College of Engineering names Outstanding Engineering Alumni
04/01/2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Twelve Penn State engineers will be honored on April 14 at the annual Outstanding Engineering Alumni Awards ceremony at the Nittany Lion Inn on the University Park campus.
Established in 1966, the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Engineering and recognizes graduates who have reached exceptional levels of professional achievement.
This year's recipients are:
- Ellen Arruda of Ann Arbor, Michigan, professor at the University of Michigan. She earned a bachelor's degree in engineering science in 1985 and a master's degree in engineering mechanics in 1988.
- Saundra Johnson Austin of White Plains, New York, senior vice president for operations, National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc. She earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1986.
- Tim Buzza of Seal Beach, California, Launch Operations, Virgin Galactic. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering in 1986 and 1987, respectively.
- Christopher Daubert of Holly Springs, North Carolina, professor and department head, Department of Food, Bioprocessing & Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University. He earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering in 1991.
- Tim Dickson of Austin, Texas, will join Motorola Solutions as VP of Front Office IT on April 20. He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering in 1992.
- Michael Eppihimer of Franklin, Massachusetts, director, preclinical research, Boston Scientific. He earned his master's and doctorate degrees in bioengineering in 1992 and 1995, respectively.
- Michael Harrison of Atlanta, Georgia, senior managing director, Hines. He earned a bachelor of architectural engineering in 1985.
- Roger Liang of Fremont, California, chairman, BizLink Holding, Inc. He earned a master's degree in electrical engineering in 1988.
- Jonathan Spadt of Lower Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania, CEO and president, RatnerPrestia. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1993.
- Stephen Trautman of Reston, Virginia, deputy director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. He earned a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering in 1986.
- Ian Waitz of West Newton, Massachusetts, dean of engineering and Jerome C. Hunsaker Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering in 1986.
- Bruce Wile of Poughkeepsie, New York, Distinguished Engineer, IBM. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer science in 1984.
In addition to receiving their awards, the alumni will meet with faculty, staff and students; serve as guest speakers in classes; and tour facilities during their visits to campus.
Share this story:
Michael Eppihimer accepts the Outstanding Engineering Alumni award from Amr Elnashai, Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineering
