The College of Engineering hosted an Alumni Breakfast on Friday, March 15 as nearly 200 alumni, faculty, students, and staff gathered in the Student Union to reconnect and hear the latest from the College. This was the first alumni event the College has hosted since 2014.
Zips who graduated as far back as 1975 were present, as were recent graduates. One alumna, Cristina C. Pastore, B.S. Civil Engineering ’03, came from as far away as Atlanta to be there.
"The University of Akron and the College of Engineering played a significant role in who I am today," says Pastore. "I was thrilled to be able to see some of my professors as well as Deanna Dunn who was a fixture in the Co-op and Dean’s office for decades!"
The purpose of the event was to Reconnect, Reunite, and Relive memories of days past when the Student Union was known as Gardner Student Center and The Chuckery inside was a popular place for students to gather for a meal and to study with friends. It was also a time students had to learn FORTRAN, the programming language popular back then.
Robert Handelman, Chemical Engineering ’70, and Dr. Bob Veillette, Interim Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Deanna Dunn, Executive Liaison in the Cooperative Education Department, emceed the event. She shared a story about a student who, in the 1990s, tripped on their way into the co-op office, knocking their stack of FORTRAN cards out of order. That would be a disaster for the student because getting them back in the right order would be almost impossible and they likely had to start the project from the beginning.
Gary Neffinger, B.S. Civil Engineering ’96, recalled learning how to pour his first concrete driveway. He also remembered a food fight (and the airborne hotdog that started the whole thing).
Guests noshed on chicken and waffles, fresh fruit, and steak and eggs provided by Dining Services. A slide presentation quietly ran in the background, displaying black and white photos scanned from yearbooks featuring Concrete Canoe competitions and lecture halls full of serious young men in oxford shirts and ties (yes – mostly men. In 1948, a full 35 years after the College was founded, Ruth Hixenbaugh Neill became the first woman to graduate from the College).
Representatives from student design teams were present and chatted with alumni about team news and upcoming competitions.
A brief program included a State of the College address from Dr. Craig Menzemer, Interim Dean of the College of Engineering. Dr. Menzemer highlighted recent successes in the College and cast vision of a future focused on providing students with the best education and experiential learning possible. Dr. Menzemer shared news of the brand-new Engineering Advisory Center opening Summer 2019 and a new website.
Deanna Dunn, emcee, and Joshua Thomas, current civil engineering graduate student
After nearly 40 years of hibernation, the Golden Screw Award made its triumphant return. The award was brought back as a way to acknowledge a “lovably challenging” professor who pushes students, but always with their best interests in mind. The 2019 recipient of the Golden Screw Award was Dr. Bob Veillette, Interim Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“I remember once asking a very stupid question to him and he just smiled and encouraged me to think the answer through,” said Joseph Herbert, a former student. “He is extremely patient. When I grow up, I want to be just like him.”
Dr. Menzemer, Interim Dean of the College of Engineering, handing the Golden Screw Award to Dr. Veillette
When Dr. Veillette approached the podium to receive his award he smiled. “I never thought I would receive an award with a name like this. Thank you.”
The College and The University of Akron Alumni Relations Department overwhelmingly gave a thumbs up to the likelihood of making this an annual event given the turnout and positive feedback.
Neal Miesle, B.S. Civil Engineering ’83, said “It was sure great to see some old friends and professors. Go Zips!”