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T.J. SMULL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
SMU LL TALK
BUILDING IMPACT: On campus, in the workforce and in the community
OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY
Smull Talk is produced by the Ohio Northern University Office of Communications and Marketing and published by the T.J. Smull College of Engineering at Ohio Northern University. Editors/Writers: Josh Alkire Sheila Baumgartner Laurie Wurth Pressel
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Design: Nancy Burnett Photography: Trevor Jones Ohio Northern University T.J. Smull College of Engineering 525 S. Main St., Ada, OH 45810 Phone: 419-772-2371 The mission of the T.J. Smull College of Engineering is to engage students through personal relationships and high-impact educational experiences to maximize their success. The college offers nationallyrecognized accredited programs in six majors including civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, engineering education, and mechanical engineering. onu.edu/engineering
Impact. We think about this term a lot in the T.J. Smull College of Engineering. As faculty and staff, we try to meaningfully impact every student, every day, during their time at Ohio Northern University. In my travels around the country, I meet many ONU alumni who are so impactful to their professions and their communities. Finally, our students bring so much energy and enthusiasm to the University during their time on campus and leave a legacy of impact behind as they start new student groups, excel in design competitions, and serve as mentors and role models for current and future Polar Bears. In this edition of the Smull Talk magazine, we consider the ways in which our students, faculty and alumni impact their peers, institutions, companies and communities. We celebrate the formation of a new student group, the Innovators of Ohio Northern (ION), and their transformation of spaces within the Biggs Engineering building and across campus. We celebrate the work of two faculty members in computer science and English who are trying to inspire women and underrepresented minorities to develop an appreciation for and, possibly, an interest in the field of computer science. Finally, we celebrate the work of our alumni to build great value-based companies that impact their communities locally, regionally and nationally. This year marks my 10th as the dean of the T.J. Smull College of Engineering. I arrived in Ada in July 2006 after spending 10 years as an engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. During my time at NASA, I was blessed with tremendous opportunities to impact the field of space science and, together with my JPL colleagues as well as engineers and scientists from around the world, build and operate spacecraft that would fundamentally change our knowledge of the solar system. I certainly felt as though I was having an impact on the world, but that impact was very intangible. Fast forward to today, and the impact has become very tangible for me as I watch our faculty and staff change student lives through the delivery of an outstanding engineering and computer science education. In turn, these students give back to the college and the University in unexpected ways. Finally, our alumni impact the college through their tremendous philanthropy of time, talent and financial support. Impact. It’s all about impact. Please join me as we seek to build the impact of an ONU education together.
Eric Baumgartner, Ph.D. Dean of the T.J. Smull College of Engineering
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CONTENTS
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SPOTTS LECTURE
ONU PRIDE
/14-17
NEW INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSE
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CREATING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION
Uncover the secret to innovation
The Innovators of Ohio Northern are transforming spaces within the engineering building and across campus
/10-13
BUILDING A FAMILY BUSINESS
/20-21
GO BIGGS OR GO HOME
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
Competition brings out the best in our students
Claypool Electric Inc.
Timothy Quellhorst, BSME ’81, and Craig Pierson, BSME ’78
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From Polar Bears to Husky Dogs
Drs. Alexandra Coman and Lisa Robeson use interactive fiction to teach programming concepts
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CREATING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION – ONE SPACE AT A TIME S M U L L TA L K
For several months, Seda explored topics like creativity, entrepreneurship and design thinking while interacting with some of the biggest innovators of our times. “After becoming a University Innovation Fellow, I became inspired to enact change on campus,” she says. Seda researched ONU’s offerings and brainstormed ways to create a culture of innovation on campus. One day, she engaged in a Twitter exchange with Sean Maroni, the CEO of Betaversity, a social sharing network for engineers. He tweeted her a simple flowchart: “environment -> culture -> mindset -> outcomes.” Seda experienced an “ah-ha moment,” and her mission at ONU became clear. “I came up with an idea to recreate the academic spaces we use day in and day out,” she says. “The plan would ultimately change the culture of ONU to include innovation and entrepreneurship by first allowing the students to change the environment.”
Members of ION (Innovators of Ohio Northern) are committed to transforming the campus community through innovation and design. “ION is a haven for students who want to make things better, or for those who want to pursue an idea,” says Alex McMullen, a senior mechanical engineering major from Plain City, Ohio. “ION provides the personnel, support and a network to turn ideas into reality.”
THE BEGINNING ION owes its existence to a passionate senior electrical engineering major from Columbiana, Ala. Alexandra Seda was born with what she calls an “entrepreneurial knack.” Always brimming with ideas, she’s never satisfied with the status quo. Recognizing her potential, Dr. John-David Yoder, chair of the mechanical engineering department, encouraged Seda to represent ONU at the University Innovation Fellows (UIF) program at the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation, or Epicenter for short.
Seda teamed up with Adam Berry, a junior mechanical engineering major from Brunswick, Ohio. Berry had been having conversations with Baumgartner about the lack of collaborative space in the engineering building. Seda and Berry rounded up more students who shared their passion for change – and ION was born.
PROJECT 1 – DESIGN STUDIO ION team members decided that their first project should be high-profile and high-impact. The study lounge, also known as the First-Year Design Studio, fit the bill. The only collaborative space available for students in the engineering building, it was unappealing and underutilized. “It wasn’t in the greatest shape, and it did not exemplify a great learning environment,” says McMullen. After splitting into small groups, the students spent time learning about and implementing the design-thinking process. This process involves empathizing and learning about end-user needs, defining the scope of the project, brainstorming ideas, setting up prototypes and testing. Each team came up with a design idea that they presented to Baumgartner. The final design incorporated elements from each
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Northern engineering students are athletes, musicians, fraternity and sorority members, project leaders, researchers, volunteers, and more, thanks to the abundant extracurricular opportunities on campus. And now, a new student organization is adding another moniker to the list: change agent.
Seda approached Dr. Bryan Boulanger, associate professor of civil engineering, with a 30-second pitch of her idea. He loved it, and so did Dr. Eric Baumgartner, dean of the College of Engineering. “We had been looking for nontraditional ways to engage students,” says Boulanger. “We were excited about the possibility of students becoming partners with the University to improve the learning environment.”
The students who participated in the project walked away with new insights on teamwork, leadership and creativity. “I learned communication skills,” says Berry. “I learned how to be innovative, how to get people motivated and how to utilize resources to their fullest.”
P R O J E C T 2 : H A L LW A Y S
team’s design. The College of Engineering contributed funding for the project. The project leaders purchased supplies and set the date for the renovation.
The bland hallways in the engineering building became the next target for ION. Group members wanted to differentiate these common areas and make them more student-centered. However, they encountered several obstacles and even some opposition. “There was a breakdown in communication, and some members felt let down because it didn’t turn out as planned,” says Boulanger.
“The weekend resembled those home renovation programs on TV,” says Boulanger. “We spent an intense few days working on this project, waking up in the wee hours of the morning and working late into the night. Everyone was emotionally invested in the project.” The team spruced up the room by painting it with school colors and covering the walls with whiteboards and whiteboard paint for brainstorming. They built a loft alcove and filled it with comfortable couches and chairs for relaxation and collaboration. They set up a printing station with cubbies for supplies. They built a computer counter bar against one wall to free up space, while adding moveable chairs and tables in the center of the room. Cheyenne Raker, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Columbus, Ohio, contributed the finishing touch with a hand-painted picture that pulls the room together. “We turned the room into a great place to study and just a great place to be,” says McMullen. “The Design Studio became very crowded after the renovations, and we like to think that is because it was more usable.” •
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The entire renovation project, from initial discussions to final build, was accomplished in just two weeks. “In a short amount of time, ION members took a marginally used space and turned it into the best space in the engineering building,” says Boulanger.
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During Easter weekend 2015, approximately 20 engineering students transformed the study lounge into a functional space. Leading up to experience, ION students met regularly to discuss human-centered design approaches that led to the renovation of the “Design Studio” as a spot for engineering students to prepare, collaborate and relax.
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“When you empower students, this is part of the process. You have to let them learn from their mistakes.” – DR. BRYAN BOULANGER
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“When you empower students, this is part of the process. You have to let them learn from their mistakes.”
“Study Quest was different than our other projects because it focused on generating ideas more so than a finished project,” says Seda.
ION did improve the hallways, just not to the extent that they had initially envisioned. The group painted trim and doorways, organized school photos, simplified cluttered walls and created a community whiteboard.
ION members returned to campus early from winter break and spent an intensive two days, Jan. 8-9, 2016, engaged in Study Quest. They spent Friday evening considering product, communication and environment as it related to the library’s project. On Saturday, they prototyped ideas using cardboard, post-its, library furniture and any other materials they could find. They also “butt tested” new furniture and discussed aesthetics vs. comfort in central areas where students hang out, study and collaborate.
PROJECT 3 : ST UDY QUE ST ION’s third project expanded the group’s scope outside of the engineering building. The group provided creative input for a firstfloor renovation project planned for the Heterick Memorial Library.
“ION brought a wealth of knowledge about design and learning spaces,” says Kathleen Baril, director of the Heterick Memorial Library. “ION members are incredibly motivated, creative and enthusiastic. Their interest in design and the design process was contagious. I enjoyed collaborating with them and learned to think about our first-floor design process in a new way.”
THE FUTURE ION is poised to have a greater impact on the campus in the future, according to Boulanger. Team members are working on a mission statement and exploring the option of making ION an official campus organization. Group members like the idea of structure but don’t want to lose sight of what makes ION unique – it’s ability to be nimble. They also want to expand the membership to include students outside of the College of Engineering. ION is an “immersive learning experience” that appeals to students who want to leave their mark on campus, says Boulanger. “Some of our most creative thinkers gravitate toward ION,” he explains. “It provides them with an anchor to ONU and an opportunity to grow.”
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“The students involved in ION are bright, talented and passionate individuals who encourage each other to think past the norm,” – ALEX MCMULLEN
“The students involved in ION are bright, talented and passionate individuals who encourage each other to think past the norm,” says McMullen. “I know if I came to one of them in the future with a crazy idea, they would tell me to go for it and ask if I needed some help. You do not find that kind of people every day.” ◆
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According to Baril, she took away ideas from Study Quest that she plans to implement in the renovation project. The ideas relate to active space for students to take short breaks, and to creating a casual and cozy environment via furniture and layout improvements. “I look forward to working with ION to design additional library spaces, and I encourage other campus departments to utilize this group to reimagine and reinvigorate their learning spaces,” she says.
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THE COLOR OF PRIDE
Back row: Greg Phillips, BSME ’92, Steve Hunt, BSME ’09, Edward Ducker, BSEE ’81, Jeff Spoon, BSEE ’88, Ben Hohenbrink, BS ’02, Travis Moore, BSEE ’01, Dean Hempfling, BSCE ’99, H. Jessey Cox, BSME ’01, Brian Gerber, BSECE ’00, Josh Hutchison, BSME ’15, J. Daniel Groman, BSME ’82 Front row: Joe Burnett, a junior mechanical engineering major from Elida, Ohio, John Hellemn, BSECE ’99, Aubrie Stechschulte, BSME ’12, Brandon Helms, BSEE ’11, R. Joseph Cox, BSME ’01, John Mackey, BSCE ’08, Adam Oberhaus, a senior mechanical engineering major from Napoleon, Ohio, Taylor Cox, a junior mechanical engineering major from Lima, Ohio
Husky Energy’s Lima Refinery processes light sweet crude oil and produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, residual fuels and petrochemical feedstocks. The refinery produces approximately two billion gallons of refined petroleum products annually, including approximately 25 percent of the gasoline consumed in the state of Ohio. A good portion of this work is handled by Ohio Northern University engineering alumni, many of whom started at Husky as co-op students. One of the refinery’s several substations is of particular interest to all of those Northern alumni: Husky Substation 1A. You see, Substation 1A is painted bright orange. And here’s the story of how that came to be. Edward Ducker, BSEE ’81 (senior staff electrical engineer): It's kind of a tradition I started several years ago. As we were building these substations, we gave them a different color scheme to make them unique.
Brian Gerber, BSECE ’00 (senior electrical reliability engineer): It started out with Ohio State, but the engineering manager’s a University of Michigan alum, so he wanted to have a Michigan sub. Since then, it’s sort of morphed into other schools as well. Ducker: We have a Nebraska red and white one on the end, and a blue one, Penn State, on the other end. John Hellemn, BSECE ’99 (staff instrument electrical project engineer): I worked for Ed as a contractor for a number of years before I joined Husky as full-time employee. I got to watch these sub-stations going up and Ed’s tradition of painting them in Big 10 colors. I always said it would be cool if we actually had one that was painted ONU colors.
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Aubrie Stechschulte, BSME ’12 (rotating equipment engineer): I did my co-op here as an ONU student, and just about everybody in my department for a short time was an ONU graduate. It’s just kind of fun to look around and say, “He’s from my school, she’s from my school, they’re from my school.” Ducker: It’s surprising how many ONU graduates we have here. I think there’s about 20 ONU alumni working in the refinery, which to me is pretty unique. Especially from a small school like Ohio Northern. Taylor Cox, a junior mechanical engineering major from Lima, Ohio (rotating equipment reliability co-op): I just came here in May, but seeing this being put up as soon as I get here is pretty cool. ONU plays a pretty big part in sending students to Husky so that they can co-op in something that they want to do. So it’s pretty exciting.
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"We all went from Polar Bears to Husky Dogs!" - EDWARD DUCKER
Gerber: We’re building all these new substations, and the rules say that we have to paint them, so we’re painting them anything we want, and it’s going to be the same cost whether you paint it ONU orange and black, or whether you paint it another color. Hellemn: This was actually the first major substation project I got to do as a project manager, so it was my opportunity to pick the colors, and I wanted to do ONU colors. Ducker: When John chose Ohio Northern’s colors, I said, “Well it’ll be unique and obviously bright.”
Steve Hunt, BSME ’09 (senior rotating equipment engineer): It brings everybody together, and because they’re doing it for other universities, too, it’s a nice way to show where everyone comes from and the backgrounds they have. Ducker: I think if you look at ONU’s engineering students, they have a certain pride about themselves. They want to do a good job, and they take that onto the job site. I think that’s why a lot of Ohio Northern engineers get hired here when the opportunity opens up, because ONU has the reputation for a strong skillset and a knowledge base. Gerber: I think it’s great because there are a lot of ONU students that have graduated that are here. A lot of our electrical department is made up of ONU graduates, and with this orange substation, we can finally put our mark on it. Stechschulte: It’s just cool to look around and see all the alumni. I can say, “Oh yeah, half the engineers in my department are from ONU.” ◆
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Hellemn: People think it’s neat. It gives people a strong feeling of their alma mater and the alumni that work here in the refinery. The substation really stands out, too; it’s right here by the west gate, and it’s big and bold and in your face.
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BUILDING A FAMILY BUSINESS CLAYPOOL ELECTRIC INC. IS A THIRDGENERATION FAMILY BUSINESS BUILT WITH HARD WORK AND DILIGENCE. Charles “Chris” Claypool, BSEE ’72, started working with his dad in 1962 when he was 13 years old. On weekends and in the summers, he learned basic residential electric work, wiring new homes and farm buildings. He discovered he loved tackling electrical projects and solving problems, and he enjoyed the teamwork and good-natured bantering between the contractors. He had found his calling.
Today, Claypool still thrives on challenge and workplace camaraderie. Only now, he’s no longer the fresh-faced kid working alongside his dad; he’s the leader of Claypool Electric Inc., one of the largest and most-reputable electrical and data-communications specialty contractors in Central and Southeast Ohio. Over the past four decades,
Claypool has grown the fledgling company that his father founded in 1954 into a firm that employs more than 200 skilled craftspersons, along with engineers, designers, project managers and administrative staff who design, build and maintain electrical systems for manufacturing facilities, commercial establishments, educational facilities and universities. Looking
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back, Claypool wouldn’t change one step of his career path. “I cannot remember ever wanting to do anything other than work in the electrical construction industry,” he says. Claypool’s story starts with his father, James Robert “Bob” Claypool, a member of the resilient Greatest Generation. Bob served in the Navy during World War II, training to be
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From the left is Matthew Claypool (VP of Operations), Chris Claypool (CEO), Christina Claypool Deem (VP of Estimating and Design) and Greg Davis (President).
an electrician. After the war, he returned to his hometown of Lancaster, Ohio, and found a job selling dairy equipment. Many of his customers, however, didn’t have sufficient electrical capacity on their farms to power the new equipment. Seeing an unmet need, Bob decided to start an electrical contracting business. Working closely with his dad for many years, Claypool learned
As a teen, Claypool knew he wanted to take over the family business someday. But he also longed to grow his knowledge of technology and electrical systems. Like many youngsters who came of age in the 1960s, he was fascinated by the “space race.” In 1961, he watched in awe when President Kennedy announced to the world that the U.S. would be the first to send a man to the moon. “It sparked my imagination,” he says. “Anything associated with NASA was golden in those days. I was actually a college student at ONU in 1969 when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. That was a big day.”
No one in Claypool’s family had attended college; he became the first. He and his parents agreed upon Ohio Northern because they liked the smalltown campus setting and friendly professors. He thrived under the tutelage of instructors like professor Ernests A b e l e w h o, w i t h a h e av y German accent, taught physics and cracked jokes. “We not only learned a lot in his class, but he kept things interesting with his wacky demonstrations and humorous comments,” says Claypool. “ONU still stands out as a teaching school where students come first.”
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Claypool also feels gratitude toward Dean Lawrence Archer, BSCE ’4 7, ACIT
’82, H of F ’88, who insisted that all ONU engineering students take the first part of the PE (Professional Engineer) exam before graduation. Taking the second part of the exam a few years later was relatively easy, says Claypool. “The PE designation has been something that’s been very valuable in my career,” he adds. The same day that Claypool graduated from ONU in 1972, he received his draft notice in the mail. He opted to serve in the Ohio Air National Guard, and after a few months of military training, he returned to Lancaster to join his father’s company as an electrical engineer. Fro m t h e st a r t , Cl ay p o o l harnessed his engineering expertise and his passion for technology to transform and
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about hard work and diligence. He says his dad taught him to “treat customers fairly and never give up.” Bob retired in 1990 and passed away in 2011.
12 grow Claypool Electric Inc. He introduced computers and computer estimating to the firm – becoming one of the first electrical contractors in Ohio to use this new technology. He knew that using computers for construction estimating was the future, but unfortunately, the software programmers didn’t know much about the construction industry. In 1980, Claypool teamed up with a small software company in California that was attempting to develop an electrical estim a t i n g p r o g ra m , a n d h e bought his first computer – a Tandy Model II. For the next
10 years, Claypool and his staff helped the software developer refine and perfect the program. Claypool also expanded Claypool Electric into new markets, including public works, manufacturing and commercial work, gradually phasing out the residential business. And in recent years he established a technology division to address the demand for voice, data, structured cabling and security. From 1974 to the present, Claypool has steered his company through rapid advancements in technology. When he first
started, for example, a new public-school project might involve installing a PA system and a phone for the principal’s office and kitchen. Today, educational facilities have complex wireless network systems, advanced security systems, LED lighting control systems, whiteboards, sound reinforcement, in-building public safety communication systems, and more. “ Technology is ever-evolving,” he says. “And you keep pace by continuing to learn.” Claypool possesses many excellent leadership traits, but
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his finest may be his congeniality. He enjoys interacting with people and sharing advice based on his 40-plus years in the industry. He often can be found fielding questions from his employees, teaching students in his apprentice school, or exchanging ideas on the plant floor with engineers from ConAgra, Anchor Hocking and Tokyo Seat – three of Claypool Electric’s largest customers. Claypool also was recently appointed to serve on the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. In all his interactions, Clay-
When asked about his proudest achievement, Claypool doesn’t point to the success of his company, but to the fruits of his relationships. “The relationships I’ve built with my spouse, my family, and all the talented people I’ve had the privilege to work with and learn from over the years,” he says. Claypool and his wife, Barbara, have been happily married for 43 years. They live in the beau-
tiful rolling countryside near Lancaster, surrounded by fields of soybeans, corn and wheat. They are active in their church and community. The Claypools are proud parents of three adult children. Martha, BSBA ’08, is an ONU graduate who works for Kroger Corporation in Cincinnati. Mathew, vice president of operations, and Christina, electrical engineer and design supervisor, both work at Claypool Electric. Claypool has no plans to retire soon, but when he does, he knows his legacy will continue. “My children, and many other young people, are investing their careers at this company, and that is gratifying to watch,” he says. ◆
“My goal is to see Claypool Electric
In October 2015, the University honored their steadfast devotion by inducting the Claypools as Lifetime Members of the Henry Solomon Lehr Society. Established in 1974, the Lehr Society is the leading recognition society for donors who demonstrate exceptional generosity to ONU. Lifetime Members of the Lehr Society have donated more than $100,000 in gifts to ONU over their lifetimes. Through the generosity of Lehr Society members, ONU can take advantage of emerging opportunities, address the University’s greatest needs and provide programming that sets ONU apart from its peers. Without the scholarship funding these patrons provide, some of ONU’s finest students might not be able to attend the University. Without the capital improvements their generosity supports, ONU’s campus would not have the state-of-the-art facilities it has today. Simply put, the University could not function without the support of this very special group of individuals.
continue to be a successful, growing and financially secure endeavor with third-generation management.”
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To make a gift of your own to the College of Engineering, please contact Shannon Spencer, vice president for university advancement, at s-spencer@ onu.edu or 419-772-2036.
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pool follows two tenants: He never burns bridges, and he always follows the Golden Rule, treating others the way he would want to be treated. Fo r h i s e m p l o y e e s , t h i s means giving them autonomy, advancement opportunities and a share of the profits. For his customers, this means being committed to honesty a n d i n t e g r i t y. C l a y p o o l ’s stellar reputation may explain why he has many employees and customers who’ve been with the company for 20, 30 and even 40 years. In fact, he recently celebrated the 42nd employment anniversary of the first employee he ever hired.
Through the years, Charles “Chris” Claypool, BSEE ’72, and his wife, Barbara, have been dedicated supporters of the T.J. Smull College of Engineering and Ohio Northern University. Chris participated in a campaign feasibility study for the College of Engineering, and he’s worked with construction companies that have completed projects at ONU. The Claypools have been steady annual givers since 1987, and the couple recently made a significant commitment to engineering capital projects.
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COMPUTER PROGRAMMING DEMANDS LOGIC, WHILE CREATIVE WRITING DEMANDS IMAGINATION MESH THE TWO TOGETHER AND WHAT DO YOU GET? AN INNOVATIVE COURSE THAT CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO USE LEFT- AND RIGHT-BRAIN THINKING.
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Tackling a huge challenge Computer science is a hot field with plentiful and high-salaried jobs. But the industry faces a huge challenge – a lack of diversity in its workforce. Men dominate the field. The slang term “brogrammer” even emerged in recent years to describe the industry’s macho culture and the typical computer programmer – a 20-something white male. “It’s a mystery to me why more women aren’t interested in computer science,” says Dr. Alexandra Coman, assistant professor of computer science. “I think many people don’t realize how strong the creative aspects of the programming process can be.” Each year, colleges and universities award thousands of undergraduate computer science degrees – but women receive
only about 18 percent of them, according to the National Science Foundation. And surprisingly, this represents a declining statistic. While other STEM fields have gained ground in the number of female graduates, the computer science field has slowly lost ground over the past two decades. More women need to seize the opportunity to share their creativity and intellect in this field, says Dr. Eric Baumgartner, dean of the T.J. Smull College of Engineering. “When tackling difficult technical problems, diversity of thought and action are required to solve these problems,” he explains. Many nonprofit and educational institutions across the country – including the College of Engineering – are searching for ways to increase diversity in the computer science field. “We have a longstanding commitment to educating women, including offering a summer camp for middle-school girls called Camp GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math and Science),” says Baumgartner. “This new course in interactive fiction is consistent with the college’s desire to move the needle when it comes to the number of women in the field of computer science.” When Coman came to ONU in 2014, she brought an idea for a new course that would appeal to women. Instructors have often used computer games to interest students in programming. Most popular
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The extra disciplinary course Global Storytelling through Interactive Fiction is being offered for the first time this spring as part of the University’s general education program. The College of Engineering designed the course in collaboration with ONU’s Department of English. On a micro level, the course teaches students from all majors about writing fiction and computer programming through the creation of a computer game. On a macro level, the course exposes a diverse group of students to a field they’ve probably never considered – computer science.
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course is full of students from all four of ONU’s undergraduate colleges, representing a broad range of majors and programs. Everything from accounting to theatre, from biochemistry to pharmacy, is represented in this class.
games, however, are geared toward teenaged boys with violence and action-adventure. Coman proposed teaching interactive fiction – a narrative, storytelling genre – to showcase the creative side of programming. With encouragement from Baumgartner, Coman submitted a grant proposal to the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) through the TIDES (Teaching to Increase Diversity and Equity in STEM) program, which is funded by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. Her proposal received an Honorable Mention designation, and funds totaling $34,278 were awarded to ONU. Only 10 percent of all the submitted proposals received awards. The College of Engineering then received additional funding in support of this effort from the Ohio Space Grant Consortium in the amount of $8,074. This funding enabled Coman to hire several teaching assistants and to team up with Dr. Lisa Robeson, professor of English and chair of ONU’s Department of English, to bring the course to life. ONU is offering two sections of the course this spring, and both are filled to capacity. “The course is about 50 percent female students and 50 percent male,” says Robeson. “So already we see a marked improvement in the demographics.” And it’s not just for writing and programming majors, either. The
The language of computers and people Interactive fiction is a story, a computer program and a computer game all rolled into one unit. People have been creating interactive fiction since the 1970s, so it’s not new. Yet unlike many computer games today, interactive fiction is text-based with no graphics. To illustrate, gaming with interactive fiction is more akin to reading a novel than playing Call of Duty. During the course, each student calls upon their writing skills, imagination and the software program Inform 7 to create an original work of interactive fiction. Inform 7 uses a programming language that is closer to natural language, which is ideal for students who have little to no experience with programming. “Students can get a taste of programming without committing to something as hard as C++ or Java,” says Georgia Snelling, a junior electrical engineering major from Findlay, Ohio, who serves as a teaching assistant. Inform 7 allows students to build their story from the bottom up instead of the top down. “They will be able to create a simple, fully functioning game early in the course,” says Coman. “They can start with a basic room and gradually build a world around it, focusing on their writing and story development skills as well as on the programming process.” The story – whether it’s a mystery, fantasy or other genre – is central to any work of interactive fiction. Just like traditional fiction,
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interactive fiction has a plot, characters and setting. Yet it differs from traditional fiction because it also includes interactive dialogue, story puzzles or paths, and many “rooms” that are vividly described. “Basically, it’s a simulated world built out of words,” says Coman. Most students taking the course have never written fiction, and others have zero experience with coding. But that’s not a problem, says Coman. The course is designed to adapt to all levels of skill, knowledge and interest. Students can dip their toes in the water, or delve deeper into either subject. “Gamers and non-gamers, proficient writers and struggling writers, programmers and nonprogrammers all have a place in the class,” she explains. “We bring everyone together and find value in the diversity.”
challenges in advance and find ways to overcome them. So they enlisted the help of two English students to develop course materials and provide input on the ease-of-use of Inform 7. Likewise, they called on four students from the College of Engineering to learn the ins and outs of interactive fiction. Three of these students also are serving as teaching assistants during the course. “This was a different experience for me because I don’t really play computer games,” says Kasy Long, junior creative writing major from Terre Haute, Ind., who helped with course development. “Programming the software to follow my commands sometimes did not work, and that was frustrating. But the more I learned, the more fun and enjoyable it became. I was actually able to successfully write a scene.”
The creative-writing portion of the course falls into Robeson’s realm. She has spent months exploring interactive fiction and “It’s not often developing teaching strategies for this genre. “I’ve taught for close to 30 years, but I’ve never taught a that creative course quite like this,” she admits. “I’m a little nervous writing and but also excited.”
The three teaching assistants from the College of Engineering have a hands-on role. Throughout the course, they help individual students troubleshoot problems and master the Inform 7 software. They are graphics,” she explains. “You create rooms, and you fill excited to be a part of something new and innovative. – SHAWN DOOLEY them with things.” “This is definitely a cool course,” says Dooley. “It’s not often that creative writing and programming mix in Using a writer’s notebook, students learn to become observant and the academic environment, but they are both very important in stretch their imaginations. “We are surrounded by stories,” says the real world.” Robeson. “But you have to know where to look. Students discover that they can pluck ideas from everyday life and incorporate them A step in the right direction into their work.” Global Storytelling through Interactive Fiction is only one course.
Coman teaches the programming segment of the course. She emphasizes the similarities between writing fiction and computer programming. “They both involve using a language creatively and with an intended audience in mind,” she says. “Programming languages are unambiguous and more rigid than natural languages, but a stronger focus on logic does not preclude creativity.”
Students weigh in From the beginning, Coman and Robeson knew they needed student input to make the course successful. They wanted to identify any
But it’s a course that is breaking boundaries and challenging misconceptions – and that’s a small step in the right direction, agree Coman and Robeson.
“The spark that ignites a beginner’s interest in programming often comes from clicking the ‘Run’ button and experiencing code come to life into an interactive program for the first time,” says Coman. “Our course aspires to be such a spark. If students experience it this way, we’ll have the opportunity to open their minds to new fields and open our fields to new minds.” ◆
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programming mix Through readings, handouts and lectures, Robeson in the academic teaches students to identify the main elements of a environment, but story. She emphasizes the importance of descriptive they are both very language and shows students how to use words to create pictures in people’s heads. “Interactive fiction important in the really depends on description because there are no real world.”
“The most challenging part of the project for me was writing my own games,” says Shawn Dooley, junior computer science major from Antwerp, Ohio. “I am not particularly inclined to creative writing, and the demand for that made this interesting. Being placed slightly out of my element was also a very fun part of writing interactive fiction.”
HONORING DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI The T.J. Smull College of Engineering at Ohio Northern University hosted its Distinguished Alumni Awards program on Feb. 22, 2016.
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CRAIG O. PIERSON Craig Pierson, BSME ’78, is president of Marathon Pipe Line LLC. His distinguished career in the petroleum industry spans more than 35 years. The keys to his success, says Pierson, are hard work, commitment and relishing each day. “I’ve worked pretty darn hard, but I enjoy what I do,” he says. “Over the long haul, you have to enjoy your work to invest yourself heavily in it.” Pierson joined Marathon Pipe Line Company in June 1978 as a pipeline engineer in Martinsville, Ill. He next moved to Findlay, Ohio, as an internal control auditor for Marathon Oil Company and then back to a number of pipeline engineering and pipeline operations positions in Wyoming, Alaska, West Texas and Houston. In 1989, he rejoined Marathon Oil Company to help develop a gas pipeline project in Syria. In 1991, Pierson was named manager of Engineering and Construction Services with responsibilities in the retail marketing sector. He then held operations manager positions for Marathon Pipe Line in Casper, Wyo., and Martinsville, Ill., until 1997, when he joined Marathon Oil Company on its upstream development project on Sakhalin Island, Russia. In 1999, Pierson was named facilities design manager for the Phase 2 development of the Sakhalin Project, which included the offshore and onshore production facilities and pipeline, and the oil export terminal. In 2000, Pierson returned to operations manager positions for Marathon Ashland Pipe Line LLC, with responsibilities over Gulf Coast operations. In January 2005, he was named vice president of operations for Marathon Pipe Line LLC. In May 2011, Pierson assumed his current position as president of Marathon Pipe Line LLC. He also is vice president, operations, of MPLX GP LLC. Pierson serves on the board of the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, and he is an owner representative for Marathon’s interest in Capline; both entities are significant parts of the nation’s crude oil infrastructure. As a leader in his company and industry, Pierson strives to be forward thinking. “I enjoy spending time making sure our organization is doing the things today that enable tomorrow’s success,” he says.
“Ours needs to be a high-reliability organization with a very strong safety culture. It’s easy to get caught up in today’s problems and not focus on the harder, longer-term stuff. I particularly look forward to getting the thoughts and opinions of less-senior employees and having folks disagree with what I might think. It’s a sign of organizational health when people feel they can disagree with the boss.” In 2007, Pierson was appointed as industry representative on the Liquids Pipeline Safety Advisory Committee, which advises the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on regulatory matters. He also serves on the Pipeline Safety Excellence Steering Committee, which helps to improve the industry’s safety performance. Pierson also is the current chair of the American Petroleum Institute’s Pipeline Subcommittee. Pierson graduated from Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1978. He credits ONU with teaching him the academic discipline to solve tough technical problems. According to Pierson, he doesn’t feel “distinguished.” But nevertheless, he is honored that the College of Engineering is recognizing him with its highest award. “For me, it’s a great opportunity to thank Dr. Bruce Burton not only for the guidance he gave me many years ago, but also for his many years of leadership as the college’s dean.” TIMOTHY S. QUELLHORST Timothy Quellhorst, BSME ’81, is senior vice president of Crown Equipment Corporation in New Bremen, Ohio. He credits hard work and the support of his family and co-workers for his achievements. Quellhorst said his wife provided a stable home life that enabled him to work late, travel and pursue his career. His parents, who raised him on a farm, taught him about hard work and perseverance. And his co-workers helped him every step of his journey. “Throughout the 35 years I’ve been an engineer, I’ve been very fortunate to be surrounded by people much more talented than I am,” he says.
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2016 SPOTTS LECTURE UNCOVERS THE SECRET TO INNOVATION
Attendees of the 2016 Spotts Lecture on Feb. 22 learned about “Creative Collisions” from two distinguished innovators. John Nottingham and Jason Ertel, BSME ’99, from Nottingham Spirk (NS), a business innovation firm with nearly 1,000 patents, shared their firm’s secret for innovation – Vertical Integration™. “Everyone’s searching for the secret to innovation, but many never find it,” says Ertel. “Nottingham Spirk’s Vertical Innovation™ is a process that has repeatedly created connections to seemingly unrelated ideas that has resulted in more than $50 billion in new revenue for our clients over the past 44 years.” Nottingham is the co-founder and co-president of Nottingham Spirk. The NS innovation team has co-created such awardwinning innovations as SpinBrush, Swiffer SweeperVac, Scott’s Snap Spreader System, dozens of Dirt Devil/Hoover products, and Sherwin-Williams Twist and Pour. Nottingham graduated from The Cleveland Institute of Art with a degree in industrial design in 1972. Ertel is the engineering program director at NS. His deep knowledge of medical devices and his corporate experience help guide clients through the challenge of the innovation process, from identifying user requirements, concepting, feasibility, engineering and manufacturability to strategic planning and developing new revenue streams. He is named as inventor on seven medical device patents and another 23 utility and design patents in the consumer product industry. “Innovation is not just getting together in groups of six to eight people brainstorming and trying to come up with a clever idea,” stresses Ertel. “It is messy, difficult, frustrating, challenging, timeconsuming, sacrificial, rewarding, exciting and a lot of fun. True innovation means you leave work thinking about it, struggling with it, having the patience, determination and fortitude to see it through. You also can’t do it alone.” Ertel felt honored and humbled to be invited back to his alma mater as a Spotts lecturer. “I am proud to call ONU my alma mater and to have the opportunity to speak to students, faculty and other professionals,” he says. “Working for NS is a dream come true, and I believe what NS does is very unique and worth sharing.” ◆
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As senior vice president at Crown, Quellhorst oversees research and development, current product support and technology business development activities for all Crown products, both in the United States and overseas. The engineering and design offices in New Bremen, Ohio, and Munich, Germany, report to him, and he oversees the research being conducted at Crown’s research center in Auckland, New Zealand. His responsibilities require extensive international travel, and he has visited customers, suppliers and other business-related operations in 13 different countries. Quellhorst first joined Crown in 1988 as a mechanical engineer and, since then, has held a number of positions, including vice president of engineering, director of engineering and engineering manager. During his 27-year career with Crown, he’s either been a contributing member of the new product design team or overseen the engineering effort for every product that Crown manufactures today. “Taking an idea, watching a team of people nurture that idea into a product with potential competitive advantage, and then seeing customers actually buy your product instead of a competitor’s is an incredibly satisfying thing,” he said. Looking forward, Quellhorst sees a number of challenges, including the need to incorporate more technology-enabled features and services into Crown products and to lead the effort to establish design thinking and other innovation-enabling practices into the broader product-development enterprise. “Today, my work is more about enabling the organization with the resources and vision needed to achieve success on a broader scale,” he said. “Celebrating the achievements of others is now the big reason for finding personal satisfaction in my work.” Quellhorst has been awarded several U.S. patents, including ones for “Isolated Floor for Material Handling Vehicle,” “Materials Handling Vehicle,” “Lift Truck with Noise Attenuated Hydraulic Circuit,” and “Load Trays for Personnel Carrying Vehicles.” He serves on the Industrial Truck Association Executive Committee, the national trade association for forklift vehicles; the board of directors of the Joint Township District Hospital Foundation in St. Marys, Ohio; and the board of directors of the E4 Project, a group that serves impoverished communities in Gabon, Africa. He also is a past New Bremen, Ohio, school board member. He graduated from Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1981. ONU equipped him with the knowledge and skills to be able to contribute the first day on his first job, he says. Quellhorst feels tremendously honored and privileged to be recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award. “I thank God for giving me the health and opportunities that I’ve enjoyed thus far, and I can only pray there is more to come,” he says. ◆
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GO BIGG S M U L L TA L K
APRIL 7-9
Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge Competitions ASCE North Central Student Conference Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.
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S OR GO HOME
THERE’S MORE TO THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING THAN JUST CLASSROOMS. Our students participate in intramurals, learn by doing, hang out and hone their skills through academic competitions against schools from all over the globe. They explore their passions on stage and on the court – in fact, five members of ONU’s nationally ranked women’s basketball team are mechanical engineering majors. Our students prove that success is easy to find when you’ve got so many places to look.
APRIL 8-9
Micro Sumo Robot Competitions IEEE Student Activities Conference (SAC) Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
APRIL 14-17
Baja SAE Tennessee Tech Cookeville, Tenn.
APRIL 15
Robotic Football Competition University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.
MAY 19-22
Baja SAE California Gorman, Calif.
JUNE 9-12
Baja SAE Rochester Rochester, N.Y.
SPRING 2016
DAVID JOHNSTONE Assistant professor of civil engineering
NEW FACULTY 2015-16
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TODD FRANCE Assistant professor of engineering education At ONU, Todd France teaches Introduction to Engineering 1 and 2 and Engineering Education 1 and 2. He also is the academic advisor for all engineering education students and the faculty advisor for the student chapter of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Before coming to Northern, France was a professional athlete, served in the United States Peace Corps in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and worked at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. He earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo, his Master of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and his Ph.D. in architectural engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. As a Ph.D. candidate, he served as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) teacher in the St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont, Colo. J. BLAKE HYLTON Assistant professor of mechanical engineering J. Blake Hylton teaches Introduction to Engineering 1 and 2, Statics, Dynamics, and Computer Applications. He also is the co-academic advisor for freshman mechanical engineering students and the course coordinator for the Introduction to Engineering course sequence. Hylton previously served as an instructor in the First Year Engineering Program at Purdue University. His research interests involve the standards-based assessment of first-year engineering and impact characterization on helicopter rotor blades. Hylton earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Tulsa and his Master of Science and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.
David Johnstone teaches Statics, Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Water Resources and Hydraulics at Ohio Northern. He also is the co-faculty advisor for the estimating team, which competes in the annual Ohio Contractors Association Estimating Competition. Before coming to ONU, he served as assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Virginia Military Institute. His research experience includes investigating the formation potential of halogenated byproducts in drinking-water distribution systems, fire-flow analysis to assess system pressures and hydrant-flow using data loggers, and analyzing flows and water-quality parameters throughout distribution systems using WaterCAD. Johnstone earned his Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Science in civil engineering from Youngstown State University and his Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Akron. DEAN KALES KEEN industry liaison As the KEEN (Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network) industry liaison, Dean Kales assists faculty members in the College of Engineering in identifying corporations capable of supporting engineering internships that assist students in developing the entrepreneurial mindset. Previously, Kales spent 30 years with the Ford Motor Company in Lima, Ohio, as a controls engineer and then senior manufacturing engineer. At Ford, he fulfilled the responsibilities of a project manager, coordinating the design and installation of complex engine assembly lines. He also was responsible for all electrical and pneumatic control systems for the 3.5 liter V6 engine assembly line. Kales earned his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Detroit. KATELYN MEFFERD KEEN administrative coordinator At Ohio Northern, Katelyn Mefferd develops and implements the KEEN social media plan for the University, coordinates KEEN Innovation Challenges, serves as a liaison between KEEN network schools and Ohio Northern, works alongside ONU’s KEEN industry liaison to develop recruitment materials for industry partners, and works with ONU and KEEN marketing directors to develop KEEN publicity materials for ONU. She previously served as director of teen leadership development at the Lima Family YMCA in Lima, Ohio. Mefferd earned her Bachelor of Science in journalism from Ohio University.
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2015-16 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING ADVISORY BOARD BOARD CHAIR Kevin Freese BSME ’84, ACIT ’15 President and CEO Affordable Living Spaces Ltd. Cleveland, Ohio BOARD VICE CHAIR Deborah (Green) Houdeshell, P.E. BSCE ’87 Senior Business Project Manager MS Consultants Inc. Akron, Ohio
Michael Chow, P.E., LEED AP BSEE ’92, ACIT ’12 Owner/Principal Metro CD Engineering LLC Dublin, Ohio Jeff Garlock BS ’85 Associate Chief Engineer Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. Marysville, Ohio Lori (Burgett) Gillett BSCE ’96 Business Development Manager Kokosing Construction Company Westerville, Ohio Bruce Hollinger BSCE ’75 President/Co-Founder WiSys LLC Flowery Branch, Ga. Frederick “Fritz” Kucklick BSME ’69, ACIT ’09 Engineering, Mgmt & Lit. Consultant IMT Consulting Inc. Cassopolis, Mich.
Susan (Di Nezza) Lettrich, P.E. BSEE ’85 Manager, Data Analysis – Human Capital Progressive Insurance Mayfield Heights, Ohio Victor Marone, P.E. Senior Partner Chesapeake Management Associates Annapolis, Md. Lt. Col. Brett Mason BSEE ’86 Vice President, Intelligence Community, AC4S Mission Essential Personnel LLC Fairfax, Va. Scott McClintock, P.E. BSCE ’86 Project Manager Kass Corporation/2AW Limited Pataskala, Ohio Neil Naiman, P.E. BSEE ’74 Manager, Downstream Planning and Strategy (Retired) Marathon Petroleum Company LLC Findlay, Ohio Timothy Quellhorst BSME ’81, ACIT ’16 Senior Vice President Crown Equipment New Bremen, Ohio Michael Rencheck, P.E. BSEE ’83, ACIT ’08 President/CEO (Retired) AREVA NP Inc. Lynchburg, Va.
In addition, I would like to reflect upon some significant college accomplishments over the past several years and discuss our college’s bright future. During my tenure as vice chair and chair of the Engineering Advisory Board, our country experienced the greatest economic collapse since the Great Depression. Faced with the challenges of the gripping financial crisis, our University implemented tactical and strategic plans and programs that paid off with the bright sustainable future we have today. For the College of Engineering, enrollment during the 2010-11 academic year sank to a low of 395 and then bounced up in the 2012-13 academic year to 424. In the 2015-16 academic year, enrollment soared to 497 students. Today and into the future, the engineering and computer science programs at ONU continue to be enormously successful and popular because of our unique caring culture. We offer an intimate learning environment with caring faculty and staff who help students achieve their dreams, every day! Our college began offering additional programs, such as the new engineering education major; modified our college vision to enhance our current studentlearning experience to an even higher level; embarked upon a major strategic plan initiative to redefine the people, programs and physical plant for the college; and enhanced our highly focused freshman success program. Today, our combined mutual past efforts have fortified our future, and I am happy to report that the college is still at its very best – even better today than yesterday. However, we cannot rest on what we have accomplished to date, and there is still much more to do to continue to provide the best student experience and learning environment to the nextgeneration of engineering and computer science students who step foot on the campus of Ohio Northern University. Thanks to all of you who participate and support our college and our University each day!
Rob Ryan, P.E. BSME ’81 Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Consultant Shell Oil Corporation (Retired) Houston, Texas
SPRING 2016
God bless ONU! Kevin D. Freese, BSME ’84, ACIT ’15 Chair of the Ohio Northern University College of Engineering Advisory Board
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Dr. Donald Campbell BSME ’59, ACIT ’95, Hon. D. ’98, ACIT ’11 Director (Retired) NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio
Dr. E.F. Charles LaBerge Professor of the Practice of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Maryland, Baltimore County Baltimore, Md.
As my final address as chair of the Engineering Advisory Board, I want to thank all the staff, faculty, college advisory board members, University trustees and alumni that I have had the pleasure to work with during my tenure. I want to give special thanks to Dean Eric Baumgartner, who is a very gifted and caring leader, engineer, educator and visionary. Thanks for the chance to dream, plan and shape the future of the engineering college with you over all these many years.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage
PAID
Berne, IN 46711 Permit No. 43
College of Engineering 525 S. Main St. Ada, OH 45810
REWARDING SUMMER ENRICHMENT OPTIONS
SUMMER
WHAT: A weeklong residential camp for gifted students that introduces students to challenging courses ranging from math and engineering to theatre and the legal system. WHERE: Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio WHEN: June 12-17, 19-24 and July 17-22, 2016 WHO: For gifted high school students entering the ninth, 10th, 11th or 12th grade in fall 2016 MORE INFO: onu.edu/sahi WHAT:
WHERE: WHEN: WHO:
A four-day residential engineering, mathematics and science camp Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio July 10-13, 2016 Girls entering the seventh or eighth grade in fall 2016
MORE INFO:
onu.edu/campgems