The Premier Life Skills University® Webb School of Engineering
FROM THE WEBB
From the Dean…
I. DEAN’S INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Spring 2023 edition of the newsletter. As always, there are lots of exciting things happening within the Webb School of Engineering. Students have excelled in competitions beating out teams from larger, prestigious schools. Nick Geiner, a Computer Science major, was recognized as one of 12 Extraordinary Leaders. Students from each department secured places in PhD programs at impressive institutions. And so much more. You’ll read about some of these accomplishments in this newsletter.
Looking toward the future, we are also exploring the possibility of adding another engineering program and expanding the opportunities available to students. Stay tuned to future editions of the newsletter for more details as those plans unroll.
We are also interested in hearing from our alumni. If you are an alumni, and you would like to share your experiences with current students, and explain how your education has prepared you for the challenges you have faced in your career, we would like to hear from you. Please contact Julia Quintos (jquintos@highpoint.edu) and share your story. WE would be happy to publish a number of your inspirational stories in the newsletter.
Enjoy reading this edition and learning about what is happening within the School of Engineering.
Michael Oudshoorn Dean, Webb School of Engineering
II. DEPARTMENTAL NEWS: ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Message from the Chair
by Dr. Claire McCullough
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at High Point University is growing! This spring, we had our first two engineering graduates in our Computer Engineering program. One of our graduates started this week at Aqua America as an Automation Process Specialist. The second had multiple offers for fully paid graduate study in Computer Engineering, including a yearly stipend, and will begin at Clemson in the fall. Thus we can truthfully say that when that semester begins, 100% of the engineering graduates will be either employed as engineers or pursuing graduate degrees in their major field of study.
The first step in professional licensing for engineers is the Fundamentals of Engineering exam—a comprehensive, day-long exam over all the undergraduate engineering content including technical topics, math, science, and engineering ethics. According to the most recent information from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), the national pass rate for the exam for electrical and computer engineering is 63% on the first try and 30% for repeat takers. Both of our first computer engineering students passed on the first try! We can’t draw any generalizations about future pass rates from this, as these were both excellent students, but this clearly shows that the computer engineering program that we are delivering at HPU gives the students all the tools they need to succeed in the profession.
The Industrial Advisory Board for the programs is now fully established and meets twice per year. The Board includes representatives from relevant professionals, including members from the cities of High Point and Charlotte, Duke Power, Qorvo, CB2 Structural Engineers, SKA, Rohde & Schwarz, and Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson. These advisors are critical to the programs, and provide us with invaluable insights on our curricula.
In the fall we will be joined by two new faculty members: Dr. Valentin Bolborici, an associate professor with a specialty in power systems, and Dr. Geraldine Shirley Nicholas, an assistant professor in computer engineering. This will give us a total of five faculty members, and will enable us to fully implement both electrical and computer engineering curricula.
If you would like to talk to us about our engineering programs, please email me at cmccullo@highpoint.edu. We would love to hear from you!
Dr. Claire McCullough
Dr. Claire McCullough Professor and Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering Students
Participate in 2023 NASA Lunabotics
by Dr. Eve Klopf
This year, students from the Robotics Club participated in the 2023 NASA Lunabotics competition. As a part of this competition, students on the team designed and built a prototype robotic lunar excavator. The team was additionally responsible for activities such as creating a project management plan, determining funding sources for their project, writing a systems engineering paper, organizing a public outreach event and taping a proof of life video of their robot in action. Students working on the project were also able to make a presentation on their project to HPU’s Innovator in Residence, Steve Wozniak.
Webb School of Engineering Robotics Team holds workshop for over 50 Participants
by Mr. Matt Eaton
This has been an exciting year for extracurricular activities here at the Webb School of Engineering! With the founding of our very first robotics team, and it’s participation in the NASA Lunabotics Robotics Competition came a long list of tasks that needed engineered solutions. While designing, programming, and fabricating a custom robot to compete is the team’s primary goals, one of the often overlooked aspects of operating a robotics team is the enormous benefit in sharing all that you have learned with others. Sharing the joy of engineering with the upcoming generation of young engineers is a crucial aspect of a successful robotics team.
With that goal in mind, on February 11th, our robotics team held what we hope will be the first of many virtual robotics workshops. The goal of the workshop was to show students in the surrounding area just how easy it is to begin learning a whole host of useful engineering skills by building robots. Hopes were high for our first workshop, and we were blown away by the interest from the local community. With over 50 student participants, we are proud to announce that our first workshop was a resounding success.
While the format of this workshop was virtual, thanks to high tech simulation software, the participants were able to follow along step by step in traversing three exciting robotics lessons, led by three of our engineering students. Lessons ranged from using a virtual microcontroller to control the light of an RGB LED, to controlling the movement of both DC and servo motors. In doing so, our students were able to lay a solid robotics foundation with which the participants can continue their engineering journey through building fun and exciting robots.
DEPARTMENTAL NEWS: COMPUTER SCIENCE
Message from the Chair
by Dr. Will Suchan
The Department of Computer Science at High Point University continues to experience significant growth. The Spring 2023 semester was the eighth straight semester of increasing student enrollment in our courses, and Fall of 2023 looks to continue that trend. In May we will see 26 Computer Science graduates cross the stage at commencement, our biggest graduating class ever.
Dr. Mike Dalton was a great addition to the department this year. His expertise was critical in helping Dr. Kim Titus change the language in the first course from C++ to Python. This change should pay dividends in the coming years for not only our CS majors, but our Cybersecurity and Data Science majors as well. We will be welcoming another new faculty member in the Fall. Dr. Luis Cueva Parra will join us from the University of North Georgia. He will be a welcome addition to the department, and to the Data Science major in particular.
Another key personnel transition this Fall will be the department chair. Dr. Will Suchan, Founding Chair of the Department of Computer Science, is retiring after spending the last six years in the department, ten years at HPU, and most of the last 28 years in Higher Education. As this newsletter goes to press, a months-long search for a new chair is winding to a conclusion. Look forward to a welcome from the new chair in the next newsletter.
Dr.
Will Suchan
Dr. Will Suchan
Founding Chair and Associate Professor of Computer Science
Dr. Will Suchan to Retire from Chair Position
Dr. Will Suchan, Founding Chair of the Department of Computer Science, is retiring after spending the last six years in the department, ten years at HPU, and most of the last 28 years in Higher Education. Dr. Suchan came to High Point University in 2013 and in 2019 was selected as founding chair of Computer Science. He earned his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and spent three decades as a commissioned Army officer. During that time he earned both a master’s and Ph.D. in computer science from Arizona State University, focusing on Information Security. His stint in the Army included tours in the Middle East and Far East, as well as 13 years on the faculty at West Point, culminating as an Academy Professor.
DEPARTMENTAL NEWS: MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
Message from the Chair
by Dr. Dandrielle Lewis
Welcome to the Mathematical Sciences department! This academic year we improved our retention rates of majors in our four programs: Mathematics, Mathematical Economics, Actuarial Science, and Data Analytics and Statistics. The mentoring relationships established by departmental faculty with the majors was pivotal to this accomplishment. Collaborating with the School of Business, our Mathematical Economics curriculum was revised to incorporate more flexibility and attract more majors, benefitting constituents across campus. Faculty and students are thriving, and I am extremely proud to share their achievements. Dr. Jenny Fuselier was promoted to Full Professor, and she presented her research at the Joint Mathematics Meeting 2023 and Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Meeting in Kentucky. Dr. Eddie Fuselier published 1 article, and he presented his research at the MAA’s MathFest. Dr. Niloofar Ghorbani published 3 articles. One of Dr. Laurie Zack’s Preparation for Industrial Careers Math teams was 1 of 8 groups selected out of 50 to give a presentation at MAA’s MathFest. Ms. Carolina Kapper, an Honors Mathematics and Data Analytics and Statistics double major, represented the team at MAA’s MathFest by presenting on “Analyzing Purchasing Patterns in the Furniture Industry.”
Dr. Zack facilitated this project and research through her special topics course which was supported by an external MAA grant, and she also gave 3 research presentations. Ms. Josslyn Payne, an Honors Mathematical Economics and Data Analytics and Statistics double major, will be a 2023 Commercial Analytics Intern with Florida Blue (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida). Ms. Annie Sellenberg, an Honors Actuarial Science and Data Analytics and Statistics double major, will be an Actuarial Science intern at Zurich North America in Schaumburg, IL. Mr. Jake Tarosky, a Data Analytics and Statistics major, published 2 articles from his research conducted during a summer 2022 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Mr. Julian Bennett, an Actuarial Science major, was accepted to UNCCharlotte’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics Summer 2023 REU. Ms. Carolina Kapper, an Honors Mathematics and Data Analytics and Statistics double major, was accepted to the Ph.D. program in Biostatistics in the Gillings School of Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Thank you to Mr. David Fuller, co-founder of ClimatePositive.Farms, Inc., for donating to HPU and creating intern opportunities for our majors.
If you are interested in learning more about our programs and getting involved, please contact me at dlewis1@highpoint.edu. HPU Mathematical Sciences alumni and friends please share your news. We’d love to hear from you!
Dr. Dandrielle Lewis
Dr. Dandrielle Lewis
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Mathematics
HPU Mathematical Sciences Alumni Create Innovative Teaching Platform
by Dr. Adam Graham-Squire
Morgan Collins (HPU ’21) and Samantha Snyder (HPU ’21) met while taking math courses at High Point University. They became close friends, and both performed exceptionally well while at HPU, including 4.0 GPAs, awards from the math department, and departmental honors when they graduated. It was not until after graduation they discovered a misconception they both held: each had thought the other had it all together—that the other one never struggled with the discipline of math, while in fact each of them found the subject very challenging. This realization inspired them to take what they learned from being successful, despite their own self-doubt, and channeling that knowledge in a way to help others take the mystery and intimidation out of mathematics.
Their recently launched platform, www.numberkind. com, combines inspiring messages about mathematics, free advice videos on Youtube, and opportunities for students to pay for one-on-one tutoring sessions with Samantha or Morgan. As they say on their website, “It turns out math is not reserved for people who take to it naturally...and there aren’t many of those people to start with. It’s an incredibly beautiful and complex field of study, but it is inherently logical and highly rewarding to anyone, yes ANYONE who approaches it with the right mindset.” Their goal is for everyone who goes to their website to get a boost on their mathematical journey, whether it is one-on-one tutoring from math experts or just advice and tips for how to be a more confident math student.
In addition to launching numberkind, since graduating Morgan has taught math in public high schools and tutored students in all levels of mathematics. Samantha has performed as a musician and offered private fiddle lessons and math tutoring, as well as writing and publishing her first novel. Both women believe the lessons learned in mathematics extend far beyond the content learned in a particular course. As Morgan says, “math matters because it trains your brain to be able to approach problems in life. Everybody is going to have roadblocks in life, and you are going to come to something you don’t know how to get past, and doing math trains your brain to pick apart the problem and get to the other side of the roadblock.”
My Mathematics and Statistics Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates Acceptance
by Mr. Julian Bennett
I am excited to say I was blessed with the opportunity to become a part of the UNC Charlotte Math REU Program for this summer. This program will be a 10-week program in which I will be working on a specific research project with faculty, and for me personally, I will be working on the study of COVID-19 via timedelayed differential equation. I think this is a good opportunity because currently I am leaning towards a career in applied mathematics so being able to get this hands-on experience is something I really wanted to do early on in college. I want to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. Furthermore, in addition to working alongside faculty, I will also be able to enhance my professional development as I partake in presentations, training, and networking with alumni and local industry partners. Through this program, not only will I acquire professional growth and grow in my mathematical knowledge, but I will also be granted free on-campus housing as well as a 6k stipend, which are both financial benefits that any college student will happily accept.
In terms of how I plan to use this to guide my college decisions in Actuarial Science and Mathematics, I plan to use this opportunity to narrow down a specific career I might want to pursue in the future. What I mean by this is that I have always enjoyed math, and I have known from a young age that I wanted to pursue a career involving math, analysis, and/or statistics. At this point, I do not have enough experience to know exactly which area I want to pursue. Mathematics and Statistics make up a large variety of different courses and an even larger variety of careers, so taking advantage of this opportunity after my freshman year will help me gain experience in these different areas of Math to give me a better idea of which I want to focus on. This program will expose me to several different research topics, and I want to learn as much as possible, as well as gain real work experience.
While I am only a freshman and I have plenty of time to figure out what I want to do, as an opportunist I saw this program as a great way to get this hands-on experience early on so I can have my future and career figured out early on as well.
III. FACULTY FEATURE
Dr. Eve Klopf
Dr. Eve Klopf teaches classes in electrical engineering such as engineering electromagnetics, communications and introduction to engineering design. She enjoys mentoring student projects, and is the faculty adviser for the Robotics Club. Her interests include microwave/RF engineering, computational electromagnetics and engineering education.
1. What motivated you to choose your field of practice and what do you enjoy about it?
I think that I went into engineering because I like making things. There’s something very enjoyable about thinking up an idea and making it a reality. As a kid, I did a lot of arts and crafts like crocheting and beadwork. I was also always good at math in school. When the time came for me to select a career, engineering was the obvious choice — it combines mathematical thinking with the satisfaction of creating something of your own and seeing it work!
2. What are your current research interests?
I’m very interested in applications of liquid conductors to microwave filters and antennas. People don’t often think about the possibilities of liquids as electrically conductive materials, but they have fascinating (and even tunable) properties that have a lot of potential as an element of various devices.
3. What are you most excited about in regards to the upcoming semester?
I’m most excited about seeing the projects that students will create in the introductory engineering class — we give them the opportunity to propose, design, and build!
4. Do you have any hobbies/ interests outside of work that you would like to share?
I spend most of my time outside of work just spending time with my family and enjoying the beautiful greenery of nature in North Carolina! I have two young children; in the fall, one will be starting middle school and the other will be starting kindergarten.
5. If you could go back in time, what, if anything, would you do differently as a student? If I could go back in time and do something different as a student, I think that I would try to plan out my future more clearly instead of just going with the flow. In school, I knew people who had very specific five year and ten year plans even when they were students in college, and I think that having that kind of clarity was helpful to them in making decisions about courses, internships, job applications, and professional advancement.
Dr. Niloofar Ghorbani
Dr. Niloofar Ghorbani teaches courses in actuarial science, data analytics, and statistics. In addition to math and other Webb School of Engineering majors, Dr. Ghorbani’s courses are essential for any major that works with data such as business, chemistry, finance, and psychology — a trend that many other majors will undoubtedly follow. Dr. Ghorbani’s research has analyzed image processing data to improve MRI technology for detecting brain tumors as well as created models useful in the financial sectors. She is currently investigating the intersection of computer science (including artificial intelligence and neural networks) and the business / financial sectors.”
1. What motivated you to choose your field of practice and what do you enjoy about it?
I always excelled in subjects that involved formulas — math and physics for example. You could say that Mathematics and Statistics always “spoke” to me. Growing up, I learned about Maryam Mirzakhani who won a Mathematics Field Medal — the first of only two women to ever win this most prestigious award in mathematics. She is Persian like me, and she passed away a month or so after I began my PhD. She is definitely a role model, and I hope in some small way that I echo her legacy.
2. What are your current research interests?
Stochastic processes, financial mathematics, actuarial science, and artificial intelligence.
3. What are you most excited about in regards to the upcoming semester?
I have spent the 2022-2023 academic year conducting some research and foundational materials that I aim to turn into a research project. I’m excited about (hopefully) collaborating with students and faculty from other departments as my project develops.
4. Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work that you would like to share?
I know I have found the right field because I’m often reading and researching math, finance, and artificial intelligence
5. If you could go back in time, what, if anything, would you do differently as a student?
I would be more open to opportunities and collaboration with other students and faculty. Every opportunity is a chance to learn and grow.
IV. STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Emily Lattanzio B.S (Computer Engineering), 2023
1. What are you studying at HPU? I am a computer engineering major.
2. Why did you choose HPU?
I choose HPU because I relate connect with its motto “choose to be extraordinary”. I believe that every day we need to choose to be the best possible version of ourselves, and HPU embodies that.
3. What interests do you have outside of your major?
Outside of my major I love to read! I’m a huge book nerd.
4. What are some of the challenges that you have faced or overcome this semester?
This semester I have been pretty busy with my classes and workload. It’s been a little tough trying to get all of my work done while still trying to live in the moment and enjoy my last few months here at HPU.
5. What do you hope to do with your degree when you graduate?
After I graduate I will be pursuing my Masters degree in Computer Engineering at Clemson University.
6. Are you involved in any activities on campus? In what capacity?
I am generally pretty busy with engineering work, but outside of that I am in the Alpha Lamda National Honor Society and National Society for Leadership and Success.
7. What advice would you like to share with your peers or with future students?
Don’t get discouraged when you do not understand something! This field is tough for everyone. Go to office hours and don’t be aftraid to ask questions. Professors are here to help.
1. What are you studying at HPU? Computer Engineering.
2. Why did you choose HPU?
Luke Schooley B.S (Computer Engineering), 2023
I chose HPU because I believed that it would offer me experiences in and out of the classroom that other universities would not be able to match.
3. What interests do you have outside of your major? I like to read, watch Philadelphia sports teams, play golf, and exercise.
4. What are some of the challenges that you have faced or overcome this semester?
I have spent a lot of time job hunting this semester, and I have faced rejection from a lot of positions that I have put a lot of work into.
5. What do you hope to do with your degree when you graduate?
I would like to work as a Controls Engineer.
6. Are you involved in any activities on campus? In what capacity?
I like to play intramural sports; I am a member of the Botany Club; I am a member of the Honors program.
7. What advice would you like to share with your peers or with future students?
Engineering is not easy, so if something does not make sense to you, it also does not make sense to a lot of other people. There are two types of students: students that ask questions, and students who fail.
TUDENT SPOTLIGHT
hat are you studying at HPU?
2. Why did you choose HPU?
B.S (Actuarial Science and Data Analytics
I am double majoring in Actuarial Science and Data Analytics & Statistics with a minor in Mathematics.
I chose HPU because of the opportunity to study both of my majors in a four-year span, the early interactions I had with mathematics faculty, the Honors Scholars program, and the amazing dining staff who accommodate my many allergies.
3. What interests do you have outside of your major?
I absolute LOVE to run and bike, as well as hike, strength train, do yoga, and be active! Working out & fitness are a huge part of my life, as well as nutrition & healthy living.
4. What are some of the challenges that you have faced or overcome this semester?
This semester has been smooth sailing! I’m really good at over-committing myself, and over the past few semesters, I’ve learned balance my schedule in a way that’s best for me.
5. What do you hope to do with your degree when you graduate? I hope to be an actuary or be a data analyst. I am interning at Zurich Insurance this summer in the actuarial department, which will help me in deciding which of those paths is right for me.
6. Are you involved in any activities on campus? In what capacity?
I am the violist in the High Strung String Quartet, as well as a violist in the HPU Community Orchestra. I am a member of the Honors Health & Wellness Team, and I love planning events & managing social media for the team.
7. What advice would you like to share with your peers or with future students?
Make friends in the math department! Knowing other students in my classes makes learning SO much more motivating, and I love working with others when learning the material. And math people are just really fun people :).
The
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