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Sean McDaniel ’10
Research Helps Keep America Safe — and Even Removes Hair By Ed Syguda
Sean McDaniel ’10, an electro-optical engineer, is in charge of developing lasers for a variety of applications for the military at Leidos in Beavercreek, OH, just outside Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. “My role focuses on developing laser sources for a variety of medical and military applications, mainly focusing on mid-infrared lasers,” McDaniel said. “I work on basic research, but the end result of this type of work ends up in missile defense systems, lasers used for glaucoma surgery and even laser hair removal.” McDaniel majored in physics at Otterbein and was a member of Lambda Gamma Epsilon and the American Physical Society. He also served as a lab assistant, setting up laboratory experiments for the introductory and advanced physics courses. Although both of his parents, Ann Backer McDonald ’75 and Scott McDaniel ’75, had attended Otterbein, McDaniel looked at a lot of different schools before he chose Otterbein. “On my admission’s visit, I was able to meet with the physics faculty, including Dr. David Robertson. I thought the Al Bernardo ’05 is the user services librarian at Valley City State University, Valley City, ND. He earned his master’s degree in library and information science at Kent State University in May 2015. Robin Pertz ’05 was promoted from embedded librarian to science librarian at the NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, in October.
Teresa Smith ’05 is the principal of second through fifth grade in New Albany‑Plain Local Schools. She started her career in banking and became a teacher 10 years ago. 2006
reunion year Homecoming 2016
Benjamin D. Garnett ’06 earned his master’s degree in communication from the University of Louisville in December 2015.
Jeff Sabo ’08 earned his master’s degree in business administration management from Baldwin Wallace University in December. He is pictured here with his sister, Dr. Michelle Sabo.
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| O t t e r be i n To w e r s | Spring 2016
faculty was excited about teaching — something I didn’t see at other schools.” Looking back, McDaniel feels Otterbein has prepared him well for his future career in the sciences. “Otterbein gave me a vast working knowledge of physics and a very good general education,” McDaniel said. “The large selection of in-department courses allowed for a broad overview of all areas of physics. Of those courses, electricity and magnetism prepared me for my graduate work in electro-optics. I was well prepared when I started my graduate work.” McDaniel received his master’s degree in electro-optical engineering from the University of Dayton in 2012. He served as a graduate assistant at Dayton and worked as an engineering technician in the Air Force Research Laboratory. He joined Science Applications International Corporation, which later became Leidos, right out of graduate school. McDaniel is currently working on his doctorate in electro-optical engineering at Dayton, while working full-time at Leidos. Darlene Lawson ’06 is deputy fiscal officer at the Westerville Public Library.
Tara Trigg ’06 is support services coordinator at the City of Westerville.
Holly Fenner Ritter ’06 earned a master’s degree in human services from the University of Dayton, Aug. 2014.
Mandi Wroblewski ’06 is teaching in the Southeastern Local School District.
Kendra Bumgarner Skeens ’06 is a clinical leader for the Genetics and Infectious Disease Clinics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus.
Ben Hoeger ’07 became a full partner in The Hedley Hoeger Group, private wealth managers in association with Baird Financial Advisors Group, Columbus.
Micaela Coleman ’10 was the recipient of the Otterbein Celebration of Diversity Award in February. The award is given to celebrate the rich diversity of the Otterbein alumni community for their professional accomplishments and service contributions to Otterbein and to their community. She also recently won the title of Ms. Virginia USA Ambassador 2016. She will compete for the national title of Ms. USA Ambassador held in July.