Working Through a Most Difficult Year

THE VIRGINIA TECH DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CONNECTION

WINTER 2008

Greetings from the Department Head Working through a most difficult year Dear Friends and Alumni while attending an elementary In the days after April 16, of the Virginia Tech Department German class in Norris Hall. our faculty and staff received of Chemical Engineering, Maxine was from Vienna, hundreds of phone calls, let- It is my pleasure to pres- Va. As a student, she helped ters, and e-mail messages from ent to you this latest edition of establish the Alpha Omega friends and alumni around the our annual newsletter, Connec- Epsilon sorority at Virginia world expressing sympathy and tion, and to tell you about some Tech for female engineering condolences. Each of these of the many things happening majors. She had worked as a was sincerely appreciated. in our Department. co-op with Eastman Chemical There is one act in particular This past year was obvi- Company and had accepted that I would like to share with ously one unlike any other at a permanent position with you, as I feel this exemplifies this University. Those of you W.L. Gore and Associates in the support we received. A few who attended Virginia Tech Maryland. She was a bright, weeks after the shootings, I understand that Virginia Tech enthusiastic, outgoing person received a large envelope from and the town of Blacksburg are who was liked by her class- the Department of Chemical very close-knit communities. mates and the faculty. All of us Engineering at The University While this closeness is one here continue to send our sin- of Colorado. Inside were 12 of the things that makes this cere condolences to Maxine’s checks from the faculty and place so special, it also makes family and friends. In honor of staff in that department made events like the tragedy of April her memory, our Department is payable to the Maxine Turner 16 so painful. working to establish a Maxine Memorial Scholarship Fund. As most of you know, one Turner Memorial Scholarship These checks, some as large of our seniors, Maxine Turner, for undergraduate chemical as $1,000, totaled over $3,200. Maxine Turner was killed during the shootings engineering majors. See Greetings, page 2

FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS Two new faculty join chemical engineering department in 2007

In August 2007, Luke years as an associate research engineer teaching design and he Achenie was appointed with Shell Development Company in Hous- will be a great help in our Professor of Chemical ton, Texas. In 1991, he joined the ChE rigorous process design Engineering (ChE). Pro- Department at the University of Connecti- sequence. At UConn he fessor Achenie received cut as an assistant professor, and was pro- received awards for both a B.S. in ChE from MIT, a moted to associate professor in 1997 and his teaching and research, Achenie M.S. in engineering sci- professor in 2004. His research interests including his election into Rajagopalan ence from Northwestern, are in the areas of process and product the Connecticut Academy and a M.A.M. in applied mathematics and design, uncertainty analysis, bioinformat- of Science and Engineering in 2007. a Ph.D. in ChE from Carnegie Mellon. After ics and systems engineering. Professor Padma Rajagopalan joined the De- receiving his Ph.D., he worked for three Achenie also has extensive experience partment of Chemical Engineering (ChE) as an assistant professor in January 2007. At Virginia Tech, she holds appointments in the School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (SBES), the Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute (MII), and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. See Faculty & Staff News, page 2 The VIRGINIA TECH DEPARTMENT of CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CONNECTION

Greetings - from page 1 This was an incredible act of our total faculty size to 13. (You course abroad. kindness that speaks to the can read more about these One of the things that I closeness of the academic new faculty on page one.) In particularly enjoy about this community. addition, two more faculty will position is meeting and hearing While we will never forget be joining us in 2008, however from our alumni. As explained those that were lost, to para- I will wait until the next newslet- later in the newsletter, we have phrase football coach Frank ter to tell you about these new recently implemented a new Beamer, we refuse to let the hires. online, web-based system that acts of a single individual, no The job market remains makes it easier than ever to matter how horrific, define our extremely good (chemical keep us updated about your University. It is with this spirit engineering graduates continue career and your life. I certainly that we move on, and I would to receive the highest starting hope that you will take a few like to use the remainder of this salary offers among all B.S. moments to drop us a line. And letter to briefly mention some graduates, both at Virginia if your travels bring you to the of the other happenings in our Tech and nationwide), and as a Blacksburg area, please feel Department. result, our enrollment numbers free to stop by. The Department of Chemi- are increasing rapidly. We have I wish each of you a won- cal Engineering continues to also developed a partnership derful 2008. be a place of great excitement. with the Technical University of With best regards, Two new faculty joined our Denmark for our summer unit program during 2007, Pro- operations laboratory and in fessors Luke Achenie and 2007, nearly 50 percent of our John Y. Walz Padma Rajagopalan, bringing students elected to take this Professor and Head Walz

Faculty & Staff News - from page 1 Prior to joining Virginia Tech Durrill received the award in on the cover. Professor Wilkes she was the PC Rossin En- Liu winner 2006). Professor Liu continues continues to be an active dowed Assistant Professor in of two awards to devote a substantial amount researcher in our Department, the ChE Department at Lehigh of time developing industrial- and maintains a busy sched- University. Professor Rajago- Profes- university partnerships for ule teaching short courses on palan earned her bachelor’s sor Y.A. Liu design projects for our under- polymer science around the degree from the Indian Institute received graduate students. country. of Technology, Kharagpur, both the India, and obtained her Ph.D. 2007 Dean’s from Brown University. Prior to Award for In- Wilkes Oyama joining the faculty at Lehigh, novations in featured in honored she was a research associate Teaching and at the Center for Engineering the College journal Professor Ted Oyama re- in Medicine, Harvard Medical of Engineer- ceived three significant honors School. In 2007, she was the ing Sporn Liu A recent issue of the jour- in 2007. First, he was named a Chair of the Women’s Initiative Award for nal Polymer Reviews (volume Japan Society for the Promo- Committee at the American In- Excellence in Teaching under- 47, issue 4) contained a tribute tion of Science Scholar. This is stitute of Chemical Engineers, graduate engineering instruc- to Professor Emeritus Garth a fellowship award that allowed and she is currently a member tion. The Dean’s Award winner Wilkes, complete with a photo See Faculty & Staff, page 3 of the Societal Impact Operat- is selected by the Engineering ing Council (AIChE). Profes- Honorifics Committee while the sor Rajagopalan’s research Sporn Award winner is selected focuses on cell and tissue by the Student Engineers’ CONNECTION engineering and polymeric Council. This is the first time Virginia Tech Chemical Engineering Department biomaterials, specifically on the that an engineering faculty John Y. Walz...... Department Head development of model tissue member at Virginia Tech has Jane Price...... Coordinator constructs, functional tissue won both awards in the same David Simpkins...... Designer units and the study of cell- year. This is also the second The Virginia Tech Department of Chemical Engineering Connection is a publication substratum interactions. time Professor Liu received for the alumni of the Chemical Engineering Department published by the Chemical the Sporn Award (he also won Engineering Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA 24061. in 1986) and the second year Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, in a row the award went to a national origin, religion, or political affiliation. Anyone having questions concerning chemical engineering faculty discrimination should contact the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office: 540-231-7500 (v), or 540-231-9460 (tty). (Adjunct Professor Preston

2 The VIRGINIA TECH DEPARTMENT of CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CONNECTION

Faculty & Staff HAPPENINGSHAPPENINGS ININ THETHE DEPARTMENTDEPARTMENT - from page 2 him to carry out research at New Advisory engineering graduates (B.S. level) was $60,054. the top national laboratory Board member in Japan, the National Insti- New Sophomore Seminar tute for Advanced Industrial The Department was Science and Technology. pleased to welcome Paul Course Second, he received the Baduini (B.S. 1972) to its Beginning in spring 2008, the Department Most Cited Author Award for External Advisory Board at has begun to offer a seminar course for sopho- 2002-2006 from Elsevier for its October 2007 meeting. mores to introduce them to career opportunities a paper published in 2003 After receiving his Vir- and current topics of interest in the chemical en- on novel catalysts. Finally, ginia Tech degree, Baduini gineering profession. A wide range of topics are he was named Editor of the joined Rohm and Haas included, ranging from career paths for chemical Journal of Catalysis. This as a process egineer and is the top journal of its field, engineers, to the future energy outlook for the Baduini group leader in Louisville, and the first-ranked among US and the world, to different process technolo- all 110 Chemical Engineer- Ky. He served in many gies, and corporate safety culture. We have been ing journals by the Institute different capacities during his career with Rohm pleased with the response from our industrial for Scientific Information and Haas, including time as general manager in constituents and their willingness to provide (ISI). Being named editor is Mexico and Brazil. From 1999 until his retire- speakers. For the first offering of the course, a recognition of authority in ment in 2003, he served as Rohm and Haas speakers have been included from several dif- the field. Company’s Vice President and Director of En- ferent industries: petroleum, chemicals, fibers, gineering. He is married with three children and pharmaceuticals, semiconductor, and consulting. Baird elected currently resides in Moorestown, N.J. Updates to Unit Rising undergraduate to AIChE post Operations Laboratory Professor Don Baird enrollments The Department has begun making a series was elected First Vice The popularity of chemical engineer- of significant improvements to its undergraduate President of the Materials ing is increasing rapidly. In 2006-07, 35 B.S. Unit Operations Laboratory located in Hancock Engineering and Science degrees were awarded. This is expected to Hall. Over the past two years we have added Division of AIChE, and will increase to approximately 50 for 2007-08, over new experiments in membrane separations, liq- become division chair in 60 for 2008-09, and possibly as many as 80 2009. He also gave invited uid/liquid extraction, gas absorption, and reaction for 2009-10 (judging from our sophomore class lectures at conferences kinetics. Upgrades to other existing experiments, size). Part of the increasing appeal could be the held in Asilomar, Ca.; Lake such as heat transfer, fluidization and distillation, starting salaries being offered to our students, Vyrnwy, Wales; Portoroz, have either been done or are being planned. Vir- which continue to lead the University. For Slovenia; Sonoma, Ca.; ginia Tech is one of the few chemical engineer- and also at Florida State example, a winter 2007 survey by the National ing departments that continues to teach the unit University. Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) operations laboratory course during the summer. found that the average starting offer for chemical Kiran celebrates Chris Moore Moore retires opening gifts at after 27 years anniversary her retirement party. Professor Erdogan of service Kiran will be celebrating the After more than 27 years of 20-year anniversary of his service to Virginia Tech (the last founding of the Journal of 14 in the Department of Chemical Supercritical Fluids. He has Engineering), Ms. Chris Moore de- also served as editor-in- cided to retire. Most recently, Chris chief of the journal through- served both as receptionist for the out this period. Professor Department, plus handled much of Kiran was invited to give the ordering. The faculty, staff and lectures at technical confer- students will greatly miss Chris’s ences held in Segovia, smile and fantastic sense of humor Spain; Iguassu Falls, Brazil; and wish her a long, healthy, and and Seoul Korea. happy retirement.

3 The VIRGINIA TECH DEPARTMENT of CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CONNECTION

35 B.S. degrees awarded The Department awarded and universities hiring our ChE scholarship winners 35 B.S. degrees during the graduates are: Celanese, Donald M. Cox Scholarship: Carrie Weaver, Sandra 2006-07 academic year. These Clemson University, Dow, Du- Hobson, Kevin Norfleet students either continued with pont, Eastman Chemical, Exx- Ralph Bogle Scholarship: Christopher Heitz, Scott graduate studies in chemical onMobil, International Paper, Poorman, Julia Cushen, Gregory James engineering or found employ- Marathon, Merck, Michelin, ment with an ever-broadening W.L. Gore, University of Cali- Gerhard Beyer Scholarship: Jason Goepel group of industrial employers. fornia Berkeley, and University Gavin Starmer Scholarship: Kimberly Wade, Yinhua Qi Some of the companies of Michigan. Andrew Britton Scholarship: Lindsey MacQueen John & Bernice Brooks Scholarship: Harold Metz 2007 American Chemical Society Michael & Lisa Kender Scholarship: John White Award goes to top ChE senior William E. Poorbaugh Scholarship: Allison Chambliss Each year, the Virginia Blue Ridge Section of the CITGO Scholarship: Daniel Cook American Chemical Society recognizes outstanding achieve- Felix Sebba Scholarship: Steven Friday ments of college seniors with the James Lewis Howe Award. In recognition of the top senior in Chemical Engineering at Warren Gentry Scholarship: Abasha Lewis Virginia Tech, this award was presented to Sarah M. Huffer, David Wallis Scholarship: Tighe Marrone who received her B.S. degree in ChE in May 2007. Eastman Award for Excellence in ChE: Abasha Lewis

4 The VIRGINIA TECH DEPARTMENT of CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CONNECTION

STUDENTSTUDENT NEWSNEWS Summer Unit Operations Laboratory AIChE chapter active In addition to hosting a number of social events, AIChE After 20 years at Univer- of Danish society. The students also organized a Chemical Engineering Career Forum in Sep- sity College London, the 2007 also took trips to a local power tember 2007. A representative from each of the 12 participat- summer unit operations labora- plant, a Danish pharmaceuti- ing companies gave a short, 10-15 minute presentation to a tory abroad program switched cal plant (Leo Pharma), and room full of sophomore, junior and senior chemical engineer- to the Technical University of Novozymes, the world’s largest ing students. In addition, each company was allowed to setup Denmark (DTU), located in producer of enzymes. a booth where they could interact with students individually. Lyngby (a short train ride from The laboratory facilities Dinner for the event was provided by Philip Morris. Copenhagen). The program support at DTU were outstand- The Virginia Tech student chapter of AIChE is selling was an enormous success, ing and, as can be seen in the maroon polo shirts embroidered with “Virginia Tech Chemical as 24 of our students elected photos below, the students Engineering.” The cost of each polo shirt is $20. For pictures to take the program abroad greatly enjoyed being in Den- of the polos and ordering information, please visit the Virginia (nearly 50 percent of the eli- mark. Tech AIChE website, www.aiche.org.vt.edu. gible students!). Scholarships for the The current officers for AIChE are: President - Kyle The four-week program students were once again Vaughn, Vice President - Kevin Norfleet, Treasurer - Randy consisted of seven laboratory provided from a generous do- Brown, Secretary - Kate Dennie, Social Chair - Adam experiments plus a report and nation of $15,000 from Milliken Jones, Chem-E Car Chair - Scott Poorman, Banquet Chair presentation on some aspect & Company. - Carrie Weaver, SEC Representative - Will Hix, SGA Repre- sentative - Will Hix, Webmaster - Jason Goepel

M.S. and Ph.D. degrees awarded during 2006-07 The Department awarded the following M.S. and Ph.D. degrees during the 2006-07 academic year: Anthony Gaglione, M.S. Multiscale Modeling of an Industrial Nylon-6 Leacher Advisor: Professor Y.A. Liu Paul Eric Mullins, M.S. Application of COSMO-SAC to Solid Solubility in Pure and Mixed Solvent Mixtures for Organic Pharmacological Compounds Advisor: Professor Y. A. Liu VT chemical engineering students exploring downtown Copen- Vikas Berry, Ph.D. hagen. Metal Nanoparticle Deposition on Biological and Physical Scaffolds to Develop a New Class of Electronic Devices At the Fredericksborg Castle in Hillerod. Advisors: Professor Ravi Saraf and Professor David Cox Beth Caba, Ph.D. (MACR) Solution and Adsorption Characterization of Novel Water-Sol- uble Ionic Block Copolymers for Stabilization of Magnetite Nanoparticles Advisor: Professor Richey Davis Brent Cunningham, Ph.D. (MACR) The Development of Compression Moldable Polymer Com- posite Bipolar Plates for Fuel Cells Advisor: Professor Donald Baird Sangil Kim, Ph.D High Permeability/High Diffusivity Mixed Matrix Membranes At the Little for Gas Separations Advisor: Professor Eva Marand Mermaid. See Degrees, page 6

5 The VIRGINIA TECH DEPARTMENT of CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CONNECTION

ALUMNI NEWS STUDENTSTUDENT NEWSNEWS ALUMNI NEWS David Manager of Advanced Fibers Omega Chi Epsilon D’Antoni and Composites for Honeywell (B.S. International. She is a founding This year Omega Chi Epsilon (the chemical engineering 1967) member of the Department’s honor society) has taken on new challenges: renovating the was Advisory Board, and is cur- chemical engineering student lounge, adopting a highway, elected rently serving a four-year term visiting local plants, and planning weekend trips and activities into the on Virginia Tech’s Board of for its members. College of Visitors. Its goal is to finish the first phase of the lounge renova- Engineer- tion by the end of the semester so that students can work in ing’s Dr. Kent Carpenter (B.S. a more comfortable environment. Thanks to a donation by Academy 1985) received the 2007 Otto of Excel- Haas Award for Technical Celanese, the carpet in the lounge was recently replaced. D’Antoni Celanese has also agreed to become the corporate sponsor lence. Excellence from Rohm and of the society. Mem- Haas Company. Carpenter is a The current officers for Omega Chi Epsilon are: bership in the Academy is senior engineer in the Special President – Lindsey Miller, Vice President – Carrie Weaver, reserved for “...individuals Materials Process Technology holding an engineering degree Division, providing research Treasurer – Mary Kate Dennie, Secretary – Allen Hughes, from Virginia Tech’s College of process engineering support for Publicity – Kristin Pfalzgraf, SEC Rep – Dan Cook, SGA Engineering who have made various business units. Recent- Rep – Kate Laflin sustained and meritorious ly, he was the lead engineer for engineering and/or leader- a continuous steam-stripping ship contributions during their process development and careers. Initiates have reached binder-odor study. Award recipi- the pinnacle of their profes- ents receive a $5,000 grant that sional achievements and will is donated to the University of normally have been alumni for their choice. Carpenter decided 40 or more years.” to have his award given to our In 1988, D’Antoni was department, where it will be named Senior Vice President of used to provide scholarships Ashland Inc. and the President for students attending the unit of Ashland Chemical Company, operations summer laboratory with annual revenues of $3 in Denmark. billion. In 1999 Ashland named him its Senior Vice President Dr. Vikas Berry (Ph.D. and Group Officer and a mem- 2006) has joined the Depart- ber of its executive committee. ment of Chemical Engineering From 2001 until his retirement at Kansas State University as Professor John Walz, ChE Department Head, is flanked by in 2004, D’Antoni also headed an assistant professor. In his Tom Long (left) and John McQuail from the Celanese Ac- Valvoline Oil with revenues Ph.D. work, Berry developed etate plant in Narrows, Virginia. On the wall between Walz exceeding $1 billion annually a humidity sensor based on and McQuail is a photograph of the plant in Narrows. and Ashland Paving and Con- nanoparticle-coated bacteria. struction Company, the largest This work has been highlighted highway paver in the U.S., with in such prestigious journals as Degrees - from page 5 revenues at $3 billion. Nature, Discover, and Science Vivek Maheshwari, Ph.D. (MACR) News. Dr. Berry was advised Large Area Electro-Optical Tactile Sensor: Characterization and Dr. Kirk Schulz (B.S by Professors Ravi Saraf and Design of a Polymer, Nanoparticle Based Tunneling Device 1986, Ph.D. 1991) was named David Cox. Advisors: Professor Ravi Saraf and Professor David Cox Vice President for Research and Economic Development Jane Hunt Austin Brian Mather, Ph.D. at Mississippi State University. (B.S. 1982) was elected to a Non-Covalent Interactions in Block Copolymers Synthesized via With over 150 million dollars in two-year term as chair of the Living Polymerization Techniques externally sponsored research, Plastics Industry Trade Associ- Advisors: Professor Garth Wilkes and Professor Tim Long (Chem- Mississippi State is among the ate. The Society of the Plastics istry Dept.) top 100 research universities Industry represents one of the Mary Minton, Ph.D. nationally. largest manufacturing indus- - Reactions of Halogenated Ethylenes on the Cr O (1012) Surface tries in the U.S. Austin is the 2 3 Dr. Lori Wagner (B.S. Global Business Director for Advisor: Professor David Cox 1982, Ph.D. 1987) was named DuPont Performance Elasto- Engineer of the Year by the mers’ Chloroelastomers Busi- Richmond Joint Engineers ness in Wilmington, Del. Council. Dr. Wagner is currently

6 The VIRGINIA TECH DEPARTMENT of CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CONNECTION

CLASSCLASS NOTESNOTES

1938 1947 with the Chlorine Institute in daughter, Katelyn Garber, Watson C. Warriner, Sr. • George H. Lewis retired after Arlington, Va. born in 2004. recently went on a cruise a 40 year career with Exxon. 1987 2002 through New England, Nova He is currently residing in • Kenneth W. Baity is Manag- • Jason Petrey is Specialties Scotia, and parts of Canada. Stratford, Ct. er, NSSS Systems Engineer- and Process Services Section He retired from Dupont Co. in • Melvin (Mel) Cohen is retired ing, with AREVA NP Inc. in Supervisor with ExxonMobil in 1981 where he worked in the and living in Palo Alto, Ca. Lynchburg, Va. Houston, Texas. Plastics Department, market- 1951 • Guido Paul Fetta is Direc- 2003 ing plastic molding compounds tor of Kerry Bio-science and to American industry. Warriner • Charles R. Poole, Jr. is re- • Kendra Michelle Hardy is tired from a position of Senior President/CEO of Cannae is a dedicated “railroad buff” Consulting and is living in Assistant District Engineer in and a member of the American Vice President of Mason & Norfolk, Va. Hanger and is currently living Doylestown, Pa. Association of Railroad Car 2004 Owners (www.AAPRCO.com). in Lexington, Ky. 1995 His article, “The Journey to 1956 • Dr. Jay Sayre is a Senior Re- • Jeremy Gustafson is an En- Destiny,” commemorating the gineer II with Nuclear Steam • Dale Rogers Gregory (Ph.D. search Scientist with Battelle 50th anniversary of the end of Supply Systems and is living 1966) retired from Eastman in Columbus, Ohio. WWII, was published in Trains in Lynchburg, Va. Chemical Co. in 1999 and is 1996 Magazine in 1995. He has living in Tarpon Springs, Fl. also produced a DVD, entitled • Jill Samuels Abrams is a The information above was “WWII Conversation with Wat- 1958 Marketing Program Manager taken from the mail-in response son Warriner,” which consists • David W. Abbott is retired with Agilent Technologies in cards that were received by of a one-hour interview describ- and living in Mountain Home, Santa Clara, Cal. the Department during the past ing his role in the production of Ar. • Dawn Kathryn Gibbs Garber year. For privacy reasons, we military explosives with Dupont, is an Engineer III with Do- have omitted specific contact 1959 including the Manhattan Project minion Resources Services, information (phone numbers, in Hanford, Wa. The DVD is in • James R. Fracker passed Inc. in Glen Allen, Va. Dawn addresses, e-mail addresses, the historical archives at the away October 14, 2006 in writes that she married Kevin etc.) Manhattan Project Museum Orlando, Fl. He is survived by Garber in 2000 and has a in Richland, Wa; the Atomic his wife Peggy and his daugh- Heritage Foundation in Wash- ter Linda Freeman. ington, DC; and the Dupont 1967 Departmental Seminars Hagley Museum. • Robert B. Fish is retired and We were pleased to have the Sangil Kim He currently resides in a following seminars presented Ph.D. Candidate, Virginia Tech retirement community in Wilm- living in Parkersburg, W.Va. in the Chemical Engineering Dr. Stephen Martin 1972 ington, Del., with several other Department during the 2006-07 Mass. Institute of Technology Virgnia Tech alums, including academic year. • Vivien M. Smith is an optom- Professor Martin Yarmush E. Turner Darden (class of etrist living in Lexington, Ky. Fall 2007 Seminars Harvard Medical School 1942). 1980 Professor Michael Wong Brian Mather Rice University Ph.D. Candidate, Virginia Tech • Bernard F. Plantz is As- Professor William Ducker sociate Patent Counsel with Professor Luke Achenie University of Connecticut University of Melbourne Johnson & Johnson in New Professor Orlin Velev Brunswick, N.J. Professor John O’Connell University of Virginia North Carolina State University • Timothy A. Wolk is a Terri- Benjamin Vaughn tory Sales Manager for Mine Dr. Chau-Chyun Chen Aspen Technology, Inc. Ph.D. candidate, Virginia Tech Safety Appliances and is Kun Liu living in Reston, Va. Professor Tim Lodge University of Minnesota Ph.D. candidate, Virginia Tech Four Virginia Tech alumi 1982 Professor Alex Katz Professor Ralph Colby living at the Methodist Coun- Pennsylvania State University • Martin A. Kazmierczak University of California, Berkeley try House in Wilmington, Del. Matt Wilding was recently named Senior Professor Todd Giorgio Photo was taken April 20, Ph.D. candidate, Virginia Tech Project Manager with Gannett Vanderbilt University 2007. Left to right: E. Turner Professor David Klinke Darden (ChE 1942), Watson Fleming in Fairfax, Va. Brent Cunningham Ph.D. Candidate, Virginia Tech West Virginia University C. Warriner, Sr. (ChE 1938); F. 1984 Quang Nguyen Hamilton Fish (1943); Macon Spring 2007 Seminars • David D. Dunlap is Vice Ph.D. candidate, Virginia Tech G. Stroud (1935) President of Health, Environ- Professor Rich Noble Beth Caba ment, Safety and Security University Of Colorado Ph.D. candidate, Virginia Tech 7 DEPARTMENT of CHEMICAL ENGINEERING NON-PROFIT ORG. VIRGINIA TECH U.S. POSTAGE 133 RANDOLPH HALL (0211) PAID BLACKSBURG VA BLACKSBURG VA 24061 24060 www.che.vt.edu PERMIT #28

Randolph Hall, the home of Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech.

Giving to Chemical Engineering Online Alumni As you can tell from this newsletter, this can assure you that there is never a lack of is an extremely exciting time for the Depart- needs. Information System ment. We’re hiring outstanding new faculty, Your support can help us make this Keeping in touch with fellow chemical our enrollments are rapidly increasing, and Department one of the pre-eminent chemical engineering alums is now easier than ever. the demand for our students has never been engineering programs in the country. In January 2008, the Department imple- greater. To make it as easy for you as possible, mented an online, web-based system for Not surprisingly, this growth has also we have added a link on our Department’s our alums. The system can be accessed placed substantial strain on our available homepage (www.che.vt.edu) that will direct via the Department’s homepage, www. resources. Support from our alumni is you to a form for making a gift online. The che.vt.edu (click on ‘Alumni Feedback’). invaluable in helping us meet the needs of link is entitled ‘Giving to Chemical Engineer- On this form, you can specifically state operating our program. We use this support ing.’ Under the section of the form entitled what level of privacy we should use with for such things as equipping the laboratories ‘Gift Information,’ you can designate exactly your information. This information will be and computer rooms of our new faculty, where your gift is to be directed. If you type published in our Connection newsletter. bringing researchers from other universities in ‘Department of Chemical Engineering’ in Of course, if you’d prefer to use paper to Virginia Tech to interact with our faculty the space entitled ‘Other Designation,’ you and pen, we accept that also. Just com- and students, and purchasing new experi- can be assured that your support will come plete the form below and mail back to us. ments for our unit operations laboratory. I directly to us and that it will be used wisely.

ALUMNI: WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU! The Chemical Engineering Department is always interested in hearing from its alumni. Please take a few minutes to complete the following. This information can also be submitted online at www.che.vt.edu (Click on “Alumni Feedback.”)

Full Name:______Name at VT (if different):______

Degree received at Virginia Tech / year:______

Other Degrees / Institutions: ______

Home Address:______

Phone: ______Fax: ______E-mail:______

Business Name:______

Current Position / Title:______

Please feel free to use a separate sheet of paper to provide any additional information about yourself or your career: The Department of Chemical Engineering would like to keep our alumni updated about the careers and lives Please mail the of other alumni, either via the Web or the Department newsletter. However, we also respect each person’s right completed form to: to privacy. Thus, please indicate below the level of confidentiality that you wish us to maintain with regard to your information: Chemical Engineering ___ Feel free to make all information provide on this form public. Department ___ Feel free to publish my name, year of graduation, and contact information only (the additional information about c/o Ms. Jane Price yourself or career will be kept confidential). 133 Randolph Hall ___ Feel free to publish my name, year of graduation, and the additional information about myself (your contact Blacksburg, VA 24061 information will be kept confidential). ___ Do not publish any information about me. or by e-mail at: ___ Other, please explain below. [email protected]