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MSOE

DIMENSIONS

University Scholars

SPRING 2018

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Alumni and Friends, I’m excited to share with you some early results of our strategic planning process. After more than six months of hard work, a committee of MSOE faculty, staff, students and alumni, together with input and approval from the MSOE Board of Regents, have developed new mission and vision statements for our university. We feel these statements not only capture our distinctive mission as an institution today, but also define an ambitious long-term vision for our future. Mission MSOE is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. Vision MSOE will set the standard for preparing leaders to solve the diverse technical challenges of the 21st century. As part of the planning process, we have also defined six core values that will guide our decision making. Part of our strategy will be to build a campus culture in which these values are shared and practiced by all members of our community. These values are: Collaboration – We value working together across boundaries. Excellence – We value the pursuit and achievement of excellence. Inclusion – We value authentic engagement with diverse people, beliefs and ideas. Innovation – We value creativity and new ideas for lifelong service, discovery and growth. Integrity – We value doing the right thing in a reliable way. Stewardship – We value the responsible use of our resources. The five-year plan is organized around three key commitments—Commitment to Community; Commitment to Learning and Discovery; and Commitment to Being Extraordinary. For each commitment we have identified a set of strategies and specific action items that support our mission and vision. While I am extremely proud of the efforts we have made so far in building our plan, our work is not finished. Currently, an implementation committee is analyzing the various action items to define the impact and cost of each, along with a resulting priority. In addition, a separate task group is identifying a set of key performance indicators to track the impact of our plan. Once all this is done, we can begin the process of implementation and seeing the results of our efforts. As I told our faculty and staff, this plan was not developed for the sake of simply developing a plan and sticking it on a bookshelf. We will be referencing this plan throughout the next five years, using the performance indicators to evaluate our progress, and making changes as necessary to keep the plan up-to-date. It is truly an exciting time for our university.

Sincerely,

John Y. Walz., Ph.D. President

SPOTLIGHT ON LEADERSHIP

Dr. Robert A. Wagner ’64 Kelly Bauserman ’15, ’16 (left) and Dr. Bob Wagner collaborate on a design. Bauserman is part of The Wagner Cos.' New Product Development group and is currently pursuing an M.S. in New Product Management from MSOE.

2002 and is passionate about helping the community and volunteering with organizations such as Fox Point Lutheran Church; Kearney Foundation; Layton Art Collection; Milwaukee Art Museum; Salvation Army; Wisconsin Arts Board; and Wisconsin Humane Society, to name a few.

MSOE Regent Robert A. Wagner ’64 has been connected to MSOE since before he could even walk. His father Adolph attended the university before serving in World War I and was a lifelong friend of Karl Werwath, MSOE’s second president and the founder’s son. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, Wagner was one of two mechanical engineers in sales at Louis Allis Company, an electric motor manufacturer. “I worked with the air conditioning accounts because I understood the difference between a condenser and an evaporator,” he said. “MSOE taught me how to think and how to find answers. You don’t have to know it all, but you have to know where to find the answer.” After a few years, Wagner’s father asked him to join his company, R&B Wagner, which creates and manufactures innovative metal products for the fabricating industry. After decades of growth and acquisitions, R&B Wagner was established as an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and became The Wagner Companies to its customers. Wagner continues to serve as chairman of the board. “I love to develop new products and get excited for new opportunities,” said Wagner. “We’re not just a metal working business anymore; we recently expanded to include LED lighting.” MSOE awarded Wagner an Honorary Doctor of Engineering during the 2018 Winter Commencement in recognition of his career achievements and support of MSOE and its students. He has served as an MSOE Regent since

In his free time, Wagner competes in vintage classes with his 1960 Austin Healey and 1958 Devin Chevrolet at Road America, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, and Circuit of the Americas. He hunts big game out West in the mountains and deserts. He also collects Civil War memorabilia and 18th- and 19th-century American folk art. He enjoys traveling with his wife of 51 years, Jo Ann. They have one daughter, Laura, and one grandson, Robert.

Thoughts for the Ages For the past 20 years, Bob Wagner has been collecting, what he calls, “Thoughts for the Ages.” Of the nearly 500 in his collection, here are a few that he shared as inspiration and guidance for MSOE students: • Do the right thing, let ethics be your guide. • Don’t let tomorrow scare you, it’s just a brief moment in time. • What we see depends mainly on what we are looking for. And his current favorite: • I’ll worry about old age when I get there.

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IN THIS ISSUE

UPCOMING EVENTS

SPRING 2018

3-5 Highlights 6

Club Sports and Intramurals Take Off

Caring for Karen

St. Patrick’s Week

Faculty Feature

10-11

Fresh Spaces and Places

Music to Their Ears

Inspiring Entrepreneurial Minds

April 23 Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall Groundbreaking May 8 Graduate Programs Showcase 14-16 Fluid Power Technology Conference 19/25 Senior Project Days 26 Commencement

14-16 Honors Students Tackle Community Projects 17

At the Grohmann

18-19

Alumni Friends Go the Distance

20-21

Raiders’ Wrap-Up

Winter Commencement

23-28

Alumni on the Move

Across the Airwaves

July 8-27 9-13 13-15 14

Summer Programs for High School Students Senior Visit Days Summer in the City Open House

August 10 Senior Visit Day 17 Senior Visit Day

For more information, please call (414) 277-7117 or visit msoe.edu/campus-life/calendar Athletic events: go-raiders.com Fluid Power Professional Education Seminars: msoe.edu/seminars

ON THE COVER Josiah Zachariah and Brooke Zidek, along with their fellow honors students in the University Scholars Program, explore the power of place through project-based learning and servant-leadership opportunities. See story on page 14.

Professional Education courses: msoe.edu/professional-education

DIMENSIONS Milwaukee School of Engineering Magazine

Editor: JoEllen Burdue Managing Editor: Kristen Kubisiak Print Coordinator: Leigh Ann Hass Graphic Designer: Peg Houghton Contributing Writers: JoEllen Burdue, Kevin Conway, Kristen Kubisiak, Loreen Pace, Dr. John Y. Walz Contributing Photography: Austin Calderone, Dr. Eric Durant ’98, Troy Freund, Grad Images, Mark Hines, Peg Houghton, John Nienhuis, Paul Park, Erol Reyal, Joshua Walling

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Use, reproduction or storage of the name, address or other information about any individual identified within this magazine is strictly prohibited and constitutes misappropriation of corporate property. Address correspondence to Dimensions Magazine, 1025 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202; marketing@msoe.edu; or (414) 277-7117. SPRING 2018 Volume 32, No. 2

HIGHLIGHTS Creative construction solutions MSOE’s Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) competition team won the second place award at the Associated Schools of Construction National VDC Competition. This competition challenges students from universities throughout the United States to develop creative solutions using a wide range of VDC technologies. Students developed professional solutions of estimating, scheduling, site logistics and project coordination problems for a San Francisco hospital project—in only 15 hours. They were judged by a group of professionals who had worked on the actual hospital project.

MSOE launches new B.S. in Computer Science MSOE will offer a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science beginning in Fall 2018. The addition of this degree further strengthens MSOE and the Midwest region as a national leader in artificial intelligence and computational science. “The computer science degree at MSOE will be focused on artificial intelligence, boldly placing us among the top CS degrees in the nation,” said Dr. John Walz, MSOE president. “Like all other MSOE programs, computer science students will be taught an industrydriven curriculum in an application-oriented environment, ensuring that they are prepared to hit the ground running upon graduation.”

Back, left to right: Coach Dave Grassl ’04, instructor; Zach Gaatz, construction management; Brandon Strzelecki, construction management; Coach Jeong Woo, Ph.D. Front, left to right: Benjamin Rust, construction management; Megan Hanelt, civil engineering; Deanna Engelmeyer (captain), architectural engineering; Michaela Thiry, architectural engineering.

Dr. Derek Riley, associate professor, serves as the program director. Students enrolled in all MSOE degree programs will be able to take computer science courses so they can understand the broad implications and applications of artificial intelligence in their respective fields. The program, which has been in development for months, comes on the heels of the announcement of the $34 million gift from Dr. Dwight ’90 and Dian Diercks to construct the Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall in the center of the MSOE campus (msoe.edu/dierckshall).

Nominate today for MSOE Athletic Hall of Fame The MSOE Athletics Department is now accepting nominations for the MSOE Athletic Hall of Fame. Nominate MSOE alumni who, as student-athletes, gave their all and were leaders during their college careers. These players exuded leadership and sportsmanship, not only recognized by MSOE, but many were recognized regionally and nationally. Visit go-raiders.com/inside/hof for criteria and a nomination form.

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HIGHLIGHTS Direct Supply expands on campus The Executive Committee of the MSOE Board of Regents has approved a new, triple net lease with Direct Supply for rental of the entire German-English Academy (GEA). Since 2012, Direct Supply has leased the third and fourth floors of the building, where they operate their Innovation and Technology Center. Direct Supply provides intern and partnership opportunities for MSOE students and faculty on the development of new products and services in support of the senior living industry. Under the new lease, Direct Supply will greatly expand their technology center, creating even more partnership opportunities for MSOE faculty and students. The company plans to invest nearly $9 million renovating and modernizing the GEA to make it a true ‘showpiece’ innovation center. Included in these plans is the opening of a café/coffee shop in the building that will serve the entire campus community, along with an outdoor patio. “This renovation, coupled with the construction of the Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall directly behind the GEA, will not only mark a major transformation for the center of our campus, but will be of tremendous help in continuing to attract outstanding faculty, staff and students to MSOE,” said Dr. John Walz, MSOE president. “This is truly a win-win opportunity for both parties and I am extremely excited about this opportunity.” Work on the renovations to the GEA are underway and should be completed by summer 2019.

Dr. Viets inducted into MSOE Athletic Hall of Fame The late Dr. Hermann Viets, MSOE President Emeritus, was inducted into the MSOE Athletic Hall of Fame during a special ceremony celebrating his life and legacy in October. During his tenure, MSOE’s athletic program saw significant growth. The university joined the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Teams were added for men’s volleyball, men’s rowing, men’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s track and field. Dr. Viets’ conviction that physical fitness and athletic competition opportunities are integral to a student’s growth and development resulted in the addition of the Kern Center and Pamela and Hermann Viets Field to campus.

Students and faculty make headlines • Holly Denfeld, architectural engineering and construction management senior, was selected first-place winner of the 2018 James L. Allhands Essay Contest by the board of directors of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Education and Research Foundation. • Dr. Aruna Lal, associate professor, School of Nursing, received an Army Commendation Medal for her role in Soldier Education and Readiness for Deployment. • Dr. Russ Meier, professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, was elevated to the role of IEEE Fellow and elected 2017-18 president-elect of the IEEE Education Society in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). • Rhonda Powell, assistant professor, School of Nursing, will receive the Children’s Healthy Vision Award from Prevent Blindness Wisconsin in honor of her work with MSOE nursing students to provide vision screenings for more than 1,000 children each year. • Dr. Blake Wentz, chair of MSOE’s Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Department, was elected 2nd Vice President of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC).

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Students warm the community Hundreds of hands, heads and hearts were a bit warmer this winter thanks to the generosity of students living in MSOE’s residence halls. Members of the Residence Hall Association (RHA) organized a collection of more than 400 donated hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and more from their fellow students. Over the holiday break, RHA members Nick Brnot, Arandu Huerta and Anna Spaude delivered the goods to Repairers of the Breach, the only daytime refuge and resource center for homeless adults in the Greater Milwaukee area. Each year, RHA organizes similar initiatives and partners with the Office of ServantLeadership to find organizations to support.

Left to right: Anna Spaude, Nick Brnot, Arandu Huerta and Ralpheal Gordon, Repairers of the Breach center manager

MSOE hosts Chinese delegates MSOE hosted a delegation from the China Ministry of Education and Cisco Net Academy. More than 25 Chinese delegates spent Nov. 2, 2017 interacting with and learning from MSOE’s leaders, faculty, staff and students. The China Ministry of Education delegates were comprised of policymakers from the central and local government and head administrators of colleges and vocational colleges. Cisco leaders and administration were also involved. Highlights included tours and presentations covering MSOE’s partners

in industry, the honors program and servant-leadership, senior design, the Makers Lab and the Applied Technology Center. Cross-cultural sharing, supported by MSOE students from China, occurred over lunch. The experience was made possible through relationships developed through MSOE’s Doing Business with China Program. In addition to MSOE, the delegation spent full days at Purdue University, Madison Area Technical College, Rockwell Automation and a week in Silicon Valley.

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Club Sports and Intramurals Take Off If it’s not a bird or a plane, and it’s definitely not Superman, there’s only one other possible explanation for the unidentified flying objects in MSOE’s air space: students are forming a MultiGP drone racing team. Rotocross, also known as competitive drone racing, is the newest activity offered through MSOE’s club and intramural sports. “This kind of club is a natural fit for MSOE,” said Anthony Popowski, senior electrical engineering major and drone pilot. “Having something as exciting to watch as rotocross with the added possibility of building your own drone brings a lot to the table.” Rotocross is one of many club sports offered at MSOE— including baseball, bowling, hockey, rugby, soccer, swimming, ultimate Frisbee and women’s rowing. In addition to club sports, MSOE offers eight intramural leagues, including flag football, volleyball, dodgeball, basketball, kickball, indoor soccer, floor hockey and softball. Both club and intramural sports provide students the opportunity to continue to compete—just at different levels. “Intramurals are held on campus and you are competing against other MSOE students. Club sports go off campus to compete against

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other schools,” said Coordinator of Club Sports and Game Management Mike Porcaro. Students play a large role in club teams—determining the practice schedule, fundraisers, team rules and other aspects of management; but it’s less commitment than an NCAA division three sport. Across the eight club sports, 136 students are active participants. “Club sports allow you to have a more relaxed, yet competitive experience, but also allow for adequate time to focus on your studies,” said junior computer engineering major Chris Caruana, club soccer president. The intramural sports program promotes a healthy lifestyle for students, faculty and staff regardless of their degree of athletic ability, explained Jimmy Banks, intramurals coordinator. “Intramural sports build strong bonds within the college community,” he said. Both club and intramural sport offerings evolve to reflect student interest, as is the case with the addition of rotocross in the fall of 2018. “It is definitely new territory but something I think will be very successful moving forward,” said Porcaro. “I think the club will be appealing to our current and prospective students. The combination of competition, working with drones, and flying drones is something that aligns with what a lot of MSOE students are interested in.”

Caring for Karen “Our on-campus simulations truly prepare students for their clinical experiences and careers. We are fortunate to be the only nursing school in the area with a preemie manikin.”

— Dr. Renee Wenzlaff

to heart sounds for premature ventricular contraction (PVC), and intubating a preterm infant. During the simulation, professors control what is visibly happening with Karen (crying, turning blue, having retractions and more) and internally (vital signs, respiratory sounds, etc.).

or new and experienced nurses alike, caring for premature infants can be intimidating. They are tiny, often have medical complications, and spend many of their first days or weeks within an incubator in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The most recent addition to the “family” (generations of high-fidelity manikins used for educational purposes) was “Preemie Karen,” a premature manikin that helps prepare students for their clinical experience in a NICU. At approximately 1.7 pounds, Karen is a realistically proportioned 25-week preterm manikin that was developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics. The name Karen was chosen for the manikin in honor of the anonymous donors who provided the funding for this valuable learning tool for the MSOE School of Nursing.

In addition to teaching full-time at MSOE, Wenzlaff works as a NICU nurse at Aurora Sinai Medical Center, which allows her to bring her real-world experience into the classroom and simulations. “Guidelines for the care of preterm infants are always improving, making it important for students to learn the most up-to-date information in order to provide safe and effective care of the premature infant,” Wenzlaff said. “Our on-campus simulations truly prepare students for their clinical experiences and careers. We are fortunate to be the only nursing school in the area with a preemie manikin.”

All nursing students will have an opportunity to interact with Karen when they take the required senior-level course Nursing Care of Clients with Complex Episodic Health Challenges. During this course, students focus on the care of critically ill clients of all ages—including premature infants. “We use preemie Karen to teach students how to lift, hold, turn and position premature infants, which helps them become comfortable in a simulated NICU environment,” said Dr. Renee Wenzlaff, associate professor. Simulations in the Ruehlow Nursing Complex also give students the opportunity to practice inserting an intravenous (IV) cannula, drawing blood from the umbilical cord, listening

Dr. Renee Wenzlaff (center) teaches senior nursing students George Ademi and Katelyn Ammon how to care for a premature infant using the School of Nursing’s new manikin.

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FACULTY FEATURE Dr. Derek Riley

“ Technology will always change, so lifelong learning is a must in this field.”

erek Riley, Ph.D. joined the MSOE faculty in 2016 and is an associate professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department. He recently was named program director of MSOE’s new Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. In addition to teaching at MSOE, Riley provides consulting services for companies regarding big data, and helps them find ways to turn the information they are collecting into insight to enhance their bottom line. He is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). His areas of expertise include big data, algorithms, process modeling and simulation, scrum and agile processes, and mobile computing/ programming. Teaching philosophy: Learn by doing. Real problems provide the best learning. Favorite thing about MSOE: Students and colleagues Hobbies: Woodworking, curling Favorite place to travel: Alaska Last book read: “The Robe” Favorite musician: The Bad Plus First car: 1967 Dodge Coronet (my great-grandmother bought it new and drove it until she gave it to me)

First job: Grocery store bagger/ cart runner for Festival Foods Fun facts: My father recently retired as a CS professor at UW-La Crosse. My sister is a biochemistry professor at Rollins College. Most important lesson learned: Technology will always change, so lifelong learning is a must in this field. Family: My wife was an industrial engineer for General Mills, but now she is a full-time mom for our 3and 1-year-old boys. Hometown: Onalaska, Wisconsin Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in Computer Science, Vanderbilt University; B.A. in Computer Science, Wartburg College Teaching experience: Research assistant professor, Vanderbilt University; assistant professor, Middle Tennessee State University; associate professor, founder of UWP-App Factory, UW-Parkside

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Fresh Spaces and Places Makers Lab Students now have a special space that acts as a one-stop shop for pursuing creative technical projects—the MSOE Makers Lab. Funded by an anonymous donor, the Makers Lab is currently available to students in the Electric Engineering and Computer Science Department, with a goal of expanding to the wider student population. The lab brings equipment traditionally spread across campus into one space, including soldering stations for assembling circuit boards, an assortment of bench power tools and hand tools, and two new 3D printers. Additional 3D printers, a circuit board router, a manual surface mount circuit pick-and-place machine, and a laser cutter are still on the wish list. Instrumentation Lab A new Instrumentation Lab in the Mechanical Engineering Department is equipped with state-of-the-art oscilloscopes, function generators, electronic scales, digital multi-meters and triple beam balances for experiments measuring displacement, pressure, strain, temperature and flow. In an instrumentation class led by Dr. Mathew Schaefer, students used Marimba bars to demonstrate vibration measurement techniques (pictured at right). The objective was for them to learn how to use accelerometers to measure vibration, signal-conditioning equipment to make the measured signal easier to record, and analog-to-digital converters to help record the signal on lab computers. The course teaches students how to select measurement devices and techniques in mechanical engineering design, steady-state and transient sensor performance characteristics and data acquisition techniques through a variety of devices. Senior Tyler Dehn and junior Gabe Wear analyze the signal on the lab computer after senior Jacob Rusch strikes a Marimba bar connected to an accelerometer, sending a vibration through signal-conditioning equipment, and then into an analog to digital converter.

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Dr. Darrin Rothe ’92, and students in his Embedded System Fabrication class (pictured above), were among the first to use the lab. Students designed a printed circuit board, had the PCB fabricated, assembled the board, designed and 3D printed an enclosure, and assembled and tested the completed device. “MSOE has always been very hands-on,” Rothe said. “This lab puts the most useful resources in one room, enhancing education by removing barriers and encouraging more handson exploration.”

Library Student utilization of MSOE’s Walter Schroeder Library is up 12 percent from this time last year, an increase that’s being attributed—at least in part—to a summer makeover of the facility. A highlight of the improvements, which included a new entrance atrium to the building, outside window maintenance, new carpet installation and a fresh coat of interior paint, was the creation of collaborative study spaces. Located on the east side of the library’s second floor, the collaborative spaces were created by moving most of the print book collection to the ground floor. The space features seven study rooms, four of which are equipped with previously purchased wireless large-screen monitors and conference tables.

More than

80%

of library users rate the makeover as “good” to “great.”

Four “zones” within the collaborative area are each furnished with wheeled tables, task chairs and large dry erase boards. Easy-to-configure banquette tables and chairs, and booth seating support ad hoc groupings. Talking is permitted on the second floor, while silent study is offered on the first. “Our student feedback indicated that these collaborative spaces are important,” said library director Gary Shimek.

“Now that the spaces are established in the library, we can look forward in subsequent years to making improvements with technology and other amenities.” Response to the makeover has been very positive. More than 80 percent of library users in an online survey indicated that the makeover was “good” to “great.” Library staff is already working with the Student Government Association (SGA) on the idea of making extra plug-in computer screens available, enabling students to easily work with two screens. Also as part of the makeover, new artwork from the Grohmann Museum was installed, including “The Walker’s Point Pan,” by Michael Newhall, a nine-panel, 42-foot-long panoramic view of Milwaukee, which was placed above the stairwell leading to the ground floor. The Schroeder Room was upgraded with state-of-the-art instructional technology, including video conferencing, lecture capture, presentation capture, AirMedia connectivity and other applications—all managed by an intuitive touch screen control pad—as well as a new ceiling-mounted camera, sound system, screen and LCD projector. “Students let you know if they think changes that you make are useful,” Shimek said. “It seems as if we’re on the right track.”

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Music to Their Ears M

SOE students are finding rest, relaxation and rhythm in the university’s growing music program. Offered as a non-credit opportunity, there are no auditions, fees or specific entry requirements—all that’s needed is a passion for music.

String Orchestra

Sean Hardiman, a mechanical engineering student, has that in spades. His musical resume includes playing in the Central State Chamber Orchestra, the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, and being chosen to perform in the Wisconsin School Music Association’s nationally recognized High School State Honors Orchestra. The opportunity to join a musical program was an unexpected surprise when he arrived at MSOE. “Many other small universities don’t have any type of organized music program—that really sets MSOE apart.” For many years, music programming was offered informally, as ensemble-specific clubs. Then in 2017, David Collins was hired as a music program director to unify the ensembles and provide continuity and consistency to the MSOE music experience.

Jazz Ensemble

“Thirty percent of our incoming students played music all four years in high school,” said Codi Alger, coordinator for student programming and engagement. “By creating an intentional music program, we better meet the needs of the prospective students who want a formal program and add to the community spirit.” About 100 students participate in the music program. Besides two concerts each year, the ensembles can be found performing at athletic competitions, and campus and community events. “I want to provide a positive and engaging distraction from schoolwork,” Collins said. “It’s an opportunity for students to

MSOE Choir

cultivate their musical skills and challenge themselves while sharing their talent with the community.” Scientifically proven benefits of playing music include enhanced memory and cognitive performance; and participating is another way to grow teamwork and collaboration skills, Collins said. “It’s a win-win.” “Basically it allows me to unwind from my classes twice a week and play some good music with some great people,” Hardiman said. Comments like that are music to Collins’ ears. “Now that we have higher membership in both our brass ensemble and string orchestra, I’m preparing to launch a chamber orchestra or concert band,” he said. “Another project I have for the future is to find students who are interested in exploring where their engineering and music—specifically sound design—meet. The best and more influential electronic musical instruments (think analog synthesizers) were designed by engineers.”

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Inspiring Entrepreneurial Minds

MSOE’s University Innovation Fellows, left to right: Michaela Thiry, Sabrina Stangler, Tara Rahmani and Nicholas Hennigan.

Nicholas Hennigan, Tara Rahmani, Sabrina Stangler and Michaela Thiry are the first four MSOE students to be named University Innovation Fellows (UIF). The international program, run by Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school), empowers students to become agents of change at their universities. A major goal of the UIF program is to inspire innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset among university students. “I feel this program is the perfect mix of creativity and entrepreneurship in which we can really start something amazing here at MSOE,” Hennigan said. MSOE’s Fellows were among 258 students from 64 universities in nine countries chosen to participate in the UIF program. Fellows go through six weeks of online training and travel to the UIF Silicon Valley Meetup. Throughout the year, they take part in conferences, digital meet-ups, and opportunities to learn from one another, Stanford mentors, and leaders in academia and industry. The Kern Family Foundation is sponsoring MSOE’s four Fellows. The Fellows want to create more study areas on campus, as well as additional maker and collaboration spaces. These spaces, Stangler said, are critical to bringing interdisciplinary groups and projects together. “The maker space also provides a place for people to think creatively and have the resources to take off with an idea,” she said. “Being a Fellow is about being innovative, creative and design seeking. It’s what engineers should do and should be,” said Rahmani. As a Fellow, she hopes to give a voice to students and push for ways to better campus life.

MSOE’s Fellows have identified several strategies for expanding innovation and entrepreneurship on campus and in the community: 1. Create a dedicated makerspace to allow students to come together, hold events and meetings, run workshops and be entrepreneurs. 2. Improve MSOE’s policy regarding intellectual property and patents. 3. Inspire and create a startup community, including a lecture series and nights of innovation. 4. Offer a series of innovative and entrepreneurial events, including TED talks, faculty speakers and pop-up classes. 5. Improve communication between faculty, staff and students through fishbowl exercises.

Thiry said she would like all students to have the same sense of pride for MSOE she has. “I want to improve how our own organizations coordinate with each other,” said Thiry. “I’m also interested in networking with other universities to see what they do differently that maybe our campus could benefit from.” .msoe Read more about the Fellows at msoe.edu. DIMENSIONS x SPRING 2018

Honors Students Tackle Community Projects

n old warehouse. An elementary school. A city park. A soccer field. These are some of the locations where students in the University Scholars Honors Program find themselves as they explore the power of place through project-based learning. “The relationships between the human, physical, historical, cultural and technological factors affect people, the natural world and the built environment,” said Dr. Michael Carriere, director of the honors program and professor in the Humanities, Social Science and Communication Department. “Ultimately I want each student to answer this vital question: what makes particular spaces healthy, equitable and sustainable?” The University Scholars Honors Program debuted

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in the fall of 2010 with specialized academic courses or “honors” sections offered in several departments. Twenty-six students were enrolled. A few years later under Carriere’s leadership it underwent a programmatic shift. “I have tried to instill a more cohesive vision that allows students to see the context of the decisions they will make as professionals,” Carriere said. “The honors program offers ‘real-world’ projects that allow young engineers to develop their respective skill sets while practicing a pedagogy based on collaboration, interdisciplinary and inter-institutional partnerships.” MSOE Servant-Leadership—a program that stresses hands-on, experiential learning and community engagement—was a natural partner in this initiative.

“Servant-leadership at MSOE is the conduit between the community partners we serve, the corporate partners who serve as industry mentors to our students, and our faculty who connect these projects to specific learning outcomes,” said DeAnna Leitzke ’98, ’08 P.E., chair of servant-leadership. “University Scholars is a great example of how project-based service learning can be successfully integrated into our curriculum.” Freshman Shahbaz Mogal, who is studying software engineering, is a part of an honors team that’s partnering with Milwaukee-area Browning Elementary School, located in the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center (pictured at left). They are building a solar food hydrator and aquaponics facility and creating an accompanying academic curriculum around the technology.

“The common thread that runs through our project is the idea of turning waste into opportunity,” Mogal said. “Subsequently, we will inculcate elementary students with the love for STEM-related fields and entrepreneurship.”

Another project is taking place at the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary—a five-story warehouse building in Milwaukee’s inner city that is being converted into a multi-resource center for homeless and at-risk individuals. “ The ability to work on realThe MacCanon Brown project world projects and have a real involves two teams of honors students. Freshman Nick Brnot, electrical impact on the Milwaukee engineering major, is the project lead.

community is one of the most enjoyable parts of the University Scholars program.

“An aquaponics team is designing an indoor, food producing system and the outdoor space team is designing an outdoor gathering space and rooftop — Nick Brnot, freshman hydroponics garden,” Brnot said. Ideally, the sanctuary would produce The dehydrator will dry and food for its meal program mostly preserve fruit that would otherwise fall from trees and rot in-house. “The ability to work on real-world projects and have on the ground, while the proposed aquaponics system will a real impact on the Milwaukee community is one of the most cultivate fish and plants to sustain and promote the growth of enjoyable parts of the University Scholars program.” either other. Continued on page 16

Sharing two floors in Grohmann Tower enables honors students to form a learning community that reinforces their academic efforts.

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Leading By Service MSOE established the Pieper Family Endowed Chair for Servant-Leadership in 2004, thanks to a major gift from the Suzanne and Richard Pieper Family Foundation. DeAnna Leitzke ’98, ’08 P.E., assistant professor in the Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management (CAECM) Department currently holds the chair. Integrating project-based service learning into the curriculum has really taken off in MSOE’s honors program but it is also being facilitated in departments across campus. “We have always been applicationoriented at MSOE,” said Leitzke. “Project-based service opportunities are now recognized as a viable framework for this applied approach to learning.” Honors students enjoy residing in MSOE’s apartment-style housing in Grohmann Tower. From left: Alaina Jante, Nicole Lange, Claudia Kosiak, Joshua Wankowski.

But there are other perks as well. The University Scholars reside in a designated living and learning community offered in MSOE’s Grohmann Tower, an apartment-style housing option only available to upperclassmen. “Being in the honors program comes with a whole bundle of privileges,” said Mogal. The program also serves as a launch pad for other opportunities. “It pushed me to participate in The Commons —an entrepreneurial skills accelerator for college students in southeast Wisconsin—which has been life changing,” said Sabrina Stangler, a sophomore software engineering student. “It opened me up not only to participate in, but also lead, a team of six, which proved extremely valuable.” “I’ve been able to experience the benefits and pitfalls of a leadership position very early in my college career,” said Brnot.

When a community partner reaches out to ServantLeadership with a project opportunity, Leitzke tries to find an existing course with learning outcomes that match project objectives. Servant-Leadership also connects student organizations with service learning and community service opportunities. Recently, students in the Professional Construction Society at MSOE partnered with Tricklebee Café—a pay-whatyou-can diner in Milwaukee—to create walking paths. A Construction Methods class also contributed by building stages (on campus) that the business can use for events. Hunter Ring, a senior in construction management, led the project on site and was responsible for overseeing everything from estimating to scheduling and recruitment of student volunteers. “It was really an invaluable experience that allowed me to develop the skills I will need as a construction manager,” Ring said.

Currently offered as a two-year program with 67 students, Carriere would like to see the honors program continue to grow. “The next step is to make it a three-year program, which would involve all honors students participating in an undergraduate research experience during their junior year. The ultimate goal is to make it a four-year program, with honors-specific senior design projects serving as the capstone for the program.”

.msoe F or more information about the University Scholars Honors Program, visit msoe.edu/honors-program

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The path leading to Tricklebee Cafe was designed and built by MSOE students with help from community partners. From left, DeAnna Leitzke, Brook Scott, Hunter Ring, Savana Black, Doug Nelson and Taylor Heideman.

At the Grohmann Wallace W. Abbey: A Life in Railroad Photography

Events at the Grohmann Museum

May 11 – Aug. 19, 2018

Wallace W. Abbey: A Life in Railroad Photography Opening Event May 11, 6 to 8 p.m.

More than 40 outstanding photographs from the Center for Railroad Photography & Art’s Abbey Collection are displayed in Wallace W. Abbey: A Life in Railroad Photography, an exhibition at the Grohmann Museum presented in conjunction with the release of a new book by the same title. Abbey’s voice is essential in telling the story of American railroading in the latter half of the 20th century. As a journalist, author, historian and railroad industry communications executive, he helped a wide variety of constituency groups understand and appreciate what was omnipresent in the nation’s life: a world of locomotives, passenger trains, big-city terminals and smalltown depots, along with the hundreds of thousands of people who called themselves railroaders. His command of the subject stems from his early years as an apprentice railroader and a young reporter, experiences that would inform all his later work in magazines, books and corporate communications.

Kevin Keefe and Scott Lothes, authors of Wallace W. Abbey: A Life in Railroad Photography, will give a lecture and sign copies of their book, which profiles the life and work of this legendary photographer and showcases the transformation of transportation and photography after World War II. Gallery Night and Day Free admission Friday, July 20, 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 21, Noon to 6 p.m.

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Alumni Friends

Go Distance the

Academics often take center stage in discussions about higher education—the faculty, the projects, the labs. But for many MSOE alumni it is the lifelong relationships that are forged, both in the classrooms and beyond, that make the experience truly transformative. “When you go to college, you are on your own for the first time. You and your peers are going through similar things and great bonds are formed,” said Erin Youngerberg ’01. Youngerberg’s friendships with three alumni in particular have really gone the distance—literally—as they transitioned from classmates into friends and travel companions. Stephanie Johnson ’00, Mike Powalish ’01, Youngerberg, and Lisa Vanlerberghe ’02, met while students at MSOE but since graduation have gone on to see much of country and several continents together.

Africa, Asia, Europe and South America are also on the list of places they’ve visited. Most recently, Powalish and Youngerberg traveled to Pyeongchang, South Korea to see the Winter Olympics. “Traveling is important to me because it helps us see the world and meet people,” said Johnson. Stateside trips are also common—if for no other reason than to stay in touch. Youngerberg lives in New Jersey where she works for the Port Authority as the manager of rail planning and logistics; Johnson lives in North Carolina where she works for John Deere as the director of marketing, mass channel, turf and utility; Vanlerberghe and Powalish reside in Wisconsin, both working for MillerCoors as supply chain manager and optimization engineer, respectively.

“Our first trip was to Greece in 2007,” said Vanlerberghe. A total of 17 people participated in that trip. They also take trips as pairs or in smaller groups as time and family commitments allow. Youngerberg and Powalish once traveled to Singapore to visit Johnson when she lived there. “That meant the world to me that they would travel across the world to see me just when I was feeling homesick. It was perfect timing,” Johnson said.

“Traveling is important to me because it helps us see the world and meet people.”

— Stephanie Johnson ’00 From left: Erin Youngerberg, Stephanie Johnson, Mike Powalish and Lisa Vanlerberghe in Acapulco

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2018 Win ter Olym pics, Pyeo ngchang, S

outh Kor ea

“ Over the years the biggest takeaway is that we are all human; we are taught to fear those who are different from us, but the reality is there are more similarities than differences.” —Mike Powalish ’01 Packers games (home and away) are also a great excuse to visit a new destination.

Winter Park, Colorado

Traveling has provided an opportunity to learn about different cultures, geography and history, broadening the horizons of each alumnus. “I gain new perspectives on things,” Powalish said. “Over the years the biggest takeaway is that we are all human; we are taught to fear those who are different from us, but the reality is there are more similarities than differences.” New Year’s E ve

, Times Squa

re, New York

“I feel there are a lot of times now we refer to ‘remember that one time,’ even if it was just traveling to visit each other in whatever city we were living,” Youngerberg said. “Once I heard a quote, ‘here’s to the nights that become mornings with friends that become family.’ We actually know each other’s families and have become honorary members.” The group sees each other on average three or four times a year. “For me, it’s much more random,” Vanlerberghe said. “I’m the only married one so I have to balance that aspect of my life. Erin, Mike and Stephanie travel together much more than I do—but I join a trip here or there.” Youngerberg, Vanlerberghe and Powalish at Vanlerberghe’s wedding

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RAIDERS’ WRAP-UP Kirmse named to All-NACC First Team, Palesse Honorable Mention

Matthew Kirmse

Jason Palesse

Men’s basketball player Matthew Kirmse was named to the All-NACC First Team and Jason Palesse was named All-NACC Honorable Mention. Kirmse started all 26 games and currently led the league with 3.3 three-pointers per game this season. He finished as the team’s top scorer with 16.1 points per game, scoring in double-digits 24 times and topping 20 points seven times. He added 4.7 rebounds per game and posted one double-double. His 86 three-pointers are eighth-most in school history and give him 133 for his career, already seventh in program history. Palesse drove the Raiders’ offense all season, averaging 12.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game in 26 starts. He’s currently third in the NACC in assists per game while his 129 assists are the seventhmost in team history. He scored in double-figures 19 times and hit the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer against Louisiana College.

Shaylan Reardon

Reardon named to All-NACC second team Senior Shaylan Reardon of the MSOE women’s basketball team was named to the All-NACC Second Team. This season was a return to the floor after back-to-back season-ending injuries kept her sidelined since her standout sophomore season. This year Reardon started all 25 games and led the team with 14.2 points per game. She added 4.2 rebounds per contest, posted one double-double, scored in double-figures 22 times and reached 20 points three times. In just two active seasons as a Raider, Reardon scored 743 points in 52 games.

Bellile wins NCAA Regional Championship MSOE wrestler Austin Bellile became the program’s third-ever All-American by taking seventh at 285 pounds at the NCAA Championships, the highest finish for a Raider wrestler. He clinched All-American honors with a dramatic late pin to overcome an 8-4 deficit in the final minute of regulation. Bellile qualified for nationals with a dominant performance to win the NCAA Upper Midwest Regional Championship. He scored two quick falls (1:00 and 0:38) and a decision victory in the semifinals in his only match. Then, it took him just 49 seconds to secure a fall and claim the championship.

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Austin Bellile

Miller wins 300th game, Ostapina gets MSOE win #250 In a matter of weeks, the MSOE Athletic Department celebrated two notable milestones among its coaching ranks: 300 career coaching wins for men’s basketball coach Brian Miller and 250 wins at MSOE for hockey coach Mark Ostapina. Miller reached #300 on Jan. 23 when his team came back to defeat Marian at the Kern Center. His (now) 304 wins include stints at Lakeland and Concordia Chicago before racking up 219 wins leading the Red & White. Ostapina won his 250th game as the Raiders’ head man on Feb. 10 at Trine. He had surpassed 300 career wins late last season and now has 313 for his career, making him the winningest coach at MSOE. That puts him 77th in NCAA history for career wins and 24th among active NCAA men’s hockey coaches.

Zach Woodman

Hockey beats #1 St. Norbert Chris Hinrichs and Brett Wagner scored goals and Zach Woodman made 35 saves to propel the #13 MSOE to a 2-1 victory over #1 St. Norbert Jan. 2 at the Kern Center. The Raiders scored a win over the Green Knights for the third time in four seasons and handed the undisputed #1 team in the nation its first loss of the season. Jerica Kotarak

Brian Miller

Mark Ostapina

Track wins 4 championships, breaks 2 records Jerica Kotarak won both the long and triple jump events and Jessica Bilskie was victorious in the 55m hurdles as the MSOE women’s track & field team placed fourth at the NACC Indoor Track & Field Championships. Kotarak was named the Athlete of the Meet and repeated as Indoor Field Athlete of the Meet. She remained perfect in the horizontal jumps in NACC competitions, winning the long jump by 9 1/2 inches over second place and eclipsing her school, league and meet record by a quarter inch. In the triple jump, she leaped 37-2 1/4 to win by 4 1/4 inches. She went on to earn 12th place in the long jumps at nationals. Bilskie won a hurdle event by unleashing a time of 8.82 in the finals to win by 0.20 seconds. Kotarak and Bilskie were also a part of the record-breaking 4x400m relay, running with Patty Bray and Maia Heineck. The quartet combined on a time of 4:18.43 to surpass the previous record of 4:20.32 set last season. The men’s team tied for fourth place behind a championship run by its distance medley relay. Blake Bostwick, Trey Horbinski, Tripp Horbinski and Brian Jimenez combined on a time of 10:44.28 to win the relay by nearly 10 full seconds (9.98) over second place. DIMENSIONS x SPRING 2018

Winter Commencement 2018

MSOE Regent Robert Wagner ’64 ME (left) received an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from President John Walz, Ph.D.

Hamzah Mirza ’18 MIS was the class respondent.

Cassie Giamarusti ’18 IE (left) received the Alumni Association Award from Sarah Alt ’99 TC, Alumni Association president.

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Logan presented his mom, Melinda Rodriguez-Salus ’18 NU, with her pin during the Pinning Ceremony for the School of Nursing.

ALUMNI ON THE MOVE New Assignments

1990s Kurt Rosenberg ’90 MET, chief executive officer, Online Development Inc. (OLDI), Knoxville, Tenn. James “Jay” Stocki ’90 CS&E, senior vice president of data and product strategy, Experian Marketing Services, Schaumburg, Ill. Garry Dietrich ’91 AE, vice president of construction management, F.C. Dadson, Greenville, Wis.

Angelina (Rizano) Symicek ’95 B&CS, safety coordinator, City of River Falls, River Falls, Wis. Michael Hopkins ’99 ME, managing director of Launchpad and director of product development, Brooks Stevens Inc., Allenton, Wis. Christopher Lange ’99 ME, ’05 MSEM, vice-president of engineering, Triton Trailers, Hartford, Wis.

Timothy White ’99 ME, ’05 MSEM, business development and intellectual property manager, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth, Minn.

Owen Scheppman ’05 IE, vice president, NGS Printing, Elgin, Ill.

2000s

Daniel Scharff ’07 CM, vice president of construction, KPH Construction, Milwaukee

Marcus Poppler ’02 MET, vice president of engineering/ minority co-owner, Knight Manufacturing (formerly Komppa Machinery Group), Brookfield, Wis.

Mark Daly ’06 CE, head of product marketing, Philips, Baltimore, Md.

The MSOE Raiders Dance team held its annual alumni performance on Jan. 20 during the men’s and women’s basketball games. Eleven alumni participated in a routine with the current team members. Back, from left to right: Molly Kotrba ’15, Alice Johnson ’16, Kristin Yee ’11, Kirsten Werner ’14, Hannah Torvick ’16, Rhiannon Hansen ’15, Kira Hansen ’14, Alexa Alfaro, Karly Kasten ’17, Morgan Traub ’15, Beth Paoli ’17. Middle row, from left to right: Nicole Brusk, Zaida Hernandez-Irisson, Alexis Bernard, Diana Farfan, Audrey DeGuzman, Jamie Sykora. Bottom row, from left to right: Celine Visalda, Nora Butte, Sydney Kirschner, Shannon Fox, Arianna Ziemer, Kimberly Schonder, Serena Vetter.

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ALUMNI ON THE MOVE

Chicago Before rooting on the Raiders hockey team at Lake Forest College, MSOE alumni in the Chicago area got together for a pre-game reception.

Beverly and Michael ’95 Shipshock

Emily Rabe and Nickolas Roedel ’07

2010s Bryan Henne ’11 CM, vice president of estimating and pre-construction, KPH Construction, Milwaukee Austin Dostalek ’14 IE, continuous improvement leader, Charter Steel, Saukville, Wis. Jacob Frey ’14 AE, ’17 MSST, project engineer, Symbiont Science, Engineering and Construction Inc., Milwaukee Ronny Petschke ’14 ME, process engineer, Pinion GmbH, Denkendorf, Germany

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Left to right: John Price ’17, Marc McMahon ’05, Dennis Biesiada ’17, Mike Bordenet ’82

Taylor Tachon ’14 ME, product design engineer, Stoughton Trailers LLC, Stoughton, Wis. Domenik Girardi ’15 ME, lead sustaining engineer, SPI Lighting Inc., Mequon, Wis. Brandon Blanke ’16 BSE, ’17 MSEM, project engineer, Emerson Electric Company, West Allis, Wis. Gregory Herreld ’16 IE, continuous improvement engineer, Milwaukee Electric Tool, Brookfield, Wis. Michael Skow ’16 BE, ’17 MBA, service and support engineer, NordicNeuroLab, Mequon, Wis.

Victoria St. Martin ’16 BIOE, ’17 MBA, medical device reporting – vigilance specialist, Medtronic, Dellwood, Minn.

Natalie Creegan ’17 NU, registered nurse, Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Milwaukee

Hannah Torvick ’16 EE, patent engineer, Foley & Lardner LLP, Milwaukee

Roselyn Carrion ’17 ME, engineering professional development program, Abbott Laboratories, Lake Bluff, Ill.

Gregory Borsari ’17 AS, SQL data analyst, Delta Defense LLC, West Bend, Wis.

Brett Casper ’17 AE, process engineer, Presidio Systems Inc., Livermore, Calif.

Parichart Cecchini ’17 ME, Leadership Excellence Accelerated Development (LEAD) program employee, Greenheck Group, Schofield, Wis.

Marisa Gerstbrein ’17 NU, registered nurse, Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee TreJon House ’17 SE, software engineer, IFS North America, Itasca, Ill.

Peak Performance MSOE alumnus Kevin Meyers ’95 is a gold-medal cyclist with the need for speed—he even calls his tandem bike the “Chariot of Fire.” Meyers, who earned his degree in business systems management, is a member of the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA). Last year, he and his pilot, Greg Miller, broke the record for climbing Pikes Peak during the 2nd annual USA Cycling Hill Climb National Championship. Meyers, who lives in Greenfield, Wisconsin and Miller, from Knoxville, Tennessee, mounted their tandem at 9,390 feet and rode 12.42 miles at an average grade of 7 percent, gaining 4,725 feet to cross the finish line. They surpassed the performance of last year’s tandem team with a time of 2:24:25.63. “Reaching the top under our goal was the best part,” said Meyers. Although Meyers has been racing since 2009, winning two tandem national championships on the velodrome in the kilo event in 2012 and 2014, this was his first high altitude ride and it was not without its challenges.

Kevin Meyers ’95 (left) and his pilot Greg Miller won the USA Cycling Hill Climb National Championship.

“I had to focus on breathing and telling myself ‘no pain, no gain,’” he said. “The second challenge was the last two to three miles of climbing at a 10 percent incline.” Meyers prepared for the race by riding his indoor single bike with the front wheel raised on a block of wood, and the same tension on the rear wheel that would be used on the climb. “Once a week I would do a two- to three-hour grueling ride,” he said. Although Meyer and Miller trained in different states, they had previously raced together in 2009 and 2010 so it was easy for them to get back in sync.

At right, Meyers (right) and Miller at the starting line of the Pikes Peak race.

This year, Meyers and Miller have set some equally lofty goals including a 90-mile race around Lake Winnebago. When Meyers isn’t racing, he works as a motivational speaker and is currently seeking full-time employment after being laid off from his previous post.

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ALUMNI ON THE MOVE James Kearn ’17 ME, mechanical engineer, Prop Shaft Supply Inc., Elkhorn, Wis. Silas Kuchta ’17 EE, commissioning engineer, Dynamic Ratings Inc., Sussex, Wis. Austin Lengvenis ’17 EE, application engineer, Yaskawa America Inc., Waukegan, Ill. Michael LeRoy ’17 MIS, business analyst, Cleo, Rockford, Ill. Renee Matysik ’17 NU, pediatric nurse, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, Wis. Seth Murray ’17 AS, data analyst, Medline Industries Inc., Harvard, Ill. Nelisha Patel ’17 NU, registered nurse, Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee Brett Peavler ’17 SE, software engineer, Brady Corporation, Milwaukee

Theresa Rinzel ’17 NU, staff registered nurse, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee

Azucena Lopez ’18 CM, estimator, F.E. Moran, Northbrook, Ill.

Marina Sharp ’17 AE, mechanical engineer, HGA Architects and Engineers, Milwaukee

Achievements

Greg Knight ’11 BSM, has acquired Komppa Machinery Group Inc. The company will be renamed Knight Manufacturing.

Merissa Ogden ’11 NU, received a Master of Science in Medical Informatics from MSOE on Feb. 24, 2018.

Heather Turner Loth ’01 AE/ CM has been named a 2018 Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 winner.

Zhiyuan Yang ’13 ME, received a Master of Science in Engineering from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Brian Urso ’17 EE, technician, Modern TV and Electronics, Madison, Wis.

Kevin McClory ’07 ME, received a Master of Science in Engineering Management from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Jacob Frey ’14 AE, received a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Daniel VonBerg ’17 AE/CM, estimator, Lakeview Construction Inc., Kenosha, Wis.

Andrew Bowser ’10 BE, received an MBA from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Joseph Walters ’17 EE, electrical engineer I, RFA Engineering, Horicon, Wis.

Gregory Mutchler ’10 ME, received a Master of Science in Engineering Management from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Ronny Petschke ’14 ME, received a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of Applied Sciences in Münster, Germany.

Daniel Steiner ’17 EE, project engineer, Ingeteam, Milwaukee Hailey Tyznik ’17 NU, registered nurse, Unity Point Health – UW Health, Madison, Wis.

Steven Weyer ’17 MET, product design/manufacturing engineer, Hy-Brid LiftsCustom Equipment Inc., Richfield, Wis.

Rob Meyers ’98, of Mortenson, showed fellow alumni the progress that’s being made on the new home of the Milwaukee Bucks.

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Jordan Weston ’10 BE, ’15 MSE, received an MBA from MSOE on Feb. 24, 2018.

Scott Schmalz ’14 EET, received a Master of Science in Engineering from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Arizona Play ball! The annual Alumni and Friends Tailgate and Brewers game continues to be a great event featuring a traditional Wisconsin tailgate party and Brewers spring training game in Arizona. Alumni from the past 50 years gathered with President John Walz.

Chelsea Becker ’15 NU, received a Master of Science in Perfusion from MSOE on Feb. 24, 2018. Ryan Schmidt ’15 BE, received a Master of Science in Perfusion from MSOE on Feb. 24, 2018. Nicholas LaRue ’16 BE, received a Master of Science in Perfusion from MSOE on Feb. 24, 2018.

Caitlin Liddiard ’16 BIOE, received an MBA from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Gerardo Rubio ’16 BIOE, received an MBA from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Victoria St. Martin ’16 BIOE, received an MBA from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Alyssa Ann Loepfe ’16 BE, received an MBA from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Carl Saffron ’16 MIS, received an MBA from MSOE on Feb. 24, 2018.

Robert Mawhiney ’16 ME, received an MBA from MSOE on Feb. 24, 2018.

Courtney Samuels ’16 IE, received an MBA from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Hannah Torvick ’16 EE, received the “Distinguished Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Circle K Alumni” award for 2016-17.

Anna O’Donnell ’16 BIOE, received an MBA from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

Michael Skow ’16 BE, received an MBA from MSOE on Nov. 18, 2017.

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ALUMNI ON THE MOVE In Memory Theresa “Terry” Abrams, former Milwaukee County General Hospital School of Nursing faculty member, passed away Nov. 16, 2017. MSOE Regent Emeritus William Edstrom Sr. ’57 ME, passed away Nov. 24, 2017. After years of service to Caterpillar Tractors and AC Spark Plug (a division of GM), Edstrom turned his attention to founding Edstrom Industries Inc. in 1969 in Waterford, Wis.

Bob Denzin, shuttle driver in the MSOE Public Safety Department, passed away Feb. 16, 2018. Denzin was a U.S. Navy veteran and led a successful career with the City of Wauwatosa, Wis., before retiring and becoming a shuttle driver for MSOE in 2010. John W. Schaeffer ’42 ELT Gaylord O. Stuve ’42 WELD Claude Austin ’47 RHACS Joan (Kirchner) Zeiger ’48 NU Joseph Leo ’49 EEE Richard Berger ’51 RTT

Eric Dobke ’88 and his family enjoyed the chili buffet following an afternoon of skating at the Kern Center.

MSOE alumni who attended MSOE as international students got together in Mexico City to visit Hernando “Pico” Cortina ’72 in his hometown. “As a foreign student I was privileged to have experienced the best of two worlds, enduring relationships with both American and other foreign students,” said Cortina. “To this date these friendships remain. After almost 50 years this reunion proved to be extraordinary.” Left to right: Khalil Mehdizadeh ’72, from Teheran, Iran; Jose Arturo Zuluaga ’69, from Bogota, Colombia; and Cortina. Not pictured: Federico Bresani ’70, from Peru, but currently living in Arizona.

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Robert Bergeson ’53 RTT

James Kussow ’59 ME

Ardith Roloff ’54 NU

Thomas Bobick ’61 EEC

John F. Smolic ’55 RTT

Kenneth Stout ’62 CT

Virgil Munson ’56 ACT

Bonnie (Deckow) Jachowicz ’63 NU

Merritt Ploeger ’56 RTS David Pugh ’56 RTT Donald Veloon ’56 RTT Gordon Falk ’57 RFR James Dimick ’57 RFR Thomas Moullette ’57 MF Everett Nass ’57 EEE Donald Hrycay ’58 EEP

Charles Blade ’65 ME Milton Edmonds ’65 EEC Joseph Vignocchi ’74 ABCET John Moldenhauer ’78 EET John Carrara ’83 EE Richard Richardson ’83 EET

Gerald Garrigan ’59 ECT

Steve Belter ’06, ’09 and his family took a break from ice skating during the annual Alumni Family Skating and Raider Hockey event.

Across the Airwaves Long before the days of selfie-sticks and Snapchat, people across the country and even oceans apart were exchanging messages and communicating through radio waves.

“It was really the first form of social media,” said Ben Jacobs, a sophomore electrical engineering major and member of MSOE W9HHX Amateur Radio Club. The club was established in the mid-1920s, and is one of the longest lived at MSOE. It received its license and call letters from the Federal Communications Commission in May of 1949, and was granted a charter by the American Radio Relay League later that same year (MSOE Radio Club members in 1950 are pictured in far right photo).

school and club have evolved over time,” said club president Cameron Wilson, senior electrical engineering major. The term “amateur radio” or “ham radio” as it is often called, is really a catch-all for about 100 different hobbies, Hughes explained; these include everything from building radio equipment to “fox hunts” – contests in which operators try to find a hidden, low power transmitter.

The club recently earned recognition for ranking seventh place in a national contest in which students were challenged to communicate with as many contacts in as many unique locations as possible using a multi-operator single radio. “The goal was to talk to people all over the world,” Jacobs said. All told, students connected with 115 people in 45 different locations—including Canada and the Caribbean. The contest was a first for the group, which consists of about a dozen MSOE students. Advisors and mentors are Dr. Steve Holland, assistant professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department; hobbyist Jack Hughes; Rich Phillips, laboratory technician in the Mechanical Engineering Department; and Professor Emeritus Hans Schroeder ’55. “The club meets weekly and talks about technical issues, and how to improve our station and operating skills,” said Phillips. “We also help those members who do not have amateur radio licenses yet prepare for the test.” Part of the club’s charm for students is its roots in the university’s history. “It’s really interesting to see how the

Amateur Radio Club members, from left: Delwis Aguinaldo, Dr. Steven Holland (advisor), Rich Phillips (advisor), Shavkat Yaparov, Jack Hughes (advisor), Cameron Wilson, Chase Glenn, Ben Jacobs, Hans Schroeder ’55 (advisor).

Club members learn to communicate using voice, Morse code, keyboard to keyboard digital modes and slow scan TV. “I tend to favor the more computer-aided types of digital radio. Not to take anything away from the older methods, but we like to use new technology; it’s the future of the hobby,” Wilson said. The hobby also serves as an educational supplement. “It’s a more laid-back exploration of wireless technology than we get in our classes,” Wilson said. “It can be very enjoyable to use and work on electronics outside of the classroom, which builds on the enthusiasm that made us want to be engineers in the first place.”

From left, Cameron Wilson, Delwis Aguinaldo, advisor Jack Hughes and Ben Jacobs compare digital (on the computer) and hand-held radio technology.

.msoe To learn about MSOE’s radio and broadcasting history, visit the Walter Schroeder Library Archives Digital Collection online. msoe.edu/library DIMENSIONS x SPRING 2018

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ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND

SUMMER IN THE

City July 1 3-15, 201 8 msoe.edu/reunion

Register today for the annual MSOE and MCGHSN reunion! Summer in the City is the perfect opportunity to reminisce with your classmates, reconnect with faculty, explore campus and have fun! We look forward to seeing you and your families in July for three fun-filled days of fabulous festivities, food and friendship. Find a schedule of events and register online at msoe.edu/reunion.