Commencement speaker: Science and technology solve problems
Professional degrees awarded
Don’t let barriers get in the way of future success, Joan Woodard, Math’73, told a group of nearly 600 graduating seniors during December 2008 commencement. In her speech, Woodard said science and technology will solve energy problems, supply solutions for environmental stewardship, and provide for the health and well-being of people in developing nations around the world. “At Missouri S&T, you have been learning to solve problems,” said Woodard, executive vice president and deputy laboratories director for the nuclear weapons program at Sandia National Laboratories. “You have received one of the Woodard addressing the best educations in the country for practical problem graduates during 2008 solving. ... You have endured endless hours of writing, winter commencement. calculating, experimenting, building, testing and rebuilding. You have finished the courses and made the grades.”
Ten honorary professional degrees were awarded during the Dec. 20 commencement exercises. The degrees recognize the distinction an alumnus’s career reflects upon Missouri S&T.
Faculty honored with Curators’ titles David Van Aken, professor of metallurgical engineering, was named Curators’ Teaching Professor of materials science and engineering during commencement Dec. 20. He joined the Missouri S&T faculty in 1993. Also during commencement, Rajiv Mishra, professor of metallurgical engineering, was named Curators’ Professor of materials science and engineering. He is also site director for the National Science Foundation’s Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Friction Stir Processing at Missouri S&T.
GM visits campus Representatives from General Motors, one of the largest employers of Missouri S&T graduates, were on campus in October for the annual GM Day. Representatives from the corporation discuss career opportunities with students, show off new GM vehicles and products, and accept resumes from potential employees. GM is a vital partner in education and research, being one of the university’s most generous corporate supporters, giving annually to scholarships, diversity initiatives, student design activities, faculty recognition, curriculum development and engineering advances.
Marvin E. Borgmeyer, ChE’74, MS ChE’75, of Baton Rouge, La., operations manager for ExxonMobil Randy L. Buschling, EMgt’83, of Washington, Mo., vice president and chief operating officer at LaBarge Inc. Charles E. Byvik, MS Phys’64, of Alexandria, Va., associate director for electronics (science and technology) in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Hugh E. Cole, EMgt’72, of Mission Viejo, Calif., partner in the Avraham Y. Goldratt Institute David B. Lewis, CE’78, MS CE’80, of Carrollton, Texas, president and chief executive officer of Blade Energy Partners Richard D. Laughlin, CE’75, MS CE’77, of Chesterfield, Mo., owner of Midwest Testing Inc. David L. Mueller, ME’69, of Cleveland, vice president of operations for Harris Products Group of the Lincoln Electric Co. David W. Rommelmann, CE’70, of Evergreen, Colo., a financial planner with Wachovia Securities Kenneth C. Savells, CSci’74, of Harrison, Ark., founder of Centurion Financial Services Cheryl D.S. Walker, EE’86, of St. Louis, president and general counsel of Obasi Enterprises and counsel in the St. Louis office of Bryan Cave LLP.
MISSOURI S&T MAGAZINE | SPRING 2009 21