Dear colleagues, students, alumni, and friends,
I hope this message finds you all well and thriving in your endeavors. It is with great pride that I share some recent highlights that underscore the dynamism and excellence of our college.
We recently celebrated the induction of three distinguished alumnae into our Hall of Fame: John (Musapet) Prakash, Timothy M. Latimer, and Antonio J. Pietri. These remarkable individuals have not only excelled in their careers but have also significantly contributed to the engineering field, serving as inspirations for both current students and fellow alumni.
Additionally, I am delighted to recount the insights shared during the recent space lecture from alumnus Joseph N. Pelton, where we explored the privatization of space exploration, space tourism, and the Artemis Moon Exploration Program.
In research news, I am thrilled to announce that Cem Sarica, the Floyd M. Stevenson Distinguished Presidential Chair in Petroleum Engineering, and Eduardo Pereyra, the F.H. “Mick” Merelli/Coterra Energy Chair in Petroleum Engineering, were awarded a $1.25 million grant from the Department of Energy to spearhead innovative studies on the energy sector’s evolution. This accolade is a testament to the groundbreaking work being conducted within our campus and its potential impact on global energy solutions.
Moreover, TU has been honored by the Department of Defense with a $1.5 million grant to support research in materials for extreme environments as part of the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) Capacity Building initiative. TU is only one of two universities that will receive the funding to enhance the research infrastructure at TU and expand the university’s capabilities for conducting research in an area critical to energy and defense applications.
In a stride towards environmental sustainability, I am happy to share that mechanical engineering alumnus Matthew Crall (MS ’17, Ph.D. ’19), a materials development engineer and charter member of Spiritus, is at the forefront of developing innovative materials to capture and reuse CO2. This pioneering work has the potential to significantly impact our global efforts to combat climate change.
Each story is a building block in our college’s legacy of excellence, innovation, and forward trajectory. I am proud of our faculty and students have achieved together and excited about the future.
Regards,
Andreas A. Polycarpou
James Sorem Inaugural Dean