Engineering embarks on her Centennial Year

2009-08-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

By Tom Landers

Engineering education at OU has beginnings well chronicled by Dr. David W. Levy in The University of Oklahoma, A History, Volume I, 1890 – 1907. He notes that “In the Catalogue for 1901-1902 the new heading “Engineering Course” summarized the situation . . .” of engineering oriented courses available in mathematics, surveying, chemistry, and the like. The OU College of Engineering was formed in 1909 and recorded its first graduates in the spring of 1910. As we begin our 100th anniversary, we do so recognizing the dedication of those who have come before us, setting a precedence of excellence and contributing not only to who we are now but also to who we will become during the next hundred years. We look forward to celebrating this milestone in our history this academic year. Plans are still developing for events, which will culminate in the Centennial Symposium scheduled for April 21 and 22, 2010. The symposium will include stimulating panel discussions and stellar keynote speakers. We look forward to recognizing our Distinguished Graduates Society in April and graduation of our centennial class in May. More information will be available soon. Watch our website at www.coe.ou.edu.

Our engineering faculty, students and graduates have compiled an impressive record of discovery, innovation and leadership. Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering (CBME) Professor Emeritus, Dr. Cedomir (Cheddy) Sliepcevich, is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. His achievements span diverse fields, including membrane dialysis for kidney patients and the storage and transportation of liquefied natural gas. Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME) Professor Emeritus, Dr. Karl Bergey, is a pioneer in wind energy technology and founder of a Norman-based company that supplies wind turbines throughout the world. Students are involved in these kinds of research and development and have gone on to successful careers in industry, government and academia. OU engineering has produced two astronauts (including Apollo 13 Astronaut Fred Haise), nine Generals and Admirals, and over 650 corporate presidents and CEOs.

Several current research projects with potential to impact OU and the world include:

• Green technology developed by Civil Engineering and Environmental Science (CEES) Associate Professor Robert Nairn and his colleagues to remove metals contamination from subsurface mine water that erupts to the surface in the Tar Creek Superfund Site and would otherwise flow into the greater watershed including Grand Lake. This process is completely passive, making use of natural chemical and biological processes and requiring no pumps or other machinery that would consume hydrocarbon fuels.

• Single wall carbon nanotubes research and technology development by CBME Professor Daniel Resasco and his colleagues will lead to products in Oklahoma’s medical, energy, and aerospace industries in ways that could impact our state and the world. These revolutionary nanomaterials can be tailored to exhibit useful properties such as ultra-high strength-to-weight ratio and thermal or electrical conductivity.

• CBME Professor Lance Lobban, AME Professor Sub Gollahalli and their colleagues are researching conversion processes to produce biofuels from crude feedstocks such as cellulosic biomass that do not compete with the food supply. Oklahoma has designated their project, together with collaborators at OSU and the Noble Foundation, a top priority by forming the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center.

• CEES Professor David Sabatini, faculty colleagues, and OU’s Engineers Without Borders student chapter are doing research and humanitarian work to supply safe drinking water for impoverished villages in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

• As one of Oklahoma’s first grantees under the Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) endowment fund, Industrial Engineering (IE) Professor Shiva Raman and his colleagues are working on technologies to design and manufacture complex shaped and dimensionally precise replacement parts. They are performing research in non-contact measurements and additive fabrication processes, while also forming a startup company to provide current state- of-the-art services to Oklahoma’s aerospace and medical sectors.

• Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Professor Hong Liu and his colleagues are developing imaging technologies to improve early detection of breast cancer and to identify genetic predispositions.

• AME Professor Rong Gan is doing leading research on inner-ear biomechanics.

• Computer Science Professor Sridhar Radakrishnan and his colleagues are working on a system, currently in the prototype phase, which was demonstrated at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa in October 2008. This technology addresses the critical need for end-to-end security of global freight to detect terrorist and piracy threats, assess the risks, and support interdiction to protect our homeland and global commerce while also safeguarding privacy interests of individuals and supply chain companies. The interdisciplinary team includes faculty and students from the following disciplines: electrical engineering, industrial engineering, computer science, city and regional planning, and international and area studies programs.

Many in the OU community may be aware of the spirited and (mostly) good natured competition between our engineering and law students. Clever and amusing ‘incidents’ have occurred occasionally, particularly around Engineers’ Week. Coincidentally the OU law and engineering programs are both marking their hundred year anniversary in 2009. It is a well-kept secret that many fine engineers go on (some would say “go astray”) to become lawyers, often in technically-related areas of practice such as intellectual property, environmental, and product liability law. The current chair of the College of Engineering Board of Visitors is a partner in one of Oklahoma City’s leading law firms and is in a unique position to celebrate this centennial as a graduate of both the School of Industrial Engineering and College of Law.

During economic downturns, we see some softening in most job markets, including engineering. However, Oklahoma industries and OU engineering programs have been fortunate to experience a relatively strong economy and continued recruitment and hiring of engineers, environmental scientists, and computer scientists for internships and permanent employment. We are still seeing good demand for our graduates. The future security and prosperity of our nation depends on innovation and technological leadership, so long-term prospects for employment in these fields is excellent. We must also increase the numbers and diversity of our engineering workforce. We need K-12 programs that prepare Oklahoma students to study engineering and university academic programs with the best faculty, staff, facilities and equipment, resulting in successful engineering graduates. Through educational research by our Sooner Engineering Education Center and outreach programs, such as Botball, administered by Norman-based KISS Institute for Practical Robotics, we seek to inform and inspire young people to study math and science and enter the engineering profession. The soon to be completed Engineering Practice Facility (EPF) located on the engineering quadrangle, will provide a place where K-12 and OU students can enhance academic success, develop leadership skills and enjoy the best in experiential learning through hands-on, project teamwork. The EPF will also be the interdisciplinary home to several student teams that compete in national and international championships, including the Formula Car Sooner Racing Team and the Concrete Canoe Team.

Students at all levels can maximize their prospects for success by committing to academic preparation in rigorous topics, including mathematics, science, foreign language and advanced placement courses of all kinds. The successful engineer or scientist is also

• good at analysis, design and problem solving;

• well educated in our history, culture, system of government, and global context;

• able to collaborate in hands-on project-oriented teamwork; and

• an effective writer and speaker.

OU engineering enjoys a rich tradition, with focused events sponsored by the Engineers’ Club (E-Club) including Engineers’ Week, a celebration occurring each February coinciding with National Engineers’ Week and the celebration of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Engineers. E-Club provides a very popular Hamburger Feed on each home football game day. Our over 40 honor societies, technical societies and clubs provide many opportunities for professional development, community service, and socializing. The Loyal Knights of Old Trusty mark special dates on the OU engineering calendar by firing the canon “Old Trusty” and providing selfless service throughout the year. This tradition was begun by OU students who returned from Europe after World War I. OU engineering alumni remain active in campus engineering life through service on our college and departmental external advisory boards, the Distinguished Graduates Society, and their countless acts of generous service and financial support. Our progress, and most notably at this time, new facilities currently under construction – the Devon Energy Hall and ExxonMobil Lawrence G. Rawl Engineering Practice Facility - would not be possible without the enormous generosity and financial support of alumni, friends and leading companies.

From the earliest days of OU engineering until today, the future has always invited us to be our best and to invest well in our most precious commodity - our students. We take this mission seriously and we look forward to building a better and brighter future, together.

Diversity by Degrees

2009-08-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

By Karen Kelly

To say that Ginny Hardwick “keeps on her toes” is more than just an expression; it’s a daily requirement for this senior modern dance major. But keeping on her toes translates beyond the Reynolds Performing Arts Center Dance Studio as Ginny is also a computer engineering major.

Like many young girls, Ginny has been a student of dance since she was four-years-old. Her passion for dance began at the Dallas Ballet Center where she studied ballet under Janie Christy for two years. Ginny continued classes at the Janie Christy School of Dance through her high school years, continuing to develop her skills and eventually teaching classes herself.

But dance was not Ginny’s singular passion. She discovered a propensity for math early on which would lead her to pursue studies at the Science and Engineering Magnet High School in Dallas.

A National Merit Scholar, Ginny’s challenge was to find the right university that offered both an excellent dance and engineering program. She auditioned for the Modern Dance program in the School of Dance and was accepted. She was offered an academic scholarship. Ginny stated that OU had everything she wanted. “It just felt right,” she said.

Ginny considers herself more of a math than science person. She finds computers to be more abstract than other forms of engineering. Instead of building a bridge like a civil engineer, she prefers solving small problems associated with programming and software development, hence her preference to study computer engineering.

While Ginny would like to establish a long-term career in dance, she recognizes the advantages of having a dual degree. Her father, a mechanical engineer, had to retire early because of Multiple Sclerosis. This unexpected health challenge in her family led Ginny to not only consider but also pursue more than one degree. She recognizes that only a select few are able to maintain a life-long dance career, yet she hopes to continue dancing for as long as she can continue to enjoy it and be successful.

In addition to meeting the demands that a performance based dance program and computer engineering curriculum require, Ginny has also carved out time to be involved in the Alpha Omicron Pi chapter, serving as past points chair.

In spite of Ginny’s demanding regimen, both physical and academic, she has postured herself for success in two arenas. The integration of fine arts with engineering is a successful merger for Virginia Hardwick, enabling her to have the best of both worlds.

The 90,000-Mile Journey

2009-07-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

By Karen Kelly

In December 2008, Jonathan Pipkin earned his bachelor of science degree in environmental engineering from the University of Oklahoma School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, celebrating the fruits of his labor in last May’s convocation ceremony. But this wasn’t Jonathan’s first time around the academic block. His first OU degree, conferred in 1988, was a bachelor of science which he has put to good use working for Halliburton in his hometown of Duncan for 11 of the past 18 years. So why does a full-time employee and father of three decide to spend eight years traveling 90,000 miles and spending 1,000 hours in his car? Well, it’s not just so he can listen to NPR.

Jonathan had climbed as high up the Halliburton ladder as his first degree could take him. He had served as a field chemist and scientist performing laboratory work, pre-job testing and quality assurance in field camps in Fort Smith, Wilburton and Duncan, as well as in customer service and direct sales. However, Jonathan observed an interesting phenomenon. Young engineers hired to work alongside him in the lab did not remain long in the lab. Because of their engineering background, they were given better opportunities for advancement within the company, including cement and fluid testing and hydraulic fracturing. Jonathan began to think that he, too, could move into a more challenging position, if only he had an engineering degree.

In the fall of 2000, Jonathan was readmitted to OU, but he would need to get up to speed in several math courses before admission to the College of Engineering. Recognizing his deficiencies in calculus and physics, he began acquiring the required courses at OU and Oklahoma City Community College. In the fall of 2004, he was accepted into OU’s School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science.

Mile by mile and course by course, Jonathan continued to make progress toward his engineering degree. On campus, he was met by enthusiastic and dedicated faculty members, who continued to inspire and motivate while demonstrating a high degree of professional ethics.

Jonathan passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, an eight-hour test administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. This makes Jonathan an “Engineer in Training” and thereby eligible to become certified as a Professional Engineer, awarded upon successful completion of the standard five years of work experience and passing of the PE exam.

Jonathan’s last semester as a student on campus was an emotional one. As he walked through Oklahoma Memorial Union on the OU Norman campus, he recalls having a heightened sense of what it meant to be a member of the OU family. He heard the tolling of the clock tower; he placed his hands upon the banister’s polished finish. He was, and continues to be, keenly aware that he is not the first, nor will he be the last, student to pass through these hallowed halls.

While it was not the first OU diploma Jonathan received, it was certainly the most anticipated. Jonathan’s supervisor is seeing his encouragement and Halliburton’s investment reap dividends. Jonathan’s wife of 20 years, Tracie, and their children – Winnifred, 16; Ross, 11; and Theadora, 7 – were Jonathan’s biggest fans as he walked across the stage at convocation. And if Jonathan has his way, it won’t be the last Pipkin with a diploma from the University of Oklahoma.

Welcome from Elizabeth Cook, Diversity and MEP Director

2009-07-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Engineering Alumni & Friends!

It is with great excitement that I write this letter as a reflection of our Diversity & Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP) here at the University of Oklahoma. The history and legacy that Wayne Steen has left in his wake is a daily inspiration to the work that we do in the diversity program. I am so proud to be part of such an amazing College at the University of Oklahoma, and I want to thank you for delving into the “Diversity Issue” of this ‘Engineering Encounter’!

The Multicultural Engineering Program is based on the hard work and commitment of both students and staff who were determined to turn engineering from a possibility to a reality to many students for whom engineering was simply a dream. The promise that Mr. Steen made to those students long-ago has not waned. We are continuing to work with diverse students and provide avenues of support including internship opportunities, scholarship opportunities, and academic support to rival any college at OU. We are working with faculty to diversify their labs and grant funded projects, we are encouraging undergraduate research through collaborations across Oklahoma, and we are demanding the best academic performance that each student can give.

Entering my third year as the Director of MEP and Diversity in the college and I am continually in awe of everything that our current students are doing. There is a renewed focus on academic performance and scholarship as well as a significant effort in tutoring and support services within MEP. The collaborative effort between our office and others on campus has become a cohesive “care package” that proves to parents that the OU community at-large creates a supportive learning environment and the Multicultural Engineering Program is leading the way! The College Of Engineering has made great strides in implementing diversity based programming and supporting the needs of our multicultural and first generation college students and this 2008-2009 academic school year was no exception.

Previously MEP was based primarily on ethnic minority student enrollment. Now in 2009 we have expanded our efforts to include women in engineering specific programs, seminars, and summer camps and are working hard to develop an independent program to better support the women in our college. We have also made extensive outreach to students who may have never applied to be an MEP Scholar previously to include students from rural areas of Oklahoma and Arkansas, students who may be dealing with significant socieo-economic hardship and many others who can present a diverse and (much needed) perspective in the classroom.

I believe that we are not just working with students – we are developing leaders for an engineering workforce, a research community and future professors in the engineering classroom. A diverse classroom in a global economy means more than addressing issues of diversity or multi-culturalism. We must be aware of who are students are, of how our students treat each other, and provide a learning environment that fosters collaboration across differences. These kinds of issues span all disciplines within engineering and beyond. They are important in all classes, whether the format is lecture, discussion or team projects. Each class, regardless of format or discipline, offers the opportunity to increase awareness of diversity and multi-cultural issues. It is no small secret that this commitment is central to the core of what we are doing in the Multicultural Engineering Program at OU. This work is not the sole responsibility of our office but it is also the responsibility of you is a reader too. I encourage each of you to extend a hand, encourage our students, volunteer to be active in our database and promote diversity in your own everyday encounters. It is not just the way of the MEP office, it is the way of the Sooner!

Our mission in the Diversity Program here at OU is to foster an MEP environment that consistently meets students’ needs, parents’ expectations, and is competitive with our peer institutions in terms of support services and resources. We have maintained our growth this year and we are currently serving over 60 freshman students and nearly 360 students in the College of Engineering and the College of Earth and Energy. The vision of the Diversity and Multicultural Engineering Program is simply to implement a comprehensive MEP program that is above all student centered because we know if we are focused on students as individuals, as a collective, they will shine even brighter as individuals.

Best wishes,

Elizabeth J Cook
Director of Diversity & MEP

The Wayne Steen Legacy

2009-07-27T10:56:00.001-07:00

By Karen Kelly

When Wayne Steen – director of the OU College of Engineering’s Multicultural Engineering Program from 1980 through 2003 – died at the young age of 63 in March 2007, the effects were felt well beyond his immediate family. His untimely passing also impacted his extended family – namely, the students who had the privilege of getting to know this native Oklahoman and American Cherokee Indian who had invested so much of himself in them.

Born and raised in Grove, a small town in northeastern Oklahoma, he graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in aerospace engineering and counseling. Wayne’s industry experience with McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Mo., and educational experience with Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence and Johnson County Community College in Overland Park would provide the perfect context from which he would be able to relate to undergraduate and graduate engineering majors at the University of Oklahoma. And relate to them he did.

Steen’s legacy was shaped by his interest in and dedication to his students. Baya Crynes, MEP Coordinator 1989 through 1992, recalled how Wayne not only encouraged – but employed – a student who needed to earn enough money to return to OU the following semester. Recognizing the young man’s potential, even though his GPA excluded him from internship and scholarship opportunities, Wayne asked him to paint his house to earn the money to pay for his tuition. According to Ms. Crynes, the house “didn’t need painting, but the student did need the money.” The young man went on to a successful career with a recognizable engineering firm.

Marilyn Grass-Culp, 1990 chemical engineering graduate and family physician, cited two attributes that made Wayne special. “First of all, he was an engineer himself and that lent credibility to his counseling since he’d been there and knew how hard the courses were. Secondly, he cared about the students and he believed in our ability to succeed.” Grass-Culp also noted that Wayne always took the time to listen. “He was the most patient person I’ve ever met. He helped us to help ourselves,” she said.

Yadira Upshaw, former MEP student assistant from 1988 through 1990 and 1991 mechanical engineering graduate, recalled Steen’s passion for helping students. “He worked very hard to bring in as many corporate people as he could to give us more possibilities for landing a summer internship or even a full-time position,” she said. Upshaw recalled how Steen used his connections with industry thereby providing a bridge to students who might otherwise go unnoticed based on their grades or inability to navigate through the corporate red tape. “Wayne’s sense of humor and willingness to listen made students feel comfortable which is why he had so many visits from alumni,” Upshaw recalled.

This unwavering belief in people is reminiscent of the main character, George Bailey, in the classic movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, who, through his building and loan company, went to bat for those not capable of making it to the plate themselves. George Bailey had faith that, given the opportunity, folks of limited means would prove themselves capable of supporting themselves and their families and of paying back their loans.

Like George Bailey, Wayne enabled students to do for themselves. At the beginning of their academic journey, the students' GPA may not have been high enough to earn them a scholarship. They may not have initially qualified for an internship. But that didn’t stop Wayne from not only seeing the potential that resided within but also to encourage that potential to be fully developed. He employed these students in his office. He called his industry contacts and connected them to his outstanding kids. And time after time, these engineering professionals praised Wayne and the graduates he sent their way. And the students … well, they are successful engineers, of course.

This feature article on Wayne Steen was inspired by his years of dedicated service to our minority students. The passion with which Wayne did his job not only impacted them in a positive way but also helped to shape our diversity program which continues to inspire and encourage our students of today.

You are invited to honor the legacy of Wayne Steen by making a tax deductible gift to the Wayne Steen Memorial MEP Scholarship Fund. Click here to make a gift.

You may also choose to contribute to the Dean’s Advisory Board on Diversity, supporting student MEP scholarships and MEP initiatives. Click here to make a gift.

You can choose a one-time contribution or include this as part of your annual giving. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students!