School of Engineering & Technology
Fall semester concluded with a show-down between teams in EGNR101 - Introduction to Engineering. Team Tempus Fugit watches it's autonomous Mindstorm robot rolls towards completion of its task to drop 8 balls into the center ring and take first place.
It may be cold outside, but it's spring semester and senior projects are heating up the labs. Be sure to visit us for our project presentations and demonstrations on Friday, April 30.
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SAE prepares for 2010 Baja Season | Winter 2010
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| ENGINEERS, CLASSICAL GAS – Lake Superior State University's student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) hosted a Toga party on Friday, Jan. 29, at Zim's Restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. The benefit featured toga contests, music with DJ Seismic, and fun until closing. Proceeds went toward the group's trips to February’s Winter Baja Invitational in the Keweenaw Peninsula and to Greenville, S.C. for the Baja SAE Carolina in April. Left to right, in planning mode, are chapter president Brandon Roy (mechanical engineering senior; Mancelona, Mich.), secretary Tiffany Radka (fisheries and wildlife management junior; Turner, Mich.), and treasurer Stephen Wilson (manufacturing engineering technology senior; Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.). |
The LSSU chapter of SAE is rolling into its third year of participation in the SAE Baja series as a bonafide Baja team. The chapter has continued to grow, and now includes students from majors across campus, including fisheries and wildlife management, fire science and computer science.
LSSU’s first entry into a Baja SAE competition was in 2007 when two senior project teams came together as Laker Racing at the Baja SAE Midwest Regional in Rochester, NY. The following year, a senior project team entered a new vehicle in the 2008 Baja SAE Illinois competition in addition to the revamped version of the 2007 vehicle by the SAE chapter members.
The chapter developed a new vehicle of its own design during the 2008-09 competition season. The vehicle's first test was in February at the Winter Baja Invitational in the Keweenaw Peninsula's Lake Linden. Then the training wheels came off and the crew got down to some serious business in the shop. A caravan made its way to Baja SAE Alabama in April, where they finished 42nd overall, with top-20 places in all the racing events.
The chapter launched into the third version of its vehicle on the heels of its first full season. Plans include participating in the 2010 Winter Baja Invitational and traveling to April’s Baja SAE Carolina in Greenville, SC. The Carolina competition field has 100 entries. Teams will be coming from throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and Brazil.
To fund this season’s participation, the chapter is hosting three major events. The first was a Halloween Party hosted at Zim’s Restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie. A toga party took place in late January, also at Zim’s. The group hopes to raise enough to satisfy its budget of more than $3,000 with its third fundraiser on March 26, a Las Vegas night that will be held in the Cisler Center Superior Room, featuring dinner followed by casino-style games.
Looking toward the future, there have been rumblings about developing a test-drive area on campus to simulate various conditions at competition, from mud and rocks to hills and flats.
For more information about the LSSU chapter of SAE, contact the group’s advisor, Dr. Robert Hildebrand at rhildebrand@lssu.edu.
Competition Update: February 2010
SIFE Entrepreneurial Lecture provided valuable insight | January 2009
David Ollila, founder and Chief Product Developer of the V.I.O., point-of-view (POV) camera systems, came to the LSSU Entrepreneurial lecture sponsored by SIFE. Ollila provided insight to the workings of the entrepreneurial world and its pros and cons.
The presentation led to a showcase of the prototype for his newest product, a combination snowshoe-back country cross country ski. The combination shoe/ski is intended for use when the wearer wants to "float" on the snow like a snowshoer, yet be able to tackle inclines and ski downhill like an alpine skier. Watch for its introduction into the market later this summer (remember - our summer is the southern hemisphere's winter!).
Congratulations to our 2009 SmartMove FIRST LEGO tournament teams | Fall 2009
- Technical Design Challenge winner:
Soo Township Tigers #10018
- Project Presentation Challenge winner:
Mancelona MetalMen #9643
- Teamwork challenger winner:
Soo Township Tigers #10018
- Robot Performance winner:
Whitefish Township Robo Rockets #130
- Congratulations to Soo Township Tigers, team #10018 for winning the Championship Trophy and advancing to the state-level tournament in Flint where they won the Rookie Award!
The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour was a success with more than 200 participants.
Are you thinking about starting your own business? Learn more about the next steps - developing business plans, what it takes to turn your idea into reality or create a prototpye, manufacturing methods and more Contact the Prototype Development Center at: pdc@lssu.edu, in partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie SmartZone.
Staubli robots donation:
Work is underway to replace the L-line with a set of Staubli robots donated by their namesake. Robots from the L-line will replace some of the Adepts on the front circular line.
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News from 2008-09 |
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Longtime friend of LSSU Engineering establishes new scholarship | Spring 2009
Introducing the Andersen Family Engineering Scholarship
 The purpose of this $1200 non-renewable annual scholarship is to benefit a student(s) in any engineering-related course of study at Lake Superior State University. The named endowment is established by Mr. Robert G. Andersen. Bob, like his father and grandfather before him, continued the family engineering tradition. He recently retired from his engineering supervisor position with Continental (Teves) Automation Systems.
A long-time supporter of LSSU's engineering and engineering technology programs, Bob served as a senior project sponsor for more than seven years, and provided cooperative and employment opportunities for our students and graduates. He has received honorary "alumni status" with the department along with several recognitions by the university and the department.
Faculty receive 1st place at ASEE Spring Conference | Spring 2009
Congratuations are in order to Prof. Paul Duesing and Dr. Wael Mokhtar for receiving the Best Paper Award at the ASEE North Central Section Spring Conference held at Grand Valley State University on April 3-4. The co-authored paper is entitled "Active Discovery and Engineering Problem Solving (EPS) Techniques - An Effective Approach to Teach a Freshman Level CAD Course."
The new teaching methodology was approved by LSSU Provost Dr. Scott Amos and implemented in EGME141 Solid Modeling. Emphasis is placed on providing students a focused task that requires learning the tools to render it as opposed to lecturing about the tools and then applying them. In this way, students use problem solving techniques to learn the applications of tools with a goal in mind.
Click here to download the paper
LSSU Teams place at ASME Conference | Spring 2009
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| Team members: Dale Burnham, MfgET, Plainwell, Mich.; Joe Betcher, ME, Trout Lake, Mich.; Bob Hemeleski, EE, Iron River, Mich.; Mark Stumpo, CE, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.; (not pictured) Jonathan Lane, ME, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. |
Members from senior projects Team Innovative Medical Training Devices (IMTD) and Team Rock Rover Design and Development (R2D2), as well as the LSSU Chapter of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (AMSE) traveled to Dayton, Ohio for the 2009 Student Professional Development Conference for District B. They were the largest contingent (18 participants) traveling the greatest distance to attend.
2nd Place: Student Design Competition - Senior Project Team R2D2
Team R2D2 designed, developed, fabricated, assembled and tested an omni-directional rover which took second place. They will advance to the International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition’s student design competition on November 18, 2009 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Congratulations R2D2!
2nd Place: Old Guard Technical Poster Competition
"Simulated Arterial Blockages for Ultrasound Training"
Natasha Flynn, ME, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. represented the senior project Team IMTD, presented the team's poster at the conference, taking second place.
Team members: Ray Bergeron, ME, Grand Ledge, Mich.; Robert Camp, ME, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.; Natasha Flynn, ME, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont; Lance Rood, EE, Shelby, Mich.; Mike Zavislak, EE, Washington, Mich.
The team designed and built a prototype of an ultrasound scan-able device, known as a dynamic flow phantom. The phantom will be used to aid in the training of future ultrasound technologists. It accurately simulates a variety of arterial blockages along with a range of flow characteristics. The system involves several different settings which closely imitate human blood flow and tissue characteristics. Team IMTD’s prototype will be used to substantiate Dr. George Chandran’s intellectual patent.
4th Place ASME Old Guard Oral Presentation
"Pick-up Trucks and Aerodynamic Drag CFD Analysis"
Robert Camp, ME, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
His presentation was based on research work performed with Dr. Mokhtar during the summer of 2008.
Engineering banquet serves up its usual fare of awards and surprises | Winter 2009
Our emcees were Mike Zavislak and Jason Fall who did a fine job of running the evening's festivities. This was Mike's 4th and last year serving as an emcee.
The following outstanding graduates were announced, receiving clocks created on our CNC:
- Outstanding Computer Engineer: Jordan Meyer
- Outstanding Electrical Engineer: Michael Zavislak and Dave Stiles
- Outstanding Mechanical Engineers: Joe Betcher and Joel Diemer
- Outstanding Manufacturing Engineering Technologist: William Carolan
- Outstanding Engineering Management: Jeremy Hotlen
- Outstanding Engineering Athlete: Adam Smith
Congratulations to these graduates for their hard work, and exemplifying what it means to be a graduate of the Department of Engineering & Technology at LSSU.
Following the faculty and staff recognitions by the students of the Dean's Student Presidents Council (comprised by the presidents of each of the engineering organizations and members at large), the Big Resistor was passed on to Andrew Jones, leaving an empty spot on Prof. Paul Duesing's wall.
A rendition of Sonny & Cher's "I got you babe" contemplating the little screw by Dr. David Baumann (Sonny) and Morrie Walworth (Cher) primed the audience for the presentation of this year's Little Screw. Dr. Robert Hildebrand passed on the new Little Screw to Dr. David Baumann.
Dr. Andrew Jones kept the Big Nut & Tool under wraps as he explained the renovations, frequently peeking under the cloth. After the unveiling, the remotely-operated award, now consisting of the original Big Nut and Tool, a model train with a sound system proclaiming the award's name, and flashing lantern, automatically ran through it's steps. Now residing in Dr. Ron DeLap's office, should one walk a bit too close, the sequence will be set off.
The council members did an excellent job of organizing the banquet, soliciting door prizes and putting togher another memorable program.
Scholarship meets face-to-face | Winter 2009
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| Mike, pictured at center wearing a ball cap, is flanked by members of Precision Edge Surgical Intruments, Inc. From left they are: Doug Pascoe, controller; Stephanie Pins, quality control manager; Katie Pepin, accounting manager; and Duke Pepin, engineering manager. At right is then-LSSU president, Rodney Lowman. |
Laker hockey was the background for a meeting of Precision Edge scholarship donors and recipient, Mike Zavislak, an electrical engineering senior from Washington Twp. The group enjoyed getting to know each other and watched the game from the president's box.
Update January 2010: Mike is pleased to announce his engagement to Helena, an LSSU nursing student. He has accepted a position in Chattanooga, beginning early winter 2010. A wedding is planned for summer 2011.
Engineering students join the ranks of Alpha Chi | Fall 2008
This year's class of LSSU juniors granted membership to Alpha Chi National College Honor Scholarship Society included three engineering students: Tom McGrail, CE, of West Branch; Brian Reid, EE, of Ray; and Jonathan Valley, CE, of Standish. Only the top 10% of the junior and senior classes of LSSU is eligible for invitation to Alpha Chi.
The purpose of the society is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction.
Madl Manufacturing Engineering Technology Award debuts | Summer 2008
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| Jan and John Madl are thanked by Dean Morrie Walworth for their award contribution. The slide rule is one of many items rescued by John and now hangs in the school office. |
Professor Emeritus John Madl, and his wife, Jan, donated a $500 award for a full-time manufacturing engineering technology student who has earned at least 26 credits. The impetus behind the award was to help a struggling student.
"I struggled as a student and want to help someone in a similar situation. Perhaps part of the struggle is trying to do well as a result of having to work outside of school to be able to afford living and educational expenses," said John regarding the type of student he would like to see as a recipient. He's thinking of the person who works hard, studies hard, and contributes to LSSU but doesn't necessarily get top grades. That said, the requisite minimum GPA is 2.0.
Candidates should indicate a need for the award in their submission letter. Although the award is not automatically-renewable, recipients are eligible to reapply for it each year. Selection is made the faculty of the School of Engineering and Technology.
John Madl started teaching in the Engineering Department at the Soo Branch of MTU in 1967 after finishing his MSME at Michigan Technological University. He accepted early retirement in 2002 after 34 years of service to Lake Superior State University.
Jan (Osterhout) Madl was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. She received her RN from LSSU in 1982 and has since retired from War Memorial Hospital. They have three children: Janel Wallis, Dawn Cole, and Bryan Madl. John and Jan also have three grandsons.
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News from 2007-08 |
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LSSU Seniors Realize Their Vision Via Portable Robotic Workcell | April 2008
 Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), a leading supplier of factory automation design, engineering and process consulting services sponsored the development of a vision-based robotic workcell as a senior project at Lake Superior State University. Designed by the senior project students of team Superior Vision Systems, with support and guidance from AMT’s Jean-Pierre Rasaiah, the cell identifies and robotically packages consumer products from a moving conveyor.
The workcell is based on a multi-axis workcell donated by Bosch Rexroth, including a conveyor system and a motion logic controller. To help complete the project, AMT was also able to arrange the use of a Stäubli RX60 robot & controller, a Cognex DVT Legend 520 SmartImage camera, and a Siemens HMI panel.
“We’ve worked closely with Lake Superior State University for years, and we’re excited to support another strong class of graduating seniors,” commented Joe Campbell, AMT’s COO. “LSSU has developed a world class automation program, and we’re proud to be a small part of their success.”
Kevin Gingerich, director of marketing services at Bosch Rexroth in Buchanan, MI said of their donation to the project, “By providing the LSSU team with Rexroth technology, we knew they'd get a chance to work under real-world conditions with world-class automation components.” Gingerich added, “We were also confident AMT would provide the seniors with good supervision and support. We're pleased that the timing was right and that we had the opportunity and the means to contribute.”
“Our senior projects provide our students with a simulation of the real-life engineering,” said Dr. Taskin Padir, assistant professor at LSSU, and faculty advisor for this project. “This experience makes sure that they are ready to take the challenge as they graduate and join the engineering work force. That's why AMT's support is valued greatly by the students and faculty at LSSU.”
The LSSU robotic workcell is built on Rexroth’s aluminum extrusion framework, employing a Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow conveyor system, IndraMotion MLC motion logic controller, IndraDrive Servos and IndraDyn Motors to circulate the products through the cycle.
A Cognex SmartImage camera scans each product as it passes, while the program notifies the Stäubli robot to retrieve a specific selection and drop it off the line to be packaged. Parameters for the project define a successful running cycle to continue for ten hours with no more than one hour of recovery time. The completed workcell will be used as a training device for future students and AMT personnel alike.
Founded in 1989 by Michael Jacobs, AMT is a leading supplier of complete consulting and engineering services, offering single-source engineering solutions to the automation and manufacturing industries. The company’s service offerings range from design and simulation to programming, installation and support of industrial automation solutions. The company’s technical and industry expertise in process automation for the automotive, aerospace, building materials, consumer products, food, heavy equipment, machinery, medical, and truck industries offers its customers the highest quality professional service available in the industrial arena. For more information contact Applied Manufacturing Technologies at 248-409-2000, or online at www.appliedmfg.com.
EAC Accreditations Announced | August 2007
Bachelor's degree programs in engineering at Lake Superior State University have been accredited through 2013 after a recent visit by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, an accrediting body that has examined LSSU programs for many years.
The LSSU School of Engineering and Technology was visited by a review team from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET during September 2006 for the reaccreditation of its electrical and mechanical engineering programs, and the initial accreditation of the computer engineering program. All three received word that accreditation has been granted through September 30, 2013. These programs join the LSSU manufacturing engineering technology program, which is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET until fall 2011.
Morrie Walworth, dean of the LSSU School of Engineering and Technology, said the full six-year accreditation time frame for all programs is outstanding. Typically, interim reports and/or visits are required to provide revised and updated information related to specific ABET committee concerns.
“It was obvious that there was a dedicated and cooperative effort from all of the faculty and staff in the School of Engineering and Technology in order to receive such an incredible affirmation by ABET,” said Walworth. “The school also acknowledges the extra efforts of time, preparation and leadership by Profs. Paul Duesing, Jim Devaprasad and David Baumann. They, along with the faculty and accreditation committee members, provided the guidance and encouragement for such a successful accreditation visit.”
To prepare for the visit, the School of Engineering and Technology collected materials from departments throughout campus. The materials were from those courses required for engineering students outside of their major areas, including English, humanities, mathematics, computer science, and physical, chemical, natural and social sciences.
Walworth specifically praised faculty in mathematics and computer science for their efforts with the accreditation visit.
"The courses they offer and the assessment performed in their areas provide an excellent foundation for our engineering students," he said.
The ABET team also met with alumni from the engineering programs and members of the school's Industrial Advisory Board.
"The involvement and influence of these constituencies upon the engineering curriculum has continually impressed ABET visitors for over a decade," Walworth said.
In addition to holding face-to-face meetings with students, alumni, campus administrators and support services, the ABET team spoke with six-month and three-year graduates of the programs as part of the school's continuous improvement plan. The team noted excellent support for engineering across campus.
Walworth said the LSSU student body, which benefits the most from the accreditation efforts, has provided the best evidence for accreditation. The students provide samples of classroom and lab work for ABET team review.
"The students' performance is a direct result of the curriculum, the faculty and the LSSU environment," Walworth said.
ABET is the recognized U.S. accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. It has accredited nearly 3,000 programs at more than 550 institutions. The organization has been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation since 1997.
Sven V. Heikkinen Engineering Scholarship established in memory of son's love for LSSU | Summer 2007
This scholarship was established by Ken and Kate Heikkinen in memory of their son, Sven. He was a 1982 graduate from Pickford High School. He graduated from Lake Superior State University in 1993 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was an Engineering Specialist in Vehicle Development working for the Continental-Brimley Development Center. He was also an Adjunct professor with LSSU vehicle test dynamics, a driving instructor, a Junior Achievement mentor, and a Dale Carnegie trainer. His unexpected death on June 3, 2007 at the age of 43 has left an indelible void on his wife, Jodie, his daughters Kirsi and Kinzie, and all who knew Sven. He had a genuine love for LSSU and, in particular, the school of engineering. It is his parents’ wishes to honor his memory with a scholarship to benefit future LSSU engineering students. This merit scholarship is awarded to an engineering student majoring in any engineering field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher based on a recommendation by the LSSU Engineering faculty.
Floyd Starks Memorial Scholarship remembers father's belief in higher education | Summer 2007
A scholarship was established by Stan Starks, a 1976 LSSU Engineering graduate in memory of his father, Floyd Starks. Despite Floyd's limited education, he was a strong believer in higher education and was insistent that his two sons, Stan and Larry, complete a college education. They went on to retire from successful engineering careers. The scholarship will benefit a sophomore enrolled in electrical or computer engineering.
Stan recently visited LSSU to catch up with his mentor, Prof. David McDonald, and meet the student who will be receiving the first scholarship in fall 2007. The Starks campus legacy will be continued when Stan's nephew enrolls this fall.
Floyd will always be remembers for personal sacrifice and quiet mentoring that made his sons' educational accomplishments possible.
Precision Edge Surgical Products provides funds to underwrite tution and fees for one year | Summer 2007
| PRECISION SCHOLARSHIP -- Lake Superior State University President Betty Youngblood and David Pelizzon, managing director of Precision Edge Holdings, sign documents to create the Precision Edge Surgical Products Company Engineering Scholarship. The fund underwrites an engineering student’s tuition and fees for one academic year. Looking on from left are Morrie Walworth, Dean of the LSSU’s School of Engineering and Technology; and LSSU alums Larry Hagen (’96), engineer; Chris Swailes (’99), engineer; Katie Pepin (’88), accounting manager; Brian Knowles (’86), engineer; and Duke Pepin (’87), engineering manager, all of Precision Edge. |
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Lake Superior State University has entered into a major scholarship agreement with a Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.-based medical instrument manufacturer. The Precision Edge Surgical Products Company Engineering Scholarship will cover a full year’s tuition and fees at LSSU for one engineering student beginning this fall.
Precision Edge, a subsidiary of Colson Associates, makes orthopedic surgical tools and medical instruments for clients all over the world. The company started 17 years ago in a 1,100-square-foot building. It subsequently expanded into a 14,000 sq. ft. facility in Barbeau, Mich., south of Sault Ste. Marie.
Today Precision Edge’s manufacturing base is back in the Sault, housed in a 37,000 sq. ft. facility adjacent to the city’s municipal airport. The company employs more than 130 skilled workers engaged in the design and development of burs, blades, drills, and other surgical accessories.
Precision Edge has evolved a close relationship with Lake Superior State over the past ten years. The company employs dozens of LSSU students and graduates, mainly from the mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering technology fields.
Precision Edge also offers LSSU students internship opportunities through co-ops, where a student gets course credit while working on assorted design and manufacturing projects. The company secures LSSU engineering expertise by commissioning student project teams who concentrate on producing a prototype product or service for credit during their senior year.
“There are two reasons why Robert Pritzker, President and CEO of Colson Associates, and I think the scholarship is important,” says David Pelizzon, managing director of the Precision Edge operation. “First, it shows our support to the University, which is a vital institution to the local community. Secondly, we are concerned about the decreasing number of engineering students in the US. The scholarship supports reversing that trend.”
Scholarship candidates must be of at least sophomore standing in any engineering and technology degree program, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The fund is for Michigan residents, with preference given to students from Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula. Financial need is a consideration, but not an overriding requirement. Even though this is a non-renewable award, past recipients can reapply if they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Candidates are solicited through LSSU's engineering department for this award.
The scholarship’s selection committee has a rotating membership of two faculty from the School of Engineering and Technology and two employees of Precision Edge Surgical Products Company. Each spring it will recommend a recipient and one alternate to LSSU’s Financial Aid office for final approval. The committee hopes to recommend the Fall 2007 recipient by the end of May.
“This scholarship is a great opportunity for students in the School of Engineering and Technology,” says Morrie Walworth, Dean of the School. “It also shows the great commitment Precision Edge has to higher education, especially to EUP students.”
Point your Web browser at www.precisionedge.com for more information about the Precision Edge Surgical Products Company.
Mini Baja team completes run at 2007 competition | June 2007
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Laker Racing recently completed its first entry in the SAE Mini Baja competition held in Rochester, NY from June 7-10. The team ranked 76th overall out of a field of 138 entries at the RIT (Midwest) location. Click here for the full story. |
School of Engineering and Technology loses a friend, mentor and avid supporter | June 2007
The School recently learned of the unexpected death of alumnus Sven V. Heikkinen on Sunday, June 3, 2007. A 1991 graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program, Sven had become an integral part of the Sault area community. He has worked for the Brimley location of Continental Automotive, providing opportunities for LSSU engineering and technology students, graduates, faculty and staff.
During the 2006-2007 academic year, Sven assisted the senior projects teams involved with the development and fabrication of a mini baja vehicle as an adjunct for special topics courses. The combined project group, Laker Racing, has dedicated its vehicle in memory of Sven. The team competed at the 2007 SAE racing event in Rochester, N.Y.
 Members of VDM Racing, Dan Goodrich, left; Sven Heikkinen, seated; Ryan Greene, right; prepare for Snocross races held at Kewadin Casino in December 2002.
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He was heavily involved outside the classroom participating in Snocross events with LSSU alums Ryan Greene, also of Continental Automotive in Brimley, and Dan Goodrich of Bosch Corporation in Farmington Hills. Their snowmobile sported the number "906" in honor of the Upper Peninsula and had LSSU's URL emblazoned on the side. Sven's daughters, Kirsi and Kinzie, have become a snowmobile racers in their own right as "Suomi GIrls Racing," following in their Dad's footsteps.
Sven was a soft-spoken gentleman who was full of energy, enthusiasm and support - both on campus and within the community. He leaves behind his wife, Jodie, and daughters Kirsi and Kinzie. Sven touched a great many lives who will feel his loss for a long time to come. |
Funeral arrangements were handled by C.S. Mulder Funeral Home of Sault Ste. Marie. To offer online condolences to the family, visit www.csmulder.com. Visitation was on June 7 and the funeral on June 8. Memorials may be made to a scholarship for Kirsi and Kinzie that has been set up at the Soo Co-op Bank.
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News from 2006-07 |
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Engineer's education straddles globe, cultures | May 2007
When Manar Wadi walked across Lake Superior State University’s Commencement stage last May, she almost thought she could hear the cheers of friends and family in New Jersey, Germany, and Tunisia. A few minutes later, she literally heard cheers when her parents called by cell phone from her hometown of East Jerusalem to say that they saw the whole ceremony on LSSU’s Internet telecast.
“That’s when it dawned on me how hard I worked to get to this point,” says Manar. She ceased to be the young high school student who had never been outside of Europe and the Middle East. She was now a full-fledged computer engineer who had mastered a new language (American idiom) and evolved a stronger sense of self-identity, both as a young Palestinian professional and a devout Muslim.
“I could have gone to a larger US school, or one in Europe closer to home, but I chose Lake State for reasons of strength and a challenge,” says Manar.
Strengths included the types of programs LSSU offered for a school its size and the caliber of faculty. Another plus was family: Manar’s sister, a trained biologist who has just finished a Master’s in health management, lives in the Sault as the wife of a local oncologist. Relatively close metro Detroit also offered a rich Arab-American community that included some friends and an extended family in nearby Ann Arbor.
The challenge of coming to LSSU was more personal.
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| AN ENGINEER’S TOUCH - Newly-minted computer engineer Manar Wadi poses with the controller she adapted to run a plasma cutter in one of Lake Superior State University’s manufacturing technology labs. Her senior project capped four years of hard work at Lake Superior State for Wadi, who plans to start this fall with a telecommunications company in her home town of East Jerusalem. (LSSU photo by John Shibley) |
“I really wanted to see if I could successfully bridge two cultures while keeping my own solid identity,” says Manar. “I wanted to help myself, as well as others around me, overcome barriers of culture and prejudgment that separate us. This was one major goal of my college experience, and LSSU offered a perfect environment to do this.”
Manar constantly wears the hijab, a traditional Muslim head covering that represents a devotion to her values. In Islamic scholarship, the hijab holds meanings of modesty, privacy, and morality . . . concepts that Manar feels define her character.
“Deep down there’s something beautiful and dignified about the hijab,” she says. “In Islam, modesty in dress, complemented by internalized modesty, adds a beautiful aspect to one’s life and personality. For women in particular, the hijab secures personal liberty in a world that objectifies women.”
Wearing the hijab also provided Manar with a not-so-modest means to stand out at LSSU and be recognized as a Muslim.
“It granted me an opportunity, and the responsibility, to strive to portray Islam in its true form, especially during a time when misinformation and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims abound,” she says.
Manar never shied away from explaining to her fellow students what it means to be a Muslim.
This past spring, she organized a forum that brought to campus the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. His evening lecture included an extensive follow-on discussion session that involved not only the university community, but people from Sault Michigan and Ontario as well.
One misconception that typically falls after discussion is the notion that women in most Islamic societies are discouraged from entering professions dominated by men, such as engineering, the vocation that Manar has selected. This paucity is still quite common in the U.S., even in contrast to what Manar sees in contemporary Arab countries.
“One thing that surprised me when I came to school here in the States was that there are still very few female students in engineering programs. Back home in the Palestinian universities, you can find a decent number of women engineers,” she notes.
Manar recalls her internship last summer with the United Arab Emirates-based telecommunications company PALTEL as another example. Five out of seven engineers she worked with on a project team were women.
“So, being a woman engineer doesn’t create any obstacles or awkwardness whatsoever to me pursuing a career in Palestine or any of the Arab countries in the Middle East,” she says. “In fact, I just received a job offer by Etisalat in Dubai. This shows that women professionals do have job opportunities in the Middle East.”
PALTEL is where Manar plans to start her career this coming September. Her first task will probably be to design cellular telephone and wireless data networks in her congested hometown of East Jerusalem.
Manar acknowledges that not all countries offer women a fair shot at pursuing a career. Still, she chalks that up to societal, rather than religious, preferences.
“In Islam, women are encouraged and obliged to learn and seek knowledge, and their education is considered to be as important and valuable as that of men,” she says.
Even in the West, it is still a driving and pertinent goal to encourage women to go into typically male-dominated vocations. Lake Superior State still offers a popular engineering science camp dedicated to girls, funded by state and federal grants.
Manar credits her family for steering her towards an engineering career.
“My parents have always valued education and encouraged us to travel and earn high educational levels, whatever that takes,” says Manar. “My interests in mathematics and electronics, as well as in traveling and exploring cultures, led me to major in computer engineering in the States.”
So, what is the biggest hurdle in clearing the barriers between cultures?
“The key is mutual understanding, and rejecting this theory of ‘clash of civilizations’,” says Manar. “Islam is great, it’s just that sometimes Muslims, being human, are not always great. As with any other faith or culture, Muslims and non-Muslims need to build the foundations for understanding each other.”
In her own personal way, over the past three years, Manar Wadi has engineered a foundation that spans the globe and bridges beliefs, right here at Lake Superior State. Who knows what bridges she will continue to raise in the coming years.
Electrical engineering alumnus lives robonauts and rovers | Spring 2007
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| FINAL MILESTONE CLEARED – The Space Shuttle Discovery clears smoke and steam as it heads into orbit on a Space Station assembly mission last December. A satellite-deployment tool on board that LSSU alum Tom Waligora helped build will later work flawlessly during the mission. Waligora graduated from LSSU four years ago with a degree in electrical engineering. (NASA) |
Tom Waligora’s creativity has launched satellites into Earth orbit and may someday help humans explore the Moon and Mars. If that is not cool enough, the 2003 Lake Superior State University electrical engineering graduate has even mingled with the likes of Steven W. Hawking, the famous physicist. However, Waligora knows when it’s time to wipe the stars from his eyes and return to a world that runs on deadlines.
“Right now I am working on a next-generation 5,800-pound rover through NASA’s R&D robotics group,” says Waligora. “The plan is to build three vehicles, the last of which must be ready for desert tests this November at Meteor Crater, Arizona.”
The prototype rover shakes out the technology required for remotely controlled or completely autonomous rovers that will follow astronauts around on walks around other words, like loyal pack animals carrying gear and essential supplies.
“The first rover is approximately 90% complete and is a simplified version that will be used as a test bed for subsystems such as motor drivers and active suspension,” says Waligora. “The second rover is a more complete vehicle for verifying that the systems can work together.”
It’s the latest in a series of projects that Waligora has thrown himself into since being hired two years ago by the space systems division (OSS) of Oceaneering Advanced Technologies. The Houston-based company designs everything from hardware for Shuttle and Space Station astronauts to use on EVAs, to intricate mechanisms that eject satellites into orbit from the Space Shuttle or other rockets.
Other OSS specialties include thermal protection systems for rockets, and robotic systems for military, space, and biological research The company supports astronaut training in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory and Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA’s Johnson Spaceflight Center in Clear Lake, Texas.
His first company project was a microsatellite deployment system for the Department of Defense’s Space Test Program, designed to fly in the Space Shuttle’s cargo bay. It use was successfully tested during a flight that Shuttle Discovery made to the Space Station last December.
“In a stunning display of grace, fluidity and agility, the system deployed two satellites simultaneously,” says Waligora. “My project responsibilities ranged from proposal development and schematic/circuit design, to final testing and product delivery. It’s very exciting to have something that I helped design get launched into space aboard the Shuttle.”
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| AN ENGINEER’S STUDIO – Tom Waligora works on “Terabot” at his workbench. The robotic arm clips onto a variety of stationary or mobile platforms for investigating and manipulating explosives without endangering an operator. Waligora graduated from LSSU four years ago with a degree in electrical engineering. (Oceaneering Advanced Technologies.) |
Waligora was also recently involved in a more down-to-Earth endeavor: the company’s “Terabot” creation, a robotic arm that clips onto a variety of stationary or mobile platforms, depending on how it is going to be used. Its dexterity is ideal for investigating and manipulating explosives without endangering an operator.
“The system has five degrees of freedom, a 25-pound lift capacity with a dust and water seal,” says Waligora. “It’s been used by law enforcement and military inspection vehicles, as well by astronauts as a training tool during NASA Mars exploration exercises in Arizona.”
However, these days Waligora’s pride and joy is his current assignment, the big rover and its milestone test this fall.
“Most of the people I am working with have advanced degrees from Purdue, MIT, and Carnegie,” Waligora says. “I feel very fortunate that I was asked to join the team on this build.”
Waligora’s new teammates formed the core group that developed Robonaut, a humanoid robot that functions as a virtual EVA astronaut. A human operator’s hands and eyes, even his sense of touch, networks through Robonaut via a telepresence control system.
Waligora had a famous visitor to the Robonaut lab not long after he joined the crew. “Steven W. Hawking came to check out Robonaut, and I helped set up his demo,” he beams.
Visiting relativistic physicists, plug-and-play robots, giant robomules . . . all the stuff of dreams. “I have the ultimate job for an engineer,” says Waligora. “On top of all this my wife and I just welcomed Ally, the world’s cutest baby, into our lives.” Call it proof-positive that dream jobs aren’t the only source of all fun and joy, at least in Tom Waligora’s case. He has a wonderful personal life as well.
Senior Project Team Meets Success at International Competitions | Summer 2007
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Mobile Robotic Workcell |
The 2005-06 Senior Project
team Automated Promotional Engineering Systems (APES)
recently took honors in two international design competitions.
A paper and poster were prepared for the design presentations.
The team developed a mobile robotic workcell capable
of solving a Rubik's cube and assembling an automotive
distributor as it showcases various automation technologies
including the use of vision sensors. Team members included
John Benjamin, Brad Bertels, Greg Johnson, Kate Kuuskman,
Ben Mitchell and Leith Nader. Through the encouragement
of the team's faculty advisor, Jim Devaprasad, Kuuskman
and Bertels did the preparations and represented LSSU
at the competitions.
Kate Kuuskman, a senior in mechanical engineering
with a robotics and automation option from Sault
Ste. Marie, Ont., attended the UPADI Pan American
Convention for Engineers, which was held September
19-22 in Atlanta, Ga. LSSU was one of five universities
invited to attend. Other participating schools
were Cornell University, Michigan Tech, Air Force
Academy and University of Puerto Rico. The LSSU
paper entitled "Mobile Robotics Workcell
- Using Robotics to Lure Young Minds to Manufacturing
Engineering," received an honorable mention
and plaque.
Brad Bertels of Ironwood, a spring 2007 graduate
in manufacturing engineering technology, participated
in the Student Design Competition at the International
Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference
sponsored by ASME. The event was held October 9 in Ypsilanti, Mich. The
LSSU entry was one of five finalists to present at the
conference. LSSU received second place, which included
a $750 prize. Other competitors were: University of
Florida-Gainesville (first) University of Michigan (third),
Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute and the University
of New Hampshire.
LSSU Engineering and Technology Receives 21st Century
Jobs Grant
A 21st Century Jobs Fund Grant proposal submitted by
Jim Devaprasad and Morrie Walworth was recently approved.
The grant will provide funding for the establishment
of a prototype development center. The grant, valued
at $580,000 was reviewed by the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation (MEDC), American Association for the Advancement
of Science (AAAS) and the Strategic Economic Investment
and Commercialization (SEIC) Board. It will be a collaboration
between LSSU and the Michigan Small Business and Technology
Development Center (MI-SBTDC).
Engineering Day 2007 | Winter 2007
MACHINE COMPETITION
This year's challenge was to take a whole orange, juice it, and pour the juice from a pitcher into a cup.
Once again, the creativity, teamwork and problem solving put forth by the competition participants was amazing.
Senior team winners:
1st Place: Petoskey's "007"
2nd Place: Petoskey's "Under the Sea"
3rd Place: East Jordan's "Monster Mash"
4th Place: Mackinaw City's "7-11"
Junior team winner:
Newberry's "Lumberjack Breakfast"
MOUSE TRAP CAR RACES
Distance Category
1st Place: Miracle at 63 ft 3 in.
2nd Place: Redwings at 60 ft. 11 in.
3rd Place:
Trapstar 1 at 51 ft. 3 in.
Speed Category (at a distance of 25 feet)
1st Place: Hoffman in 2.3 seconds
2nd Place: Trapstar 2 in 3.08 seconds
3rd Place: Trapstar 1 in 8.07 seconds
Overall Winner: Trapstar (combined)
For more information and downloadable registration forms,
click here to visit the 2007
Engineering Day site.
Please note: The Rube Goldberg organization
has introduced a $300 per team fee, of which we are able
to waive $200. We held our 2007 event as an "independent" at no cost to our participants.
However, we will did use the challenge and rules devised by
Rube Goldberg, Inc. in order to continue the consistency
of past competitions. We welcome your comments concerning the importance of being part of the national competition and the associated fees to help us determine the future nature of our machine competition. Please pass on your opinion regarding national participation to Jeanne Shibley.
Rube
Goldberg is the ® and © of Rube Goldberg Inc.
The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest is the (SM) of Rube
Goldberg Inc.
Engineering Banquet 2007 | Spring 2007
This year's banquet held both moments of fun and solemnity. In between bouts of flying silly string, the Big Resistor was passed from Dr. Taskin Padir back to Prof. Paul Duesing. Dean Morrie Walworth passed the little screw (a whopping screw weighing at least 10 pounds) to Dr. Robert Hildebrand, while Jon Coullard received the most votes for the Big Nut & Tool. Squirtgun tactics were used during the presentation of cartoon-themed certificates to the faculty and staff by the Dean's Student Presidents Council members.
Honored outstanding seniors were:
- Christopher Winkler, Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Engineering Student Athlete
- Tyler Skowronek and Price McAllister, Mechanical Engineering
- Victor Grzeda and Gregory Robertson, Computer Engineering
- Natalie Buffone, Electrical Engineering
A number of students who provided their time and talents as volunteers, mentors and assistants this past year were presented with Service Awards.
Order of the Engineer Ring Ceremony | Spring 2007
The class of 2007 installed 13 new members on Thursday, April 19. Our thanks to ringwearers David Strickland, P.E. of the City of Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan; Bob Ackert, P.Eng. formerly of Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.; and Jeremy Wilhelm of Caughill Consulting, also of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. for officiating.
If you are interested in receiving a ring, please
contact Jeanne Shibley for information. Candidacy is open to those graduating
from an accredited engineering program in Fall 2007,
Spring 2008 or Summer 2008. We are awaiting a decision by EAC of ABET regarding our computer engineering program's accreditation visit. We hope to recieve ABET's decision by the end of August 2007.
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To view a complete list of available engineering and engineering technology scholarships, click here.
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