34 MILE SQUARE CITY YESTERDAY AND TODAY DEPARTMENTS A walk through Hoboken in photos 36-46 COMMUNITY FRONTIERS 2 PRESIDENT’S LETTER 37 DUCK DATA: STEVENS ALUMNI IN BRIEF 3 LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Vital statistics and interesting facts about 74 CAMPAIGN STORY our graduates 76 ALUMNI NEWS/CLASS LOGS 38 ACES HELPS LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD 77 SAA PRESIDENT’S LETTER Underrepresented minorities with STEM talent find support at Stevens 95 VITALS 40 SATURDAYS AT STEVENS Art Harper Saturday Academy introduces high school students to a world of possibilities in STEM FEATURES 42 A STEP CONVERSATION 4 150 YEARS OF EXPLORING NEW FRONTIERS Two generations share memories from the In this special anniversary issue, we celebrate esteemed, long-standing program frontiers explored by the Stevens community 44 FIRST-CLASS WOMEN 6 STEVENS THROUGH THE YEARS Stevens’ first female undergraduates reflect Highlights from the first 150 years of Stevens history on arriving at Castle Point 50 years ago 12-23 PERSONAL FRONTIERS 47-60 INNOVATION FRONTIERS 13 JAMES BRAXTON ’37 HON. D.ENG. ’87 48 12 STEVENS INNOVATORS AND GAME CHANGERS Building a more equitable world through Alumni who have made a lasting impact through affordable housing systems extraordinary careers 16 SHARING THEIR WORDS OF WISDOM 50 STALKING THE ‘GHOST PARTICLE’ Advice and insights from beloved Stevens The revolutionary work of Nobel Prize winner faculty and staff Frederick Reines ’39 M.S. ’41 Hon. D.Eng. ’84 18 CLOSE UP WITH AIMI SELA ’04 52 THE SCIENCE OF FINANCE Her journey from foster child to independent Stevens’ new fintech center will help filmmaker businesses meet real-world needs 20 12 OUTSTANDING STEVENS ATHLETES 53 PURSUING BREAKTHROUGHS Ducks who flew high on the court, in the Stevens’ School of Systems and Enterprises classroom and in their communities faculty are finding new applications for AI, machine learning and analytics in the healthcare sector 22 DREAM OF FLIGHT Pilot Kemp “Bud” Roedema ’60 reflects on 54 RESEARCH DRIVEN 37 years in the sky Stevens faculty seek answers to tough questions 24-35 CAMPUS FRONTIERS 58 STEVENS ON CLIMATE CHANGE Researchers seeking solutions, from flood models 25 SEVEN CASTLE POINT ICONS and warning systems to re-engineered satellites, Seven symbols of the Stevens campus sensors, batteries and buildings experience 61-73 THE NEXT FRONTIER 26 A WALK THROUGH OUR PAST, A LOOK TOWARD OUR FUTURE 62 STEVENS ALUMNI: 40 UNDER 40 Tracing the evolution of Stevens’ campus Promising young alumni making a difference through philanthropy in their industries and communities 30 LIFE ABOARD THE S.S. STEVENS 68 LEADING TOWARD THE FUTURE Remembering the beloved floating dormitory A talk with Stevens President Nariman Farvardin 32 TRUE TO THE RED AND GRAY 70 WHAT’S NEXT 150 years of student traditions Stevens faculty experts imagine the future of their fields COVER DESIGN: Leibowitz Branding and Design OPPOSITE PAGE: ILLUSTRATION OF STEVENS CAMPUS, 1908 ARCHIVES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, SAMUEL C. WILLIAMS LIBRARY How many of the photos on the front and back cover can you identify? Check your answers at Stevens150.com/cover PRESIDENT’S CORNER 150 YEARS OF MEETING CHALLENGES, FINDING SOLUTIONS — AND EMBRACING THE FUTURE At this extraordinary time in our university’s PHOTO: JOHN O’BOYLE Indicator is certainly fitting and inspiring. This 150-year history and as our country emerges issue explores various “frontiers” — inflection from the global coronavirus pandemic, I am both points where we have stood at the precipice of grateful for the community that is Stevens and uncharted territory and chosen to persevere. optimistic about our future. It looks at Stevens’ history and our current We will never forget the serious challenges of momentum — from research, innovation, and the recent past that have directly affected so many infrastructure to the very personal challenges among us. We have met these challenges with confronted by some of our alumni. The Stevens the signature qualities of Stevens: resiliency, in- story is best told through its people — our genuity, and a persistent drive to solve problems. alumni who have made their mark in a wide Like our extraordinary alumni, many of whom variety of industries; our faculty who have have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 inspired generations of students and developed battle, our community has truly exemplified our innovations that have advanced the frontiers of university’s motto, Per aspera ad astra. We have knowledge; our administration and staff, who worked to find solutions to novel problems while dedicate themselves to strengthening Stevens maintaining our focus on providing a stellar technological education for our students; and importantly, our students, who are the hope and for our students and conducting pioneering research, both in our labo- the promise of the future. ratories and remotely. You will meet extraordinary people in this issue, like the late James This moment will also be remembered as a part of our university’s Braxton ’37 Hon. D. Eng. ’87, the second Black student to graduate history — you will see it documented on the timeline that accompanies from Stevens and an innovator in affordable and equitable housing in this special, expanded sesquicentennial issue of The Indicator. This Chicago who marched with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; some issue both honors the past and looks forward to the future. Founded in inspiring members of the first class of women, who are marking the 1870 as the first college of mechanical engineering in the U.S., Stevens 50th anniversary of the admission of undergraduate women to Stevens; continues to celebrate this significant milestone through the 2020-21 faculty from across the university who are tackling some of the world’s academic year. Although we kicked off our celebration in February greatest challenges; outstanding students who are fulfilling their prom- 2020 with Founder’s Day events, our planned activities were scaled ise at Stevens; and young alumni who are already making a positive back significantly due to COVID-19 restrictions. I am hopeful that the impact on the world. continued vaccine availability across the country and the world will In these pages, you will also witness the amazing physical transfor- enable us to plan a joyous, in-person celebration soon. mation of the Stevens campus over the decades, as well as changes in our Despite a year of pandemic-related challenges, there is much good university’s hometown of Hoboken. We salute our benefactors whose gen- news to share from Castle Point. First and foremost, the measures we have erosity helps to ensure a stellar technological education for generations of taken to promote a safe and healthy campus have been working, with cam- students. And we consider the future of Stevens, and of higher education pus positivity rates relatively low to date. And, in spite of a global pandem- itself. (For additional stories that celebrate our university’s past, present, ic, enrollment is higher than at any point in university history. Sponsored and bright future, please visit Stevens150.com.) research awards are also at an all-time high, and our faculty are tackling I want to personally thank each member of our remarkable Stevens important problems of global significance. Construction of the University community and extend my profound appreciation for your support and Center Complex, the largest construction project in Stevens’ history, is for your response to an unparalleled set of challenges. I wish each of progressing apace, and this magnificent new campus hub is set to open in you good health and good fortune, and I look forward to seeing you on spring 2022. And, thanks to the pride, participation, and generosity of so campus in the near future. many alumni and friends, we have made incredible progress in our $200 million comprehensive campaign, The Power of Stevens. Across nearly Per aspera ad astra, all areas of the university, Stevens has made substantial progress on our 10-year strategic plan (now in Year 9, see stevens.edu/strategy), and we are preparing for our next plan, which will span 2022-2032. Indeed, Stevens is Nariman Farvardin prepared to continue its steep upward trajectory post-pandemic. President, Stevens Institute of Technology In the context of this unprecedented year and in honor of our [email protected] sesquicentennial anniversary, the theme of this special issue of The 201-216-5213 2 THE STEVENS INDICATOR LETTER FROM THE EDITORS SPRING/SUMMER 2021, VOL. 142, NO. 1 EDITOR Beth Kissinger [email protected] MANAGING EDITOR LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Erin Lewis [email protected] s we work to put the finishing touches on this issue, it is early April 2021. It has now been more CONTRIBUTORS A than 365 days since the COVID-19 pandemic first turned our world upside down. Though this Sharon Adarlo last year has been challenging, it has also reminded us of how much we have to be thankful for. A quick Joe Arney read through this issue’s alumni logs reveals the bravery and resilience of Stevens graduates. Some Stevens School of Business have pivoted to new opportunities, built virtual connections and taken up unexpected hobbies during Thania Benios quarantine. Others have worked and volunteered on the front lines, serving their communities in Stevens Division of University Relations healthcare professions or as essential service personnel. However you have been weathering the storm, Kyla Buckingham Schaefer School of Engineering and Science it is our sincere hope that you and your loved ones continue to be safe and healthy. Connor Durkin We are also thankful to have a cause for celebration — Stevens’ sesquicentennial. While many of Stevens College of Arts and Letters our anniversary events became virtual or have been postponed, we always envisioned this special Ted Houghtaling 150th anniversary issue of The Indicator as a celebration that you can hold in your hands, no matter Stevens Archives & Special Collections, Samuel C.