February 21, 2022

Rob Clark, at left, and Stephen Fantone ’79 PhD are newly elected members of the National Academy of Engineering.

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

Election as a member of the National Academy of Engineering is one of the highest distinctions in the field. So it is a point of pride that two of the academy’s newest members have played such important roles in the Hajim School in recent years.

Rob Clark, our previous dean and former University provost and senior vice president for research, is being recognized for innovation resulting from a collaboration with Duke biologist Philip Benfey in the “development of automated tools for rapidly identifying and indexing desirable genetic traits for next-generation seed and biotechnology product development.” Rob, a professor of mechanical engineering, was instrumental as dean in increasing the number of engineering faculty, more than doubling our student enrollment, and leading a capital campaign that culminated with the naming gift from Ed Hajim ’58, chair emeritus of the Board of Trustees and the namesake of our school.

Stephen Fantone ’79 PhD, president and CEO of Optikos Corporation, is being recognized for contributions to optical engineering and the development of optically based products and metrology systems. Steve, an Institute of Optics alumnus, is chair of our Dean’s Advisory Committee. His company is a member of the Industrial Associates (IA) Program at the Institute of Optics. Steve has also been a supportive donor and fundraiser. He is a recipient of the Hajim School Distinguished Alumnus Award and the University’s Distinguished Scholar Award. A Fellow and past president of Optica (formerly OSA), Steve received the society’s Distinguished Service Award, which has since been renamed in his honor.

Congratulations as well to Hussein Aluie, associate professor of mechanical engineering, who has been selected as one of two U.S. National Committee on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (USNC/TAM) Young Observers for 2022. The observers are young professionals who are invited to attend and observe the annual committee meeting to gain experience with science policy and diplomacy and learn about opportunities for further engagement with USNC/TAM. The committee represents the mechanics community on behalf of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the private, nonprofit institutions that provide expert advice on pressing challenges that confront our nation and the world. A National Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics is held every four years under the auspices of the committee to foster and promote the exchange of ideas and information among the various disciplines of the TAM community around the world, and to chart future priorities in mechanics related research, applications, and education.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT

A special Black History Month panel discussion on “Black Music, Engineering, and Resilience” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., tomorrow, February 22, cosponsored by our Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Frederick Douglas Institute for African and African American Studies.

Moderated by Jeffrey Q. McCune Jr., the Frederick Douglass Associate Professor of African-American Literature and Culture and director of the Frederick Douglass Institute, the discussion will also include:

Fabian Taylor ’99 ’10 MBA, a mechanical engineering alumnus and plant engineer at the Thatcher Company.
Kevin Simpson ’92 ’96 MBA, an electrical engineering alumnus and a manager of supplier quality and engineering.
Jennifer Allen ’97 ’10 MBA, a chemical engineering alumna and senior project engineer, L3Harris Technologies.
Cory Hunter, assistant professor of musicology at the Eastman School and assistant professor of music, Department of Music.
Maurice McGlashan-Powell, visiting research faculty member, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Join via zoom, meeting ID: 922 8249 2661, passcode: 297862.

BLACK TAX FIRESIDE CHAT

In myriad talks on Wall Street, at leading universities, and even at the United Nations, chemical engineering alumnus Shawn Rochester ’97 has skillfully documented and described the staggering, pervasive tax driven by conscious and unconscious anti-Black bias that continues to prevent Black Americans from accumulating wealth in proportion to their contributions and population.

Please join me when Shawn, author of The Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America, joins University Trustee Lance Drummond ’85S MBA for a special Black History Month virtual zoom webinar, The Black Tax Fireside Chat. It will be held from noon to 1 p.m., this Thursday, February 24. Shawn’s talk, hosted by the Simon School of Business and the Hajim School, will focus on the proliferation of SPAC’s (special purpose acquisition companies) in the economic marketplace and the potential impact they could have on the Black Tax.

It will be my pleasure to join Sevin Yeltekin, dean of the Simon School, in providing welcoming and closing remarks. Advance online registration is required to receive the Zoom webinar link. If you are not able to attend the live program, be sure to register to receive the session recording via email.

REMINDER: SYKES AWARD

The deadline is March 1 for faculty and staff members to submit proposals for a Wadsworth C. Sykes Faculty Engineering Award. Ranging from $2,500 to $30,000, the awards fund innovative ideas for a new or revised course or program for our undergraduates–especially for first- and second-year students.

Proposals, not to exceed three pages, should include a one paragraph abstract of the project along with details on program content, budget and budget justification, and the benefit for Hajim School students. Submit proposals via email to Tim Woodward, director of finance and administration. Questions? Feel free to contact Tim or associate dean Paul Funkenbusch.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman