The Strategic Plan
and its
Implementation
......................
The Academy
Induction Ceremony
Dr. Fleming graduated from MTU with a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences in 1970. Graduate work at the Medical School of Wayne State (M.D. in 1974), at the Medical College of Wisconsin (M.D. in Family Medicine in 1977), and as Clinical Scholar at the University of North Carolina (M.P.H. in Epidemiology, 1986) prepared him for a distinguished career in the field of Family Medicine. He is currently Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School.
Dr. Fleming is the primary addiction medicine physician at UW, runs a large research post-doctoral training program, directs a number of NIH-funded research studies, and currently supervises nine post-docs and five PhD students. He is the author of 90 publications. He serves as grant reviewer for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, he is reviewer for Family Medicine, the Journal of Alcohol Studies, American Journal of Public Health, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and the American Board of Family Medicine.
In 1997 he received the Best Paper Award from the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine in Chicago, and the Wisconsin Research Paper of the Year from the Wisconsin Health Services Research Conference in Madison. The Association for Medical Education & Research in Substance Abuse recognized Dr. Fleming with the 1999 McGovern Award in Washington DC. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the profession, Dr. Fleming was elected in 2005 to the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine as the first physician scientist in the history of University of Wisconsin Medical School.
John Furton is Vice President of Purchasing & Merchandising for Family Video, the nation’s third largest video retailer, and President of Family Online, a subsidiary company focused on the evolving digital distribution of movies and games.
John graduated from Michigan Tech in 1987 with a B.S. in Computer Science and has since served on the Advisory Board of the College of Sciences and Arts and the fundraising committee for the Leaders for Innovation capital campaign. In 1999, John was honored as the university’s Outstanding Young Alumnus.
John started his career at Kraft Foods where, over several years, he attempted a few entrepreneurial ventures on the side. One of them, Peapod, Inc., took hold and John was able to quit his “day job.” As a co-founder of Peapod, John held several executive positions, including VP of Operations and Chief Information Officer. Over the next 10 years, the online grocery company grew to more than $150 million in sales, went public, and eventually was purchased by Royal Ahold, a $50 billion supermarket holding company based in Europe.
In 2001, John joined Sourcelight Technologies, Inc. as President & CEO. Sourcelight is a provider of marketing and merchandising services for media and entertainment retailers and a pioneer in the application of predictive modeling technologies for personalization and target marketing.
Professor Walter Kauppila graduated from Michigan Tech in 1964 with a B.S. in Physics. He attended graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, from which he received a PhD in experimental atomic physics. After post-doctoral work at the University of Colorado and a visiting professorship at the University of Missouri-Rolla, he joined the physics department at Wayne State University where he has been since 1972.
Professor Kauppila is the author and co-author of more than 200 publications, including 11 in Physical Review Letters, the most prestigious journal in physics. His work, which had continuous funding from the National Science Foundation since 1976, focuses on positrons, the antimatter particle equivalents of electrons, and their applications in atomic collision experiments and spectroscopy. He was active on scientific organizing and nominating committees for national and international workshops and societies.
In addition to his considerable body of research and scholarship, Professor Kauppila always enjoyed teaching and explaining physics concepts in a straightforward and understandable manner. He has given numerous talks and physics demonstration presentations to audiences from grade school children to an international FinnFest gathering (“From Manure to Antimatter: A Yooper’s Journey”).
For his many contributions and achievements, Professor Kauppila was recognized with being named a Fellow of the American Physical Society. His many recognitions include several Excellence in Teaching awards and the induction into Wayne State University’s Academy of Scholars.
Steve Misenheimer received a B.S. in Computer Science with an Application specialty in Electrical Engineering in 1981. While focusing on his degree, Steve maintained a strong interest in the fine arts, especially the Jazz Lab Band and Pep Band.
During his college years and throughout his career, Steve believed that software engineering offers an incredibly flexible discipline that can be applied to any number of products and applications.
Following graduation, Steve worked for Honeywell in the area of aviation electronics on such products as Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation systems and real-time image processing and recognition systems. In 1987, Steve joined Smiths Industries and led the development of products such as an integrated network of multiple computers for sonar processing, flight management systems, and control/display systems.
In 1992, Steve began working for Ascent Technologies, its sister company CriTech Research, and most recently their parent company Orion Systems. During this period, Steve has worked as Engineering Instructor, Development Engineer, Project Manager, Director of Engineering, and National Sales Manager. Applications range from automotive engine and transmission controls, IndyCar engine controls, brain tumor treatment systems, neo-natal database management, blood gas/chemistry instruments, bio-informatics, and molecular diagnostic products.
Steve has been involved with the Computer Science department in many activities and has been a promoter of Michigan Tech at high school events over the past several years.
Robert Rajewski graduated from Michigan Tech in 1981 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B.S. in Computer Science. After graduation, Bob was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force and assigned to NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, California. His responsibilities included development of computer control and data acquisition systems.
In 1984, Bob founded Embedded MicroSystems, later called Ascent Technologies. In late 1991, Bob moved the company to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where it experienced a period of rapid growth. By the end of 1993, Bob employed over 30 engineers working on software in automotive systems and taught an average of two software engineering courses per week on behalf of Motorola and General Motors. He has personally taught over 300 2-day to 5-day courses on many aspects of software engineering. For over a decade, Ascent provided software support for Delphi’s engine controllers used on the Indycar circuit. The software won the Indy 500 and achieved a 1-2-3 record-setting championship run on behalf of Roger Penske. Many automobiles on the road today achieve their communications between onboard computers courtesy of Ascent’s software.
In 1994, Bob founded CriTech Research, a company focused on software development in the medical device arena. By the end of 2000, the company had grown to over 50 engineers. CriTech is especially proud of its 100% first-time approval by the USFDA of all devices CriTech has worked on.
Bob is a member of many professional societies, including IEEE, SAE, ASQ, and AdvaMed. He served on AdvaMed’s Emerging Company Council and on MTU’s College of Sciences and Arts Advisory Board. He also founded already in 1991 the Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center in Sonora, California which applies a broad range of strategies and programs to protect the environment in a respectful, positive manner.
Adil Shafi graduated from Michigan Tech in 1986 with a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. In 1993, he also received an M.S. degree in Computer Science from Tech. He is president of SHAFIinc, the company he founded in 1991 in Houghton with $1,000.
Prior to founding SHAFI in Michigan, Adil worked and lived in Manhattan, Silicon Valley and Chicago. Since the opening of the main office in Brighton, Michigan, cumulative sales have exceeded $10 million dollars. A recent expansion opened an office in the Powerhouse in Houghton’s SmartZone. His company offers software solutions for vision guided robotics in the USA, in Western Europe, and Japan and is ranked number one in the world by Google for industrial bin picking applications. Adil has traveled to and interacted with more than 90 countries and states in the USA. He has working partnerships with 15 robotics companies, 75 systems integrators worldwide, and active affiliations with hundreds of manufacturing companies and technological innovators.
Adil has served on more than ten boards and committees since graduation, including the Advisory Board of the College of Sciences and Arts. He was recognized with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Michigan Tech in 1997 and by the trade publication “Advanced Imaging” in 2002 for his distinguished achievements. Adil has kept an active affiliation with Michigan Tech for more than 26 years. In addition to his Advisory Board role for the College, he has been a seminar speaker both for Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. He has helped develop practical industry working aspects for enterprise programs and is the youngest member among all alumni in Michigan Tech Fund’s Founders Society.
A resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan and graduate of Ypsilanti High School, Dr. Jentzen is a 1975 graduate of Michigan Technological University. He received a B.S. degree in biological sciences. While at Tech he also played varsity football and competed in wrestling. He was the 1971 Outstanding Freshman Athlete.
After attending Michigan Tech, he began his medical career attending the Autonomous University of Guadalajara in Mexico from 1975-77. In 1977 he attended Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. Following an internship at the University of Michigan, he completed a four-year residency in pathology at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis and a one-year fellowship in forensic pathology at the Medical Examiner’s Office in Minneapolis under the direction of Drs. Garry Peterson and John I. Coe.
Dr. Jentzen has been the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin since 1987. He is active in the National Association of Medical Examiners. Dr. Jentzen is active in numerous national, state, and local professional organizations relating to forensic pathology, and toxicology. He has developed a specialized training program in forensic death investigation.
Dr. Jentzen has academic appointments in the pathology departments at the Medical College of Wisconsin and provides fellowship-training programs in forensic pathology and forensic toxicology. He has an appointment as clinical professor in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Jentzen’s areas of special interest include the investigation of childhood deaths, pharmacogenetics and the molecular autopsy. Jentzen has been active in promoting consistency in death investigation, training and national standards for forensic pathology. Of particular interest, Dr. Jensen has published on a number of pediatric topics including: shaken impact syndrome, co-sleeping, viral surveillance, and retinal hemorrhages. He created a child death review team for Milwaukee County in 1990 and was instrumental in establishing a state team.
Prior to today’s induction into the Academy of Sciences and Arts, Dr. Jentzen has been recognized previously with Michigan Tech’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award in 1988, with the June M. Dobbs Award for Outstanding contributions for the Welfare of Children in 1996, with the Outstanding Service Award from the National Association of Medical Examiners in 2001, and with the Outstanding Service Award from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators in 2002.
Lina T. Taskovich earned a B.S. in Chemistry in 1952 from Michigan Technological University and an M.S. from the University of Minnesota. She is a retired research scientist from ALZA Corporation in Palo Alto, California.
A native of Ecuador, Taskovich distinguished herself from the outset of her career, when she set up the University of Minnesota’s first amino acid analyzer. She went on to prominence in the study of biological systems.
Beginning in 1957, she worked at Stanford University’s Physics Department, then the Biophysics Laboratory. She made significant contributions to cancer research in the Department of Dermatology of the Stanford Medical School.
In 1971, Taskovich jointed ALZA Corporation, as a senior biochemist, where her significant contributions to the understanding of drug permeation through human skin led to several patents, making the development of drug administration through “patches” possible. She is the co-inventor of six U.S. drug patents and the sole inventor of one. She was featured in Pfizer, Inc., advertisements in Newsweek and People magazines in 1994.
Throughout her career, Taskovich remained grateful to her parents for encouraging her to pursue an education in the scientific field when it was not considered appropriate for a woman.
Taskovich is a strong supporter of Michigan Tech, in particular the Department of Chemistry. She also established the Natale and Maria Louisa Tormen scholarship, a scholarship honoring her parents that allows deserving South American and Italian students to attend Michigan Tech. With the Natale and Maria Louisa Tormen scholarship, Ms. Taskovich is giving back to MTU, saying thank you for all that Michigan Tech has given her: “The education and training which I received at Michigan Tech helped me to excel in my profession, which in turn has helped me to help Michigan Tech.”
Ms. Taskovich has previously been honored with Michigan Tech’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
Richard Faleschini is Vice President and General Manager for American Medical Systems Gynecology (AMSG), a newly formed business unit of American Medical Systems. Rick joined American Medical Systems in November, 1999, as Vice President of Marketing and Sales and served in that position until he assumed his current role in 2003.
Rick has 30 years of experience in medical device sales, marketing, and general management. From July 1995 to August 1999, he served in various executive positions at Medtronic, Inc. in Minneapolis with responsibilities for several sectors of its cardiovascular businesses, including coronary stents, most recently as Vice President, U.S. Cardiovascular Health Care Systems Marketing. His previous experience also includes senior sales and marketing management responsibilities at Cordis Corporation from 1990 to 1995 in Miami Lakes, Florida, at Biomagnetic Technologies from 1985 to 1990 in San Diego, California, and at Advanced Technology Laboratories and ADR Ultrasound from 1977 to 1985 in Washington State and in Phoenix, Arizona, respectively. He helped both American Medical Systems and Biomagnetic Technologies go public.
Rick's impressive management and marketing skills became apparent when he served on the College of Sciences and Arts Advisory Board from 1995 to 1999. Rick, hosting the Board at the conference facilities of Medtronic, provided a great setting for a highly productive meeting. This meeting, the letter which was written to President Tompkins and the Board of Control, and an eloquent presentation which Rick gave to the joint advisory boards and which showed his commitment, candor, and compassion for Tech were influential in preparing and developing a new strategic plan and marketing as a key element for Tech's success in the future.
Rick earned a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and an M.S. in Physiology from Michigan Tech in 1970 and 1972, respectively. While a Student at Michigan Tech, Rick had a number of summer jobs that included being a Clinical Laboratory Technologist at St. Joseph's Hospital, an ambulance driver for Mercy Ambulance in Hancock and being on-call for the Houghton County Medical Examiners Office.
Dr. Robert Martin joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC in 1999 as Director, Division of Laboratory Systems, PHPPO. His responsibility is to assure quality laboratory testing in the United States and to provide leadership in the development of laboratory systems and quality assurance programs in developing countries. Dr. Martin was formerly with the Michigan Department of Community Health since 1973 where he was the Laboratory Director since 1991.
Bob graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1971, from Michigan Technological University with an M.S. in Biological Sciences in 1976, and the University of North Carolina with an MPH in 1977 and DrPH in 1979. He also served as Adjunct Associate Professor at Michigan State University where he taught undergraduate medical microbiology.
Bob has brought to the CDC valuable experience in bridging laboratory science and public health action. He has held a variety of leadership roles in professional organizations, such as President of the Michigan Public Health Association from 1992 to 1993, Laboratory Division Chair of the American Public Health Association in 1987, President of the Association of Public Health Laboratories from 1995 to 1996, and a public health committee member of the Public Health Division of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Bob is also the past chair of the Public Health Division (Division Y) of the ASM. He currently serves on the Board of Councilors of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and is Executive Secretary to the Federal Advisory Committee - the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee.
Bob has also been active in many international projects, including World AIDS Foundation, Pan-American Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Border (Mexico-US) TB Training Initiatives, CDC Global AIDS Programs in India, Ethiopia, Thailand, Cambodia and Zimbabwe, and World Bank CDC/Indian Ministry of Health collaboration on development of an integrated disease surveillance program.
In addition to his dedicated service to many professional societies, Bob is the author and co-author of 27 publications and has given numerous presentations. His outstanding contributions to the Public Health sector and to the Clinical Laboratory Sciences have been recognized earlier by Michigan State with the College of Natural Science Outstanding Alumni Award.
Jan Olson transferred to MTU from Wayne State in 1970 and enrolled in Tech's new major, Technical Writing, after being introduced to MTU by her husband, Stan Olson, who was attending Tech's School of Business. Graduated cum laude in 1972, Jan and her husband were both hired by General Motors. Jan began her career at Buick Motor Division, as a Technical Writer for the engineering group. She was the first female college graduate to work for that division. Her career successfully progressed to include numerous promotions and a wide variety of responsibilities, including Interior Component Engineer Contact, Product Planner, District Sales Manager at Rockford, Illinois, Zone Organizational Manager at Houston, Texas, Sales & Engineering Manager at Flint, Michigan, and Assistant Zone Manager at Los Angeles, California.
After 13 years with Buick, Jan was recruited by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, in Los Angeles as National Market Planning & Administration Manager and National Advertising Strategy & Media Manager. In 1988, Jan joined Michelin Tire Corporation. She was promoted from Director of Advertising & Promotion to Vice President, Michelin Retail Tires, in 1990.
In 1992, Leo Burnett, an international advertising agency, recruited Jan as Vice President/Account Director for the Oldsmobile account. She also had exposure to all of the various marketing for many other products. In 1994, Jan became the international Vice President/ Account Director for The Rockport Company account where she traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America. During that time, she also completed successfully Northwestern's Kellogg Management Institute Executive Management Program.
In 1997, Jan joined AutoNation USA, as Director at New Vehicle Marketing in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The original concept was to create a new, more pleasant retail experience for the automotive shopper. When it appeared that concept was not going to be realized, Jan resigned and decided to retire. Currently, Jan dedicates her time as volunteer to Hospice, to Reach One Teach One, and to Take Stock in Children. Just recently, she was appointed by the Florida Attorney General to be a technical arbitrator for the Lemon Law.
Dr. Maki graduated from Michigan Tech in 1966 with a B.S. in Mathematical Sciences. After continuing his studies in Mathematics at the University of Michigan and earning an M.S. in 1963 and a PhD in 1966, he began a long and distinguished faculty career at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he began as Assistant Professor in the same year. He was a Fulbright Research Fellow at the University in Helsinki, a Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan and at the Claremont Graduate School. In 1979, he was promoted to Professor of Mathematics. Since 1998, he is the Chair of the Department of Mathematics at Indiana University.
His research efforts are directed toward mathematical modeling. His two main areas of studies are digital signal processing, especially as it relates to the study of algorithms for speech recognition by computers, and the mathematical aspects of simulation associated with the study of queues and with algorithms for linear programming. He has participated in over seventy interdisciplinary doctoral studies at Indiana University. As principle investigator or co-PI on 21 peer-reviewed grants, he was awarded more than 9 million dollars by either the National Science Foundation or the National Institute of Health.
Dr. Maki is also a dedicated teacher, teaching mathematical modeling especially to students in the social and life sciences and for math students planning to work in industry. He developed courses and course materials to teach mathematical ideas via teams working on real-world problems and directed NSF institutes for teachers. In his area of teaching and research, he published many original papers and three books among which is the first textbook on mathematical modeling, published by Prentice Hall in 1973. Dr. Maki is also sought-after speaker, with more than 60 colloquium presentations and invited talks. The names of the institutions speak for his wide-ranging appeal and national recognition: Purdue, Penn State, Harvey-Mudd, West Point, Brown, St. Olaf, Michigan, just to name a few.
Dr. Maki is a member of many professional societies. He served two terms as Governor of the Mathematical Association of America and was honored as first recipient of the Rothrock Faculty Teaching Award in Mathematics.
Dr. Matheson graduated from Michigan Tech in 1973 with a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.S. in Mathematics. He continued his studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and earned an M.S. in Chemistry in 1975 and a PhD in Biophysics in 1978 under Professor Scheraga's guidance. His graduate studies were followed by two years as a NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University with Paul Flory. Dr. Matheson probably couldn't have chosen two better role models: Professor Scheraga is one of the foremost experts in the protein structure and modeling field, and Professor Flory was the leading scientist in the field of statistical thermodynamics of macromolecules who won the 1974 Nobel prize in Chemistry.
In 1980, Dr. Matheson began what turned into an outstanding and distinguished career at the Du Pont Corporation, rising from Research Chemist in 1980 to Technical Manager, Strategic Technology Automotive Products in 1991 to Technical Manager for Strategic Technology, Performance Coatings, in 1997.
In addition to his administrative and managerial duties at DuPont, Dr. Matheson kept close ties to the university research community with visiting appointments at the University of Montreal in Canada and at the Australian National University in Canberra. The University of California in Santa Barbara named him The Robert Merabiam Distinguished Lecturer in Materials in 1987. Since 1999, he is adjunct professor of Chemistry at Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. In spite of increasing administrative duties, he has published 40 papers in the field of biopolymers, macromolecules, and other polymeric materials. He holds a patent in coating composition containing silane functionality.
Dr. Matheson is a member of the American Chemical Society, a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists, a member of the Scientific Committee for the International Conference in Organic Coatings, and since 1999, a CoEditor for the distinguished journal Progress in Polymer Science.
Dr. Songer received his B.S. in Biological Sciences from MTU in 1979. He graduated with highest honors with a 4.0 Grade Point Average and was tied for #1 rank in a class of 1600. He attended Medical School at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign and Rockford, Illinois where he earned his M.D. in 1983, followed by a four-year residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago and one-year spinal fellowship at Northwestern University in Evanston.
Since 1989, Dr. Songer is a practicing orthopaedic surgeon at Marquette General Hospital and Peninsula Medical Center in Marquette. In 1992, he founded Pioneer Surgical Technology and, over the last nine years, turned it into a full service, ISO 9001 certified, orthopaedic medical device firm. As CEO and President of Pioneer Surgical Technology, Dr. Songer made the company the world's leader in medical cable systems related to orthopaedic trauma, dedicated to researching, developing, and manufacturing specialized orthopaedic implants and instrumentation. His team targets specific surgical procedures that have proven difficult or problematic for both surgeons and patients and provides innovative and improved solutions for some of medicine's toughest problems.
Dr. Songer is a member of many professional societies, including the Marquette and Alger Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society, the Scoliosis Research Society, the North American Spine Society, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is the author of numerous publications and featured speaker at many conferences and workshops in the USA, Canada, Europe, and Malaysia. He is the holder of ten patents and has three more patents pending. Since 1989, he is Adjunct Professor at Michigan Tech and since 1990, he is Assistant Clinical professor in the Department of Surgery at Michigan State University.
Dr. Joseph Roti Roti graduated from Michigan Tech in 1965 with a B.S. in Physics. He continued his studies at the University of Rochester and, in 1972, earned a Ph.D. in Biophysics, followed by a postdoctoral year at the University of Florida in Biochemistry.
He was on the faculty at the University of Utah as Assistant and Associate Professor of Radiology until 1985 when he joined Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Since 1987, he is Professor of Radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine, adding to his titles Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Chief of the Section of Cancer Biology, and Associate Director of the Radiation Oncology Center.
His major research areas of interest are the cellular response to ionizing radiation, cell-cycle progression, and the effects of heat shock and of radio-frequency radiation. He showed that the intranuclear anchoring of DNA loops is different in radiosensitive and in oncogene transfected cells. He was the first to show that heat shock caused altered binding of nuclear proteins which inhibits DNA repair and DNA replication. And Dr. Roti Roti conducted the most comprehensive single study of the potential effects of radiofrequency radiation from cell phones! He published more than 120 papers and book chapters covering these areas.
Dr. Roti Roti serves as Associate Editor for Radiation Research, Cell and Tissue Kinetics, Cancer Research. Other examples of his scientific leadership include service as Councilor for the Radiation Research Society, service as Councilor and President of the Cell Proliferation Society, and the North American Hyperthermia Society. He also served as President of the 9th International Congress of Hyperthermic Oncology and is an active reviewer for the major granting agencies in his field, both at the national and international level.
Dr. Urban received his B.S. degree in 1979 in Material Science and Chemistry from the University of Mining and Metallurgy in Cracow, Poland. He earned his Ph.D. degree in Solid State Chemistry with Professor Bahne Cornilsen in 1984, after joining the Chemistry Department of Michigan Tech with a master’s degree in Physical Inorganic Chemistry from Marquette University in 1981.
Since 1986, after spending two years as Research Associate in the Macromolecular Science Department at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Urban had a most distinguished academic career at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, rising to the rank of Professor in Polymers and Coatings in 1995. Since that year, he served as Chair of the Department of Polymers and Coatings and as Director of the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center in Coatings. This year, Dr. Urban joined the Department of Polymer Science in the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials at the University of Southern Mississippi.
His research efforts are directed towards the understanding of molecular level properties of surfaces and interfaces in polymers and coatings. Of particular interest are the application and development of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic methods for the analysis of surfaces and interfaces and non-equilibrium processes. Dr. Urban has published more than 110 refereed research papers, 15 book chapters, and he authored or co-authored seven books. He also holds 2 patents. His research funding over the last 15 years is approaching 7 million dollars.
Dr. Urban is the editor of the Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces Series and serves on the International Editorial Board of the Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology. Other examples of his scientific leadership include service as Conference Chairman for many international symposia and service as reviewer for all the major research agencies and journals in his field.
Dr. James Voogt received his B.S. in Biological Sciences from MTU in 1966. He earned a Master's degree in 1968 and a Ph.D. in 1970 from Michigan State in Physiology.
In 1971, after a post-doctoral year at the Department of Physiology at the University of California in San Francisco, he started his academic career as Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. After his promotion to Associate Professor in 1977, he joined the Department of Physiology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine where he is full professor since 1982. He has served as Associate Dean for Research and, since 1993, he is Chairman of the Department of Physiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
His major research area is reproductive neuroendocrinology with special emphasis on the regulation of dopaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus. Studies are done at the molecular, cellular, and integrative levels related to development, reproductive states, and aging. Support for his research from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health has exceeded 2.6 million dollars.
Dr. Voogt is a member of many professional societies, including charter member of the International Society of Neuroendocrinology. He served on the editorial board of Endocrinology and the American Journal of Physiology and is a reviewer for the major journals and granting agencies in his field. Dr. Voogt, an author of more than 90 research publications and book chapters, has been an invited speaker at universities, conferences and medical centers in the USA, Europe, and Japan. A sabbatical year as Visiting Professor at the Erasmus University in the Netherlands attests to his international recognition.
It is only fitting that 26 years, after Michigan Tech recognized Dr. Voogt with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award of 1974, we honor him tonight with the induction into our academy.
1999
Carl Adams received his B.S. degree in Applied Physics from MTU in 1962. He earned an M.S. degree in 1963 and a Ph.D. in 1966 from Purdue University in Industrial Administration. In 1966, he joined the Systems Analysis Group in the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon.
Since 1970, he has been a Professor in the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He has served as the Chairman of Minnesota's internationally recognized Information and Decision Sciences Department since 1983. In 1995-96 he was elected and served as Chairman of the University of Minnesota Faculty Consultative Committee.
He has contributed numerous articles to professional journals in the area of information systems and decision making. Carl Adams served as charter member on the Advisory Board of the College of Sciences and Arts from 1995 to 1997.
Dr. Apelgren graduated from MTU with a B.S. degree in Biology in 1970. He went on to Medical School at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1974 followed by a one year rotating internship at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor.
He received residency training in surgery at the University of California Davis from 1976 to 1980 and went on to do further training in surgical nutrition at Harvard from 1981 to 1983. He was on the faculty at West Virginia University School of Medicine from 1983 to 1988 and came to Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Department of Surgery in 1988 where he continues to serve.
Dr. Apelgren was promoted to the rank of Professor in 1992. His academic interests include surgical nutrition, medical ethics, medical history, and endoscopic surgery.
Dr. Guenther received his B.S. in Biology from MTU in 1975. He went to medical school at Wayne State University (M.D., 1979). From 1979 to 1983 he spent his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn.
Since 1983 Dr. Guenther is in private practice in Big Rapids. He also is a member of the medical staff of the Mecosta County General Hospital where he served as Chief of OB-GYN from 1986 to 1991 and as Chief of Medical Staff from 1989 to 1991. Dr. Guenther is President, Obstetrics & Gynecology of Big Rapids.
His Professional Society Memberships include: The American Medical Association, The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Michigan State Medical Society. He is a member of the Michigan Tech Fund Board of Trustees. Until now, Dr. Guenther helped some 6000 babies into this world.
Suzanne Jurva graduated from Michigan Tech in 1982 with a B.S. degree in Scientific and Technical Communication. She came to the film business after working first for Wisconsin Public Television in Green Bay. Other TV credits are with BBC, Fox, NBC, and MTV.
Suzanne is currently Feature Film Development Executive with Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Studios were she created and heads the research department for feature films.
Her film credits include Amistad, Men in Black, Peacemaker (with world premier in Houghton), Deep Impact, Zorro, and Saving Private Ryan.
In recognition for her film research work, Jurva was invited to the 1998 Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. Earlier, Michigan Tech honored her with the 1996 Young Alumni Award.
Dr. Kimball graduated from Michigan Tech with a B.S. degree in Medical Technology in 1952. Graduate work at Northern Illinois University (M.S. in Science Education, Ed.D. in Educational Psychology) and additional studies at the Bryn Mawr Institute for Women in Higher Administration and at the Harvard Institute for Educational Management, prepared her for a very distinguished career in the field of health science, administration, and management.
Her 18 years at Northern Illinois University include service as full professor and university administrator (director and chair) of allied health academic units. Since 1993 she is Executive Director of the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences in Chicago.
Paul Pietila graduated from MTU with a B.S. degree in Applied Physics in 1962. He earned an MBA degree in 1972 from Bowling Green State University.
His distinguished business career included 5 years with GM followed by 30 years at Ford. The first half of his career was spent in the areas of quality and reliability, the second part in manufacturing and general management. His responsibilities included managing plants in Basildon, England, where he was one of the first Americans to manage a European plant, and in Plymouth, Michigan.
He ended his career as Chief Operating Officer of Toledo Molding and Die, a Ford joint venture. Paul Pietila was a charter member of the College of Sciences and Arts and served as its first chair in 1995.
Dr. Shepherd earned his B.S. in Biology in 1969 from MTU followed by a B.S. in Pharmacy from Ferris State University in 1975, a M.S. from the University of Rhode Island in 1978, and a Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1980.
Currently, he is Professor and Chairman of the Pharmacy Practice and Administration Division and Director of the Center for Pharmacoeconomic Studies of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas.
His major research areas of interest are pharmacy management issues, prescription drug distribution systems, pharmacy services, pharmacoeconomics, pharmaceutical marketing, use of generic pharmaceutical products, the use of prescription medications and pharmacy services by the elderly, and Mexican drugs coming into the U.S.
He is an active public speaker, has over 70 publications, and has written six book chapters.
Dr. Cairns graduated from MTU in 1955 with a double major in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. After receiving a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley he pursued an illustrious career at the research laboratories of General Electric, Argonne National Lab, General Motors, and, since 1978, at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory where he is currently the Director of the Energy and Environment Division with a joint appointment as Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley. He has contributed more than 170 publications and 15 patents in the area of electrochemistry and energy conversion.
Dick Miller was one of the first MTU students to receive a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts in 1966. In 1970 he earned a masters degree in Industrial Administration. Mr. Miller pursued a distinguished business career with General Electric, serving as system analyst and later as manager of various divisions. He is currently General Manager of Quality and Compliance. Mr. Miller has strong ties to Michigan Tech. He is GE's on-campus recruiting coordinator, a member of the President's Club and a Trustee on the Michigan Tech Fund Board, serving as its secretary since 1996.
Dr. Moore graduated from MTU in 1962 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry. After obtaining his M.S. and Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Chicago he embarked on a distinguished career in mineralogy. Currently, Paul Moore is Professor Emeritus, Geophysical Sciences, of the University of Chicago. He has named 35 new species of mineral since 1965, thirteen of which he initially discovered himself. He is the author of 200 research publications and has named the most species of certified new minerals of any investigator in contemporary mineralogy.
After graduating from MTU in 1966 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry, Robert Nelson started a distinguished business career working for several chemical companies. He also did graduate work at Wayne State University. In 1974 he began selling stock plastic shapes and finished goods for an industrial plastics distributor. Abbot Plastics, of which he is half-owner, co-founder, and current President, was started in 1980. He expanded his company to include facilities in Rockford, Madison and Milwaukee.
Peri Ozker received a B.S. degree in Biology in 1974, followed by a M.S. degree in 1977. After leaving MTU she first supervised a clinical microbiology laboratory and then returned to graduate school in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan to receive a second master's degree in Epidemiology in 1983. She relocated to Cambridge, Massachusetts where she began a distinguished career in the biotechnology industry. She is currently Associate Director of Microbiology for Quality Control at the Genetics Institute, supervising a staff of more than 40 microbiologists and technicians in support of GI's biopharmaceutical product manufacturer.
Fred Ross graduated from Michigan Tech in 1943 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry. His remarkable career in the chemical industry started at Pure Oil Company in Chicago and led him to his current position of CEO and Chairman of the Board of Robonard, Inc. He contributed more than 40 articles to professional publications. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists and Recipient of the Board of Control Silver Medal for Outstanding Alumni of Michigan Tech in 1978.
Dr. Skochelak graduated from MTU with a B.S. degree in Medical Technology in 1975 and a M.S. degree in Biology in 1977. Graduate work at the Medical School of the University of Michigan (M.D., 1981) and as Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar at the University of North Carolina (M.P.H., 1986) prepared her for a very distinguished career in the field of primary care medical programs. She is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School and serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Her many honors include the 1997 Patient Care Magazine Award for Innovative Family Medicine Education.
Dr. Winans received his B.S. in Chemistry from MTU in 1971 and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Cornell in 1975. He joined the Chemistry Division at Argonne National Laboratory where he is now Senior Chemist. In his distinguished career in fuel science he chaired conferences, served on review panels for DOE, NSF, and universities, and he is on the editorial board of several journals. In 1988 he received the American Chemical Society's Henry H. Storch Award in Fuel Science.
Juris Doctor (1968) University of Michigan Law School - Partner in the law firm of Price, Heneveld, Cooper, DeWitt & Litton in Grand Rapids. Patent, trademark, and copyright specialist - member of MTU Board of Control, member of President's Club, life member of Board of Trustees of Michigan Tech Fund.
Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry, Wayne State University - distinguished career in corporate America - retired vice president and chairman of executive committee of Indium Corporation of America - nine patents.
Distinguished 40 year career in research and manufacturing at DOW Chemical Company - chief recruiter for DOW at Michigan Tech during the 1950's and 1960's - several patents - in charge of plant construction in Scotland and Japan.
M.A. in physical chemistry, Harvard - Ph.D. in chemistry, Syracuse - professor of chemistry at Michigan Technological University 1955 to 1984 - 1964 first recipient of Clair M. Donovan Award from Blue Key Society for service to the university - 1971 distinguished teaching award.
Professor of chemistry since 1937 at the University of California, Berkeley - 1964 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work on photosynthesis - president of American Chemical Society (ACS) and American Society of Plant Physiologists - Priestly Medal of American Chemical Society - 1985 Board of Control Melvin Calvin Medal of Distinction.
Retired president Culligen Water Conditioning of Washtenau County - distinguished career as metallurgist and service executive of water quality improvement industry - 1969 Donald L. Petit Award - 1983 Award of Merit Water Quality Association - member of President's Club.
M.S. (1962) and Ph.D. (1963) in Chemistry, University of Illinois - professor of cell biology, University of New Mexico - director, University of New Mexico Center for Non-Invasive Diagnosis - deputy director, University of New Mexico Cancer Center - distinguished academic career from Stanford, Penn State, Los Alamos to University of New Mexico.
Leonard C. Buckman is president and general manager for Rockwell WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, a joint venture between Rockwell Automotive and American Standard Inc.'s Automotive Product Group. He has held this position since July 1992.
Len joined Rockwell in 1977. He lead a highly successful career as chief engineer, director of engineering and product planning, and as vice president of engineering and sales.
A veteran of international technical and business negotiations in Europe, the Far East and South America, Len has led Rockwell's establishment of joint venture companies in Japan and Brazil.
Before joining Rockwell, Len held various engineering and management positions with General Motors Corporation and Ford Motor Company.
Len earned a bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics in 1960 from Michigan Tech. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Michigan and Wayne State. He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, was a founding member of the Heavy Duty Brake Manufacturers Council, and he is on the President's National Advisory Board for Michigan Tech.
In 1990 he was recognized for his outstanding accomplishments with the MTU Board of Control Silver Medal Achievement Award.
Donald G. Saari is Professor of Mathematics, Economics and Applied Mathematics at Northwestern University. He earned a bachelor's degree in Mathematics in 1962 from Michigan Tech, followed by a Master's degree in 1964 and a PhD in Mathematics in 1967, both from Purdue University.
After a year at Yale, he moved to Northwestern in 1968. Full Professor since 1974, he has been a member of the Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics. He also served as Department Chair of the Department of Mathematics. In recognizing his outstanding contributions to diverse fields, Northwestern University has bestowed on him not only the title of Professor of Mathematics, but also Professor of Applied Mathematics & Engineering Science, and Professor of Economics.
Don held visiting positions at prestigious universities in Europe and South America. He won several times the Outstanding Teacher Award. His research accomplishments have been recognized with the Lester R. Ford Award, the Duncan Black Research Award, and - his latest recognition - with the Chauvenet Prize of the Mathematics Association of America.
Don is the author of 4 books and more than 100 research papers. He serves on numerous editorial boards and professional committees. He is also on the Advisory Board for our Department of Mathematical Sciences. The department can indeed be proud of having an alumnus like him.
Shaw Walker graduated in 1937 from Yale. He is the retired chairman and CEO of Shaw-Walker Company, a former manufacturer of office equipment in Muskegon. Shaw is presently honorary chairman and president of the Shaw-Walker Foundation.
In the fall of 1982 Shaw Walker walked into former President Dale Stein's office and asked what he could do to help Michigan Tech. Dale responded that the university's most urgent need at that time was the development of its capability to afford a better education to its students in the arts and humanities. The rest is history. Shaw Walker's 1.5 million dollar gift started a fund drive, supported by hundreds of loyal and enthusiastic Tech graduates and friends, and resulted in the dedication of the Arts and Humanities Center in August 1985.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this building, of this very theater where we gather tonight, we could not think of a better person to be recognized as the first honorary member of our Academy. Shaw Walker's gift contributed significantly to the development of the arts and humanities and, therefore, to the growth and development of the College of Sciences and Arts. To bestow the award on Shaw Walker recognizes his pivotal role in making a Center for the Arts and Humanities possible.
Copyright © 2007. Michigan Technological University. All Rights Reserved.
Address questions about this page to Max Seel at seel@mtu.edu.