1998

December 8, 1998

Computer Scientist Receives $117,000 Grant from Hewlett Packard

Dr. Christopher Healey, assistant professor of computer science, has received an equipment grant from Hewlett Packard valued at $117,145.

The equipment, 25 Kayak PC Graphics Workstations, will be installed in the Multimedia Laboratory located in the Engineering Graduate Research Center on NC State University's Centennial Campus. Based on 450 megahertz PCs with 9 gigabyte hard drives and accelerated OpenGL hardware, the workstations are designed to support undergraduate and graduate courses in graphics, computer-human interaction and multimedia.

"This grant is very important to our department," says Dr. Alan Tharp, professor and head of the Department of Computer Science. "The Multimedia Laboratory needed state-of-the-art equipment and would have had to purchase similar equipment if this proposal had not been funded."

Healey, who initiated the proposal while at the University of California at Berkeley (UC-Berkeley), joined the NC State faculty in August 1998. He received his doctorate in computer graphics from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, in 1996. Prior to joining the NC State faculty, Healey conducted post doctoral research at UC-Berkeley.

November 4, 1998

Research at NC State Receives Innovation Grants from Merrill Lynch

NC State University and Dr. Elliot McGucken, assistant professor of physics at Elon College and post-doctoral research assistant in the College of Engineering at NC State, have received grants as part of the Merrill Lynch Forum¤s Innovation Grants Competition.

Open to doctoral degree recipients, the international awards recognize innovative research that has commercial applications. McGucken, who entered his dissertation on developing an artificial retina system that combines microchips, miniature cameras and tiny electrodes, was selected as one of two second place winners from the competition field of 213 entries from 16 countries. The second place entries receive a $20,000 grant, and the university affiliated with the research receives a $5,000 incentive grant from Merrill Lynch.

McGucken¤s research, conducted with Dr. Wentai Liu, professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State University, involves the development of a microchip that can be implanted into the eye to restore limited visibility to patients with retinal degeneration. Estimations are that, once the device is tested and made available to the public, it could restore limited sight to more than 10,000,000 people. McGucken received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

McGucken received his award at a dinner ceremony held at Merrill Lynch headquarters in New York, NY, in September. David Komansky, Merrill Lynch chairman and chief operating officer, hosted the event.

July 9, 1998

United Technologies Donates $45,000 to Support Engineering Programs

Earl Thompson of United Technologies Corp. presented a check for $45,000 to Dr. Sarah Rajala, associate dean for academic affairs, following a tour and luncheon meeting. The funding will support students and academic programs in the College of Engineering.

United Technologies Corp. has donated $45,000 to support academic programs, scholarships, fellowships and projects in the College of Engineering at NC State University. NC State is one of only 13 focus universities chosen by United Technologies to receive funding.

United Technologies representatives William Campbell, John Davis and Earl Thompson presented a check for the funding to Dr. Sarah Rajala, professor of electrical and computer engineering and associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering following a tour of engineering facilities and a luncheon meeting held June 10.

"This funding will be very important in helping us achieve excellence in engineering education," said Rajala.

The gift will support six undergraduate student scholarships, two women and minority scholarships, six graduate student supplements, the Benjamin Franklin Scholars program, the UTC Excellence in Teaching Award, a graduate teaching fellowship, UTC project and activity grants and an academic enhancement fund.

July 9, 1998

Microsoft Corp. Donates Software to NC State Computer Science Lab

Microsoft Corporation has awarded a "Microsoft Instructional Lab Grant" valued at $80,472 to the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University.

The grant will provide software licenses for the new Computer Literacy Laboratory in the Department of Computer Science.

"This grant will allow us to teach our students the newest software," said Dr. Robert St. Amant, assistant professor of computer science. "We will be at the front of software technology, and our students will have a better idea of what computers are capable of doing for them."

Located in Leazar Hall, the Computer Literacy Laboratory is a key component to a computer course designed for non-computer science majors at NC State University. The software will also aid research into making computers easier to use for non-technical users.

"We are pleased to continue our relationship with Microsoft," said Dr. Alan Tharp, professor and head of the Department of Computer Science. "These software licenses are very beneficial to our undergraduate program and will allow our students to explore exciting new technologies."

May 11, 1998

College of Engineering Holds Second Annual Endowed Scholarship Dinner

Over 170 scholarship donors and recipients gathered at the Brownestone Hotel for the Second Annual Endowed Scholarship Dinner held by the NC State University College of Engineering April 17. The annual event pairs student scholars with the people who have provided their scholarships for a meet-and-greet reception and dinner.

"This is a very popular event for both the students and the donors," says Ben Hughes, director of the North Carolina Engineering Foundation. "It gives the donors a chance to meet the beneficiaries of their gifts, and the students enjoy having an opportunity to thank the people who are helping them achieve their goals."

Each year the College of Engineering offers over 80 named scholarships from endowments to new and returning students. The College is currently participating in the Campaign for NC State Students, which is intended to increase the number of endowed scholarships offered in the college. So far, the college has received about $12 million toward a campaign goal of $13.4 million to be reached by December 1999. The North Carolina Engineering Foundation administers the majority of the endowed scholarship funds for the College of Engineering.

March 30, 1998

Fujitsu Supports Scholarship Program in the College of Engineering

Hisao Kanzaki, executive vice president for Fujitsu Network Communications, presents a check for $10,000 to College of Engineering dean Nino A. Masnari (second from left). Others attending the check presentation are (from left) Dr. Alan Tharp, head of the Department of Computer Science; Zdenek Holy, director of switching development for Fujitsu; Dr. Tony Mitchell, assistant dean for engineering student services; and Dr. Jack Brickley, associate head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University has received a commitment from Fujitsu Network Communications Inc. (FNC) to support a $20,000 annual scholarship fund for students in computer science and electrical and computer engineering. Hisao Kanzaki, executive vice president for Fujitsu, presented a $10,000 check representing the first installment to Dr. Nino Masnari, dean of the College of Engineering, on March 23.

"The College of Engineering is very fortunate to have generous corporate partners like Fujitsu who are willing to support engineering education at NC State by providing funding for scholarships," said Masnari. "Scholarships are an excellent tool for recruiting the best students, and the College will derive great benefit from the many opportunities provided by this program."

Fujitsu has been a long-time friend of the university and the state of North Carolina, beginning with the implementation of the North Carolina Information Highway.

"This scholarship program represents a continuation of our partnership with NC State," said Kanzaki. "It is an excellent way to extend a technology relationship, by helping to educate the technical work force of the future."

The scholarship fund will support one $2,500 scholarship to be awarded to a new freshman each year and seven $2,500 scholarships to be awarded to continuing students. Eligible students must be full-time and are selected based on academic achievement. The Fujitsu scholars will also be required to participate in extracurricular activities such as community service, athletics or innovative science achievement. The scholars will also have opportunities to learn more about Fujitsu's research and development.

"We want to make NC State's top students more aware of Fujitsu and what we do," said Kanzaki. "As always, the door is open at Fujitsu for successful computer science and engineering students."

March 12, 1998

Duncan Endows Professorship and Scholarship at NC State University

Hugh M. Duncan of Charlotte, retired president of Southern Precision Spring Co., has pledged $666,000 to endow the Dean F. Duncan Professorship in Mechanical Engineering in honor of his father. The gift represents the first time a professorship in the College of Engineering has been endowed by a single individual.

An alumnus of NC State, Duncan earned his bachelor's degree in industrial engineering in 1955. He has also pledged $100,000 to endow the Hugh M. Duncan Scholarship for studies in industrial engineering at NC State. Valued at $5,000 per year, the merit scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in industrial engineering.

"These two commitments by Mr. Duncan are truly remarkable," said Chancellor Larry K. Monteith. "Through the Distinguished Professors Endowment program by the state of North Carolina, individuals committed to the future of higher education are able to make the contribution necessary to endow distinguished professorships. We are grateful to Hugh for his generosity and commitment to the College of Engineering and to NC State."

The professorship will support a tenured faculty member in mechanical engineering at NC State. Matching funds of $334,000 from the Distinguished Professorship Endowment Trust Fund will be used to bring the total value of the endowment to $1 million.

The scholarship endowment is part of the Campaign for NC State Students, a volunteer-led campaign to raise more that $80 million in endowments for merit and need-based scholarships and fellowships at NC State. To date, more than $58 million has been pledged to the campaign by donors from across the country.

The endowment funds will be administered by the North Carolina Engineering Foundation Inc. For more information, contact the Foundation at (919) 515-7458.

January 29, 1998

Hewlett Packard Donates Equipment to NC State

Hewlett Packard Company has donated equipment valued at $250,727 to support undergraduate education initiatives in the College of Engineering and the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at NC State University.

The HP OmniBooks, Vectra and Pavilion PCs with options and accessories will be used in conjunction with NC State's Student Centered Activities for Large Enrollment-University Programs (SCALE-UP), which supports successful pilot programs in engineering and physics education. Currently, SCALE-UP supports the development of a new year-long, two-course freshman introduction to engineering sequence and a physics program that incorporates small group learning teams within large sections of courses. The projects are based on education models that incorporate collaborative, hands-on, computer-rich interactive learning environments. The equipment will be used to expand student access to computing systems.

"This equipment will provide an excellent opportunity for our undergraduate students to explore the latest in computer equipment and enrich their engineering and science education," said Dr. Tony Mitchell, assistant dean for engineering student services and visiting associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. "We greatly appreciate Hewlett Packard's support of educational programs at NC State."