Message from the Department Chair: December 2016 Newsletter
Dear CHEE alumni and friends,
I hope everyone is doing well during the busy holiday season!
Engineered for Success
We appreciate the positive feedback we’ve received in response to the new CHEE newsletter, and we’re excited to see connections among alumni, faculty and students growing as a result.
We’ll continue to share the latest faculty, staff and student accomplishments and research activities – but the material that fits into the newsletter barely scratches the surface of all of the amazing work being done here. For a more complete rundown of CHEE activities, check out the website.
We also want to hear more from more of our alumni! A big thank you to those who have already sent updates – the Class Notes section of the newsletter is by far the most popular. Keep the stories and photos coming! And be sure to pass along any news articles that feature you, your work and your accomplishments.
Class notes, news articles and photos can be submitted to Holly Altman, CHEE’s program manager, at haltman@email.arizona.edu.
Homecoming 2016
Homecoming was a whirlwind of activity for UA Engineering students, faculty and alumni.
Among the highlights – John Somerhalder (BS/ChE 1977) was selected as Alumnus of the Year for the College of Engineering. John rose through the ranks from engineer to president of El Paso Pipeline Group and recently retired from AGL Resources as CEO. John took time out when he was on campus to attend a lecture for CHEE 201: Material and Energy Balances. After class he met with students and described how he navigated his career, managing the turns it took over time and juggling family responsibilities.
Another great event was a seminar and CHEE dinner with Marla Smith-Nilson (BS/CivE 1991), who started the NGO Water1st International, which works to implement water sanitation projects in nearly 200 villages around the world.
And it was wonderful to visit with some of you at the College of Engineering’s Homecoming tailgate party.
Coming Up Next
As you’ll see in the article about Paul Blowers and collaborative learning, we’re making great strides in finding new ways to use technology to improve teaching and learning outcomes. Paul is helping our department be on the vanguard of this effort at the UA.
We are also working to incorporate design throughout the undergraduate program by identifying a theme, and weaving it through the curriculum. The themes we are exploring include power generation and flow control and measurement. Once implemented, this will be a major, positive curriculum revision that alums have suggested, and our industry partners support. The goal is to provide more hands-on learning opportunities to our students and better prepare them to enter the work force.
Thank you for being an important part of the journey of CHEE. I hope that you and your families have a joyous holiday season, and a safe and happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Anthony Muscat
Professor and Department Chair
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering
The University of Arizona
muscat@email.arizona.edu