Mechanical engineering alumni celebrate careers

4:49 p.m., May 4, 2005--UD’s Department of Mechanical Engineering hosted an “Alumni Career Celebration,” Friday, April 29, at the Clayton Hall Conference Center.

The daylong event brought 150 alumni, students and faculty together to learn about current research at the University and at technology organizations, to network, share career experiences, offer career guidance and engage in informal recruiting.

Tom Buchanan, chairperson of mechanical engineering, provided an overview of the department since its inception in the 1890s, followed by faculty presentations detailing new and cutting-edge research, ranging from biomechanical studies of the musculoskeletal system to flying robots and fuel cells.

Jack Vinson, H. Fletcher Brown Professor of Mechanical Engineering, gave the keynote address introducing the 2005 Distinguished Career Alumni.

Ten graduates of the mechanical engineering program were named 2005 Distinguished Career Alumni including,

David T. Bach, president & CEO of Scientific Products & Systems Inc. at the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus (UMBC) Technology Center in Maryland;

Alex T. Bourdon, manager of global manufacturing operations for Dade Behring;

Frederick H. Kohloss, consulting engineer and designer of mechanical services for major projects;

Anthony L. Laganelli, chief scientist and assistant vice president for the Propulsion and Information Technology Division within the Space and Defense Group of Science Applications International Corp.;

Amy L. Lerner, assistant professor of biomedical and mechanical engineering and orthopedics at the University of Rochester;

Donald R. McCoy, retired deputy associate director for weapons physics at Los Alamos National Laboratory;

Jack N. Pezza, mechanical engineer in the Shock Qualification Program of the Naval Surface Warfare CenterCarderock Division in Philadelphia;

Stephen D. Popovich, retired after a 38-year career with General Electric;

Patrick J. Reynolds is co-founder, president, and CEO of PoolPak Technologies Corporation in York, Pa, making indoor pool dehumidification systems; and

John Thackrah vice president and general manager of operations for Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp.

Article by Barbara Garrison
Photos by Greg Drew

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