KU News Release

Three alumni awarded with School of Engineering’s top honor

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Engineering and its advisory board will honor three of the school’s alumni for careers that exemplify professional achievement.

Stanley Englund of Midland, Mich.; Charles Salanski of St. Joseph, Mo.; and Michael Shinn of Shaker Heights, Ohio, will receive the Distinguished Engineering Service Award Thursday, May 8, at the Kansas Union. The award was created by the School of Engineering Advisory Board in 1980 to honor engineering alumni, or engineers who’ve maintained a close association with the school, for their outstanding contributions to the theories and practices of engineering research and development in new fields of engineering or direction of an organization that has made exceptional contributions in design, production and development.

“These three engineers have done amazing things within their sphere of influence,” said Stuart R. Bell, dean of the School of Engineering. “Not only have they had highly successful careers in engineering, but they’ve shown resourcefulness and compassion to help others around them. Stanley Englund has been a key player in ensuring that chemical-based product manufacturing is as safe as possible. Charles Salanski led the Wire Rope Corporation of America to new heights and is unrivaled in his contributions to his community. Equally as significant are the contributions of Mike Shinn, a stalwart KU supporter, who has championed the support and development of minority engineers across the nation. The School of Engineering and its advisory board are pleased to recognize these outstanding alumni.”

Englund, Salanski and Shinn will each received a bronze sculpture acknowledging the achievement. Portraits of the honorees and highlights of their professional accomplishments also will become part of the permanent award display in Eaton Hall, home of the School of Engineering.

“These alumni are outstanding role models of professional and personal integrity that we hope our students will emulate,” Bell said.

Stanley Englund

Stanley Englund
Englund is an international authority in process safety and risk management and, as a consultant for Dow Chemical Co., traveled the world.

Englund graduated from Salina High School before serving in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II. He graduated in 1950 from KU with a degree in chemical engineering. In 1951, he earned a master’s in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He then began a 42-year career in engineering, research and plant management with Dow. His leadership in the areas of process engineering and improvement helped make Dow an industry leader in chemical process safety and in several technologies including Saran resins.

Englund has addressed significant safety challenges facing the chemical industry in China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Israel, Jordan, Peru and Cuba. He has been involved in numerous community activities and organizations as well as service projects in Russia, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the United States.

He and his wife, Marjorie, reside in Midland, Mich., and have four children.

Charles W. Salanski

Charles W. Salanski
Salanski joined Wire Rope Corp. of America while still a mechanical engineering student at KU and joined the firm full time after graduating in 1957. By 1995 he was chief operating officer.

As COO of the St. Joseph, Mo., firm, Salanski led a growth strategy that increased sales four-fold and generated $200 million in revenue.

He retired from Wire Rope in 2002. He is now executive director of the Center, a Samaritan Counseling Center. He also chairs a project to design and implement a new system of care for emotionally disturbed children.

For many years he has chaired the KU Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board. Salanski is a registered professional engineer and a member of several engineering organizations.

He has held numerous leadership roles throughout St. Joseph, including with the Allied Arts Council, the Symphony, the City Council, the School District Foundation, the Wyatt Park Christian Church, Heartland Health, United Way and more. He lives with his wife, Margaret, in St. Joseph, Mo. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.

Mike Shinn

Mike Shinn
Before graduating in 1966 with an aerospace engineering degree from KU, Shinn led the KU football team as co-captain and earned academic All-American and dean’s honor roll recognition. The Topeka native was hired as a process control engineer for General Electric in Cleveland. He earned an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and was made quality control supervisor at GE’s Memphis plant in 1972. Under his direction, the unit averaged $150 million annually in cost reductions.

He returned to GE after three years at Ford Motor Co. to manage corporate recruiting and university development. He spurred the creation of GE’s African-American Forum, a personal and professional development program for black employees.

Shinn is a passionate supporter of the National Society of Black Engineers, having established scholarships for students and helped form the group’s Board of Corporate Affiliates.

Shinn retired from GE in 1999 and is a certified financial planner with Financial Network Investment Corp. and syndicated columnist.

At KU, Shinn has provided scholarship support for minority engineering students, is a member of the School of Engineering Advisory Board and a trustee of KU Endowment. He is active in the KU Alumni Association and served on its National Board of Advisers. In 2004, he received the alumni association’s Fred Ellsworth Medallion. He lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio, with his wife, Joyce, and son, Stephen.

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