FACULTY & STAFF NEWS NEW STAFF AND FACULTY
The School of Engineering welcomed five new faculty members: Dr. Kate Chan, assistant teaching professor in industrial engineering; Dr. Qing Hao, assistant professor of engineering in mechanical engineering technology; Dr. Shahid Hussain, assistant professor of computer science and software engineering; Dr. Feng Qian, assistant professor of engineering in mechanical engineering technology; and Dr. Mark Rubeo, assistant professor of engineering in mechanical engineering. We also welcomed a new research faculty member in plastics engineering technology and polymer engineering and science, Dr. Xiaoshi Zhang.
OTHER NEWS
INNOVATION COMMONS GETS $2.13 MILLION AND A NEW NAME
A new $2.13 million endowment will expand Penn State Behrend’s Innovation Commons product ideation, design, and prototyping lab. The endowment will provide funding support for the lab, which offers early-stage product design, computeraided drafting, no-cost 3D printing, and Industry 4.0 training, among other services. Since it opened in 2016, Innovation Commons has supported more than 240 projects for local entrepreneurs, startups, and community groups. That work has led to fourteen new companies and twelve patent applications. “Innovation Commons is the embodiment of our Open Lab approach to engaging students with businesses and innovators as part of the undergraduate experience,” said Amy Bridger, senior director of corporate strategy and external engagement at Behrend. “Through the Open Lab model, students apply classroom learning to product design challenges that lead to economic growth for regional businesses and entrepreneurs.” The endowment was created through an array of private and corporate gifts with a combined value of more than $1.06 million. Those gifts were matched 1:1 by Penn State’s LaunchBox Matching Program, bringing the total endowment to $2.13 million. In recognition of the largest of the gifts, the lab has been named the James R. Meehl Innovation Commons powered by Penn State Behrend. The Meehl family has had a strong association with Behrend faculty, programs, and athletics that began when James Meehl’s grandson, Aaron Meehl, a 2012 graduate, first enrolled as a student more than a decade ago.
YOU’RE INVITED!
Parents, Families & Alumni Weekend is October 14-16, 2022. Mark your calendar now and join us for a weekend of family fun, Behrend-style. A celebration for young and old alike, it offers plenty of things to do for students, alumni, parents, brothers and sisters, extended family—everyone! Visit behrend.psu.edu/weekend for more information.
Do you have news to share in the next Behrend Magazine? Email hjc13@psu.edu.
Brian Young, associate professor of plastics engineering technology, recently celebrated twenty-five years with Penn State.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Dr. Omar Ashour, associate professor of industrial engineering, was named technical vice president on the technical operations board of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE). He was also recently awarded the Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows Faculty Research Award. Dr. Alicyn Rhoades, associate professor of plastics engineering technology and polymer engineering and science, was appointed the interim associate dean of research and graduate studies on January 1. Dr. Ihab Ragai, associate professor in mechanical engineering technology, was recently chosen for the college’s Guy W. Wilson Award for Excellence in Academic Advising.
AWARDS FOR 2021-22
Five faculty and one staff member were recognized with School of Engineering Awards: Phil Jones, assistant teaching professor in mechanical engineering technology, Excellence in Teaching; Dr. Samy Madbouly, assistant professor in plastics engineering technology, Excellence in Research; Ed Evans, associate teaching professor in mechanical engineering technology, Excellence in Service; Dr. Ihab Ragai, associate professor in mechanical engineering technology, Excellence in Advising; Dr. Jiawei Gong, assistant professor in mechanical engineering, Excellence in Outreach; and Caitlyn Catalfu, administrative support assistant, Staff Excellence.
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