Pursuit of Excellence Class – 2018 OU Young Engineering Alumni The Pursuit of Excellence Class was established to recognize and honor outstanding young alumni for their contributions to Gallogly College through engagement, investment and advocacy. We are proud to present the inaugural class.
Drew Harnish, Lockheed Martin - Staff Project Engineer
Drew Harnish is a native of Fort Worth, Texas, and earned his bachelor's and master’s degrees in industrial and systems engineering in 2009 and 2011. His fondest memory from his time at OU was performing in the 2007 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Pride of Oklahoma band. Harnish serves on the OU Young Engineering Alumni Advisory Board, is a member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and a corporate recruiter. He values connecting students with industry and mentoring. He credits it all to the positive experiences he had as a student. In addition to Gallogly College, Harnish is involved with the OU Alumni Band and Kappa Kappa Psi. He enjoys music, trying new foods, cocktail recipes and hiking. He is living in Fort Worth with his wife, Katie, son Everett and their dog Penny. Harnish would like to build an enduring relationship between Lockheed Martin and OU, mentor students and serve on the advisory board for the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, or similar role. Pro tip: “There are many ways to engage, so look for the ones that matter to you.”
Lauren Haller Fontaine,
Hess Corp. – Legal Counsel Lauren Haller came to OU from Houston
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and earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 2005, followed by her juris doctorate in 2008. As a student, she was involved in Engineers’ Club, the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers. Haller is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board on Diversity and the Felgar Society, and she is a supporter of Gallogly Hall. “My education and educational experience is directly correlated with my professional success. Staying engaged allows me to impact future generations of engineers by offering my time, talent and treasure.” In addition to Gallogly College, Haller supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She also enjoys writing, traveling, playing golf and spending time with her husband, Michael Fontaine II, and their 2-year-old son. Haller has goals to continue and expand her involvement with the Gallogly College via board service and enhanced giving. Pro Tip: “Giving back to the Gallogly College is an opportunity to show gratitude and to help future generations gain a quality education.”
Michael Hollinger,
IBM – Senior Technical Staff Member, Cognitive Systems
Michael Hollinger is originally from Austin, Texas, and earned his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in 2004 and master’s in electrical and computer engineering in 2005. He fondly remembers playing weekend-long rounds of board games in the Honors Dorm library.
As an alum, Hollinger serves on the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Board and as a Holmes Engineering Leadership Program mentor. He also is a member of the Felgar Society and even hosted a group of female computer science students when they visited IBM in 2016. He enjoys staying in touch with current students and recent graduates to help them navigate career choices. In his free time, Hollinger enjoys running and cooking. He and his fiancé, David, live in Austin with their cat, Molly, and dog, Link. They will be getting married in 2018. He wants to continue his involvement with Gallogly College and be a “force multiplier and role model for the next generation of engineers and students.” Pro Tip: “Giving back takes multiple forms. That can be through moral support, technical support or financial support. Find out what's needed and consider what you have to offer.”
Laura Ann Lopez,
BP America – Na Kike/ Paleogene Reservoir Development Team Leader Laura Lopez is originally from Yukon, Oklahoma, and earned her degree in chemical engineering in 2006. As an active student, her fondest memory was getting engaged at the E-Week banquet to the engineering king, Ben Lopez. Lopez is a passionate supporter for Women in Engineering and serves as a Holmes Engineering Leadership Program mentor, corporate recruiter and advocate.