| November 15 , 2004 | Vol. I, No.2 |
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The approaching end of the fall semester leads us into the holiday season, a time of year marked by traditions, ceremonies, celebrations and rituals. It is often easy to grumble over the bother, and even the meaninglessness, of these events; yet, we continue to plan the ceremonies, follow the traditions and celebrate because these are powerful and iconic anchors in our lives. Ritual and ceremony is important in establishing milestones and providing closure and marking beginnings. Most of us mark the years we graduated from high school and college (class of ’__). Most of us can name the day, month and year we got married, even if we cannot remember which cousins attended or didn’t attend the wedding. We also remember the pageantry of the event, even if we can’t remember all the details. I am asking you to think of the fall commencement and college recognition ceremony within this context. For our students and their parents, these ceremonies are milestone events – part of a long tradition and the culmination of years of hard work. These rituals are for our graduates and their families; we faculty and staff are theatrical scenery. And while our students and their families may not remember the specifics beyond the name of the graduate being read, they will remember the pageantry and the joy and celebration of the day. I encourage all members of the TECS family to participate in commencement and the college ceremony. Please help create and foster this ceremony as a celebration by being a part of a ritual that has great meaning for those we are here to serve.
Construction Management Successfully Completes ACCE Accreditation Visit Ten months of preparation by the Department of Construction Management (CMGT) culminated in a successful visit by three members of the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) accreditation committee October 2-5. During their four-day visit, the team reviewed all facets of the CMGT program, including curriculum, facilities, resources, administrative support, industry involvement and students’ perceptions. As this is the department’s third accreditation cycle, the faculty knew what to expect and were confident the visiting team would recognize the many positive attributes of the CMGT program. The visiting team identified six strengths of the ECU program:
Although final accreditation status will not be officially received until February 2005, the department anticipates a six-year accreditation (the maximum allowed) with one- and three-year interim reports.
Abdel-Salam and Hicks Receive Schroff Grants Two faculty members in the Department of Industrial Technology, Dr. Tarek Abdel-Salam and C. Michael Hicks, recently were selected to receive Schroff Participation Grants. Funded by the Schroff Development Company, the grants are a developmental program to encourage potential and new graphics instructors to participate in the activities of the Engineering Design Graphics Division (EDGD) of the American Society for Engineering Education. These awards will assist with the cost of attending EDGD’s 59th Annual Mid-Year Meeting, to be held November 21-23 in Williamsburg, Va. Dr. Abdel-Salam joined East Carolina in 2003. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University, and his research interests include fuel cells, supersonic mixing and combustion (scramjet engines), sprays and atomization, and cosmic radiation. Mr. Hicks joined East Carolina as a full-time faculty member this fall after teaching as an adjunct lecturer in the department for ten years. He was employed at TRW for 25 years before joining ECU full-time. He earned his master’s of science degree in industrial technology from ECU in 1993.
ITEC Advisory Boards Meet Comprised of representatives of the department’s constituents in industry and community colleges, the boards provide the guidance and expertise necessary to enable the department to produce graduates who meet the needs of those who will employ them. The boards address the following areas of emphasis: engineering, industrial distribution and logistics, information and computer technology, manufacturing, occupational safety and community colleges.TECS Represented at ASEM Conference Dr. Ralph Rogers, dean of the College of Technology and Computer Science, Dr. Paul Kauffmann, chair of the Department of Industrial Technology, and Dr. Erol Ozan, assistant professor of industrial technology, attended the 25th American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) National Conference October 20-23 in Alexandria, Va. “Baccalaureate Engineering Management: A Tool for Regional Economic Development,” written by Dr. Kauffmann, Dean Rogers and Dr. Phil Lunsford, assistant professor of industrial technology, was presented by Dean Rogers. Dr. Ozan presented “A Diffusion Model for a New Product Group in the Avionics Industry,” which was co-authored by Dr. Kauffmann and Dr. Yesim Sireli of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Drs. Ozan and Kauffmann also co-authored “A Review of Market Adoption Models for the Information Systems Industry” with Dr. Sireli and Cristiane Rosul, a student at UNC Charlotte. Dr. Sireli presented this paper. Founded in 1979, ASEM is the major professional organization dedicated to engineering management.
Kashef Presents at ACSP Conference
Dr. Kashef’s paper was titled “Architects and Planners Approaches to Urban Design: A Comparative Analysis.” In his study, he developed an understanding of the theoretical and pragmatic concerns within design professions and social science professions that hamper the development of an integrative urban design vision. Dr. Kashef teaches urban planning and urban design and is the coordinator of the certificate in urban design. Before joining academia, he practiced architecture, urban planning and project management with multinational consulting firms and construction companies in the United States, Canada, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
ITEC Faculty Attend NAIT Conference The Department of Industrial Technology was well-represented at the 37th Annual Convention of the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) held October 20-23 in Louisville, Ky. Dr. Biwu Yang, Dr. Phil Lunsford, and Dr. TJ Mohammed gave individual presentations. Drs. Charles Coddington and Biwu Yang attended a special session for Indiana State University Consortium PhD program faculty and participated in discussion about programmatic changes. One of the proposed changes was to replace an ECU course, DTEC 6800, with ITEC 6050 (another ECU course), which is the first course for all students in the PhD program. The proposition generated considerable dialog but was well received and has been placed on the council meeting agenda for February 2005 for final approval. Ms. Amy Frank, industrial technology academic advisor, chaired a meeting for the Distance Learning and Internet Focus Group. This session was comprised of all conference attendees interested in distance education.
Behm to Present at ASSE Conference
Founded in 1911, ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety organization. It has more than 30,000 members in 12 practice specialties, 150 chapters, 56 sections and 64 student sections. Dr. Behm joined ECU this fall. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he is the graduate coordinator for the master's of science in occupational safety degree program, which prepares graduates for leadership positions in the environmental health and safety fields. The program provides practical experiences in the evaluation of workplace safety and the design and management of enterprise-wide safety systems that are both efficient and compliant with all current standards and regulations.Epsilon Pi Tau Initiation Nineteen graduate and undergraduate students from the College of Technology and Computer Science were formally initiated as members of the Beta Mu Chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau at a ceremony held on October 28 the new Science and Technology Building. Faculty and student members presided over the ceremony. These students included Kenneth Ennis, Nicole Closterman, Tim Whitaker and Joyelynn Burnett. Faculty members were Dr. Robert Chin, Dr. Paul Kauffmann, Mr. John Wall and Dr. Craig “Sandy” Sanders. The ceremony was followed by a reception. An international organization established in 1928 at The Ohio State University, Epsilon Pi Tau is the only professional honorary society for education in technology. Nomination for membership is based on an established record of scholarship and professionalism. The Beta Mu Chapter was established on the ECU campus in 1963 and currently has sixty active members. The new initiates include: Daniel D. Adams, Alison Berry, Edward Walter Boze Jr., Phillip Cansler, Daniel Dahlman, Carrie Goin, Kathryn Griffin, Stephen Kleinschmit, Kelly Wilson Lucas, Howard F. "Chip” Madison II, Martha S. Mitchell, Stephen Norman, Yogesh Patel, Willard J. Rouse, Matthew Sanders, Nathan Saunders, Joseph St. Cyr, Lindsey Street, Michael P. Underwood and Gregory A. White. Sigma Lambda Chi Induction On September 28, twenty-three construction management students were inducted into Sigma Lambda Chi (ΣΛΧ), the international honor society for leaders in construction. In attendance at the ceremony were the students’ parents and guests, current ΣΛΧ members, industry employers, university leaders and CMGT faculty members. A keynote presentation titled “Ethics in the Construction Profession” was delivered by Dr. Ralph James of the FMI Corporation located in Raleigh. ΣΛΧ membership is based upon scholarship, leadership and a keen interest in the field of construction. Members are committed to quality construction in whatever they build, to using materials wisely and efficiently to guarantee availability for future generations and to carrying out their endeavors with high ethical standards. The ECU chapter, Iota-II, was chartered in 1986 and has 396 members, 48 of whom are current students. Each fall and spring semester, eligible students are invited to join the chapter. Upon joining, membership in the honor society is for life. The inductees for fall 2004 are: Steven Gary Beatty, Kevin E. Bowman, Jack F. Carpenter, Jonathan Owen Gore, David Mark Harris, Matthew James Hill, Ryan H. James, Brian James Monroe, Matthew Graham Monroe, Jeremy Wade Morrison, Alan Christopher Nielson, John Burt Perdue, O'Bealie Bradford Rawls, Adam Blake Smelcer, William David Smelcer, Chad Russell Stone, Aubrey Bentley Taylor III, William Wayne Taylor Jr., Wilson Calvin Taylor III, Erin Jo Thompson, Chris Ryan Turnbull, Alexander McPherson Weeks and Randal Heath Williams.
ECCA Visits Caterpillar Assembly Plant East Carolina Construction Association students, along with Dr. Doug Kruger, chair of the Department of Construction Management, and faculty advisors Mr. Ron Sessoms and Dr. Eric Connell, recently visited the Caterpillar assembly plant in Clayton, NC. The group observed the assembly of heavy equipment used in the construction industry. Following the tour, the students were allowed to operate various pieces of equipment and put them through the processes encountered on a job site. Caterpillar, the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines, is a major contributor to the department, and close ties are maintained through Scott Cooper, a graduate of the program. His efforts have produced Caterpillar gifts such as the Mini-Excavator and the CAT 908 Wheel loader, as well as a Telehandler. These pieces of equipment are used by students in the labs and on Habitat for Humanity building sites. During this visit, Caterpillar presented the department with the keys to a new TH215 Telehandler, valued at $58,000, to be delivered to campus this month.
Epsilon Pi Tau Participates in Convocation and Member Forum Student and faculty members of the ECU Beta Mu Chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau participated in the international honor society’s 75th Anniversary Convocation and Member Forum at the 2004 National Association of Industrial Technology(NAIT) Convention held October 20-23 in Louisville, Ky. ECU members attending included Ken Ennis, chapter president; Joyelynn Burnett, treasurer; Nicole Closterman; Shonda Yvette Crawford; and co-trustees Ms. Amy Frank, industrial technology academic advisor; and Dr. Craig “Sandy” Sanders, assistant professor of industrial technology. Topics of discussion included a proposed new governance structure and changes in the code and the ritual. The proposals include increased opportunities in governance with expanded participation in voting on all issues and offices and “virtual” chapters that would give members-at-large equal voice in governance. East Carolina University will be competing with other universities to become the first “virtual” chapter to represent distance education students.
TECS Student Places Fourth in NAIT IQ Competition TECS student and Epsilon Pi Tau member Nicole Closterman competed in the undergraduate National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) student member industrial technology IQ competition at the 2004 NAIT convention. She placed fourth among more than a hundred students representing twenty five universities and colleges. Using a format based on the popular TV show “Jeopardy,” the competition included questions in these categories: management, technology, manufacturing, construction, graphic communications, power/energy, and electronics/computer. ECCA Students Visit Hensel Phelps Sites Students in the East Carolina Construction Association (ECCA) recently visited Hensel Phelps construction sites at the Pentagon and the National Zoo. The site visits were led by graduates of the Department of Construction Management who currently are working on these projects. Students participating in the trip were required to meet both GPA and course requirements to attend.
The Hensel Phelps National Zoo expansion includes new habitats, site improvements and infrastructure upgrades. Total cost for the project is $37 million. With a value of $650 million, the Pentagon project consists of rehabilitation of the five wedges of the complex, as well as new construction in additional areas, including a new heli-pad and memorial to the attack on 9-11. The ECCA trip concluded with a stop at the National Mall, where many students visited the National Building Museum. The “Liquid Stone” exhibition at the museum presented nearly 30 current projects that use concrete to display the material’s strength, versatility and potential.
CMGT Students Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity As a part of the lab requirement for CMGT 2660, a course in structural systems, construction materials and building codes taught by Mr. Ron Sessoms, students are required to volunteer a minimum of 10 hours for Habitat for Humanity during the semester. In addition to the benefits to the community, this time on the site is valuable to the students. They learn firsthand about planning, scheduling, labor capabilities and labor relations. Students also learn the need for contributions from the construction industry to worthy organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the positive influences these contributions make to the community.
Welcome The College of Technology and Computer Science welcomes these new faculty and staff. Dr. Christopher Duffrin joins the college as assistant dean for administration. He comes to ECU from Ohio University, where he was director of grants development for the College of Osteopathic Medicine and received his PhD in higher education administration. Dr. Duffrin’s areas of responsibility for the College of Technology and Computer Science include budget, human resources, research, development and planning. Mr. C. Michael Hicks, visiting instructor of industrial technology, joins the college as a full-time faculty member this fall after teaching as an adjunct lecturer for ten years. He was employed at TRW in Greenville for more than 25 years, most recently as manufacturing quality engineer, before joining East Carolina full-time. He earned his master’s of science degree in industrial technology from ECU in 1993. Dr. Richard W. Monroe joins the college as an associate professor of industrial technology. He comes to ECU from Southern Polytechnic State University, where he was an assistant professor of industrial engineering technology. He received his PhD in engineering management from Old Dominion University and had a 17-year career as an industrial engineer before joining academia. Dr. Janet Paulson-Smith joins the college as an assistant professor of construction management. She comes to ECU from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She received her PhD in industrial education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and her areas of interest include estimating, internet/multimedia learning applications and the "From Crayons to CAD" Middle School Design Build Competition.
Farewell and Best Wishes The college bids farewell to these departing faculty and staff. Linda French, administrative secretary in the TECS Advising Center, has accepted a position in New Bern with the Department of Transportation.
Elizabeth Moore, secretary to the dean, has accepted a position with the Division of Academic Affairs. She joined the former School of Industry and Technology in 2002 and has worked at ECU for 14 years.
Community Involvement Opportunity SNAP Inc. plans to start an after school employment preparation program in western Greenville for economically deprived children in grades six through twelve. Opportunities to help with this effort include visiting the program to talk about opportunities available in your field, planning an activity with your students or structuring a service learning course that combines coursework with community service. Interested in making a difference? Contact Rita Gonsalves, assistant vice chancellor for service learning, at 328-5437 or gonsalvesr@mail.ecu.edu.
Technology & Computer Science Humor How to Prove It Proof by vigorous hand waving: Proof by omission: Proof by funding: "I saw the dean in the hall and he said it was probably true." |
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Dr. Mohamad Kashef, assistant professor of planning, presented a paper at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) National Conference, held October 20-24 in Portland, Oregon. 
Dr. Michael Behm, assistant professor of industrial technology, recently was selected to present his paper “Design for Construction Safety: An Introduction, Implementation Techniques, and Research Summary” at the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) National Conference, to be held June 15, 2005, in New Orleans. 
Dr. William McPherson, associate dean of the college, has announced his retirement. He and his wife moved to Greenville from Ypsilanti, Michigan, in August 1984 with their five children. He was a faculty member in the former School of Industry and Technology and served as director of the graduate program. He has served as associate dean of the college since fall 2003. In his retirement, Dr. McPherson looks forward to taking things at a slower pace, but he does plan to do some consulting work.
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