May 17, 2002

Contact: Jill Hummels, School of Engineering, (785) 864-2934.

Ceremony to honor engineering school's finest students, faculty on May 19

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas School of Engineering will honor its graduates at a recognition ceremony Sunday, May 19.

More than 280 students at the graduate and undergraduate level have indicated they will attend the ceremony, which will begin at 8 a.m. in the Lied Center.

Five faculty awards will be presented during the event.

Chris Allen, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science, was selected to receive the John E. Sharp and Winifred E. Sharp Teaching Professorship. Allen is being recognized for his outstanding teaching record, excellent research record and service beyond the call of duty. In the fall semester, Allen was one of 20 KU faculty members to be recognized with a W.F. Kemper Teaching Fellowship. Allen's research in radar systems and remote sensing have garnered funding from major corporations and the federal government. He has been involved in a number of committees on the KU campus and has served on the NASA Science Review Panel for Earth System Science Pathfinder Missions. The three-year award provides a personal award of $5,000 annually and access to another $5,000 annually for instructional development.

Rongqing Hui, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, will receive the Miller Professional Development Award for Research. Hui is being recognized for his prolific research activities in the sphere of optical communications and his collaborative efforts with other researchers. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient.

Rick Hale, assistant professor of aerospace engineering, was selected to receive the Gould Award for Teaching. Hale, who was chosen by a student committee to receive the award, was cited for his teaching style, course structure and exemplary interaction with students. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient.

Gary Minden, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, will receive the Miller Professional Development Award for Service. Minden's involvement on a variety of technology advisory commissions -- including his recent naming to the U.S. Commission on Spectrum Management -- has dramatically enhanced the image of the school and the university on a national level and helped determine future research directions for communications and information technology. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient.

Susan Williams, assistant professor of chemical and petroleum engineering, was selected to receive the Gould Award for Outstanding Advising. Williams, who was chosen to receive the award by a student committee, was recognized for her ability to help students stay focused as they explore their interests and options at the university. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient.

Several undergraduate students will be honored as the outstanding student in a particular engineering discipline. One of those students, Justin Rajewski, a senior in mechanical engineering from Hays, will be the first recipient of the Sammie and Carl Locke Award for Outstanding Senior in the School of Engineering.

The outstanding graduates and their disciplines are:

 • Phil Goldsby, civil engineering from Overland Park
 • Michael Keeler, computer engineering from St. Charles, Mo.
 • Mei Liu, computer science from Lawrence
 • Matthew Meier, architectural engineering from Ballwin, Mo.
 • Shadab Mozaffar, electrical engineering from Patna, India
 • Armando Noriega, engineering physics from Brazil
 • Justin Rajewski, mechanical engineering from Hays
 • Lauren Zuroweste, chemical engineering from Overland Park
 • Roland Weibel, aerospace engineering from Olathe.

A reception for graduates, faculty, staff and their guests will take place in Oliver Hall after the recognition ceremony.