The Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award

Walter Tilford Smith — 1966

This distinguished engineering alumnus joined the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company following his graduation from N.C. State in 1929 with a Civil Engineering degree. He has since risen through various positions to become Executive Vice President and Director of the company.

He has been a leader for 37 years in the company that employs more than 20,000 people and does over 250 million dollars worth of business each year. The company has built some of the world’s mightiest ships including the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and numerous nuclear-powered Polaris-armed submarines. He has attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Harvard Advanced Management Program.

He has served his alma mater as a director of the Alumni Association and as President of the Tidewater Alumni Club. In his community, he has served in leadership roles in United Fund and Red Cross affairs, as well as in a number of civic and social clubs.

This outstanding engineer in every way has exemplified the best in engineering responsibility, using his many talents for the improvement of his country, his community and his university.

John H. Isenhour — 1967

This distinguished alumnus graduated in 1933 with a degree in Ceramic Engineering. As President of the Isenhour Brick and Tile Company, Salisbury, North Carolina, he has been an active leader in endeavors to bring the brick and tile industry in the Southeast to a position of national prominence in manufacturing techniques. Through his professional activities, he has helped make North Carolina known as the “brick capitol of the nation,” producing more quality building brick than any other state.

He has served the University as Vice President of the North Carolina Engineering Foundation, Inc., and as a member of the Engineering School Advisory Committee. In addition, he takes interest in this university’s ceramic engineering graduates, offering them employment opportunities in his company.

He is a Fellow in the American Ceramic Society and a member of the North Carolina Sanitation and Stream Pollution Committee. He belongs to the National Board of the Structural Clay Products Institute and the American Society for Testing Materials. He has also served as President of the Southern Brick and Tile Manufacturers Association. Active in community affairs, he was Mayor of Salisbury during 1963.

James F. Kelly — 1968

A 1943 graduate in Civil Engineering, this outstanding alumnus became President of Aeroglide Corporation of Raleigh in 1956 when he was only 33 years old. The following year he was elected to the Young Presidents’ Organization, which recognizes an individual who, prior to his 40th birthday, becomes president of a company doing an annual volume in excess of one million dollars.

His company manufactures machinery and equipment for processing farm products. As an engineer with an interest in the development of engineering equipment for the agricultural processing industry, he has been a motivating force in his company’s establishing a plant in Emporia, Kansas; joining in a cooperative venture with Empresa Metalurgica Colombiana in Bucaramanga, Columbia; and acquiring American Machinery Corporation of Orlando, Florida, of which he is now Chairman.

Dedicated to his alma mater, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association and the North Carolina Engineering Foundation. He has served as Vice Chairman of the Alumni Association and as member and Chairman of the Advisory Council for the School of Engineering. He is currently President of the University’s Development Council.

Arthur P. Moss — 1969

This outstanding alumnus, a 1932 graduate in Chemical Engineering, has a long and fruitful career in the profession of Chemical Engineering. As Vice President of Production for the Chemicals and Plastics Operations Division of the Union Carbide Corporation, whose staff he joined in 1933, he is presently responsible for the operation of nine major chemical facilities requiring the services of over 1,000 technically trained people.

His early scientific and technological responsibilities involved the development of new chemicals for expanding world markets, as well as the design and operation of new processes and plants for their production. He has made contributions to the development of engineering talent, through active recruiting of young engineers and providing for them the working climate so necessary for their success.

He has for many years coordinated the Educational Aid Program of Union Carbide and has served in a liaison capacity in administering various Union Carbide scholarships and grants on this and other university campuses.

His technical achievements, his managerial skills, and his continuing efforts in enhancing education-industry relations have truly distinguished him as an energetic and contributing engineer in the service of his industry, his state, and his nation.

Henry M. Shaw Sr. — 1970

A 1922 graduate in Mechanical Engineering, this outstanding alumnus has a long and distinguished career in the quarrying, aggregate production, and concrete manufacturing industries. As one of North Carolina’s leading industrialists, he has helped to stimulate the state’s industrial growth and economy.

He is the Founder and President of North Carolina Products Corporation and an organizer of the Superior Stone Company, of which he was the President until his retirement in 1966.

He has kept in close touch with his alma mater and, through numerous gifts, has contributed to its growth generously. Through the years, he has had an active interest in students and their development. He has moved quietly behind the scenes, continuing to give his time and his support to worthwhile programs. He has invited engineering students to visit his manufacturing facilities, presenting each with a valuable hydraulic handbook. For student projects, he constructed test facilities for conducting full-scale hydraulic experiments.

In 1966, in recognition of his contributions to the growth of North Carolina and of his continuing interest in the activities of the School of Engineering, his family and friends endowed the Henry M. Shaw Lecture Series in Civil Engineering.

Katharine Stinson — 1971

The first woman to receive an Engineering degree from North Carolina State, this distinguished alumna received a B.S. degree in 1941 in Mechanical Engineering with an Aeronautical Option. That same year, she joined the Civil Aeronautics Administration (now the Federal Aviation Administration) where she has been employed ever since, amassing a distinguished record of contributions to her profession.

The first woman engineer to be hired by the Administration, she has been in charge of a variety of complex engineering assignments. Her versatile background as a well-qualified pilot and her knowledge of engine and airframe maintenance have made her an invaluable asset to this nation.

In 1962, she became Chief, Regulations and Procedures Staff, FAA, where she was in charge of the Safety Regulation Program for the Engineering and Manufacturing Division. In 1964, she assumed the greater responsibilities of Technical Assistant to the Division Chief.

She has devoted untiring efforts to the cause that women must play an ever-increasing role in the field of engineering. Active in the affairs of the Society of Women Engineers, she served as National President during 1953-55.

F. Perry Wilson — 1972

A 1936 graduate in Chemical Engineering, this distinguished alumnus has a long and notable career in one of the nation’s leading industries.

As Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Union Carbide Corporation, he is at the helm of an organization that employs 115,000 people in over 100 countries.

He joined Union Carbide as a chemical engineer in the corporation’s Plastics Operation. He spent a number of years with Union Carbide Canada Limited and later became President of the Union Carbide International Company responsible for all of the corporation’s overseas operations. In 1967 he became a Senior Vice President of the corporation with responsibility for all operations of the chemicals, plastics, and olefins divisions. He was elected a Director and President of the corporation in 1969 and to his present position in April 1971.

His outstanding record as a leader in his profession and as an able executive has brought recognition to his alma mater. Through his efforts, significant gifts have been made to the School of Engineering for strengthening its academic and research programs.

Fred H. Ramseur Jr. — 1973

A 1936 graduate in Chemical Engineering, this distinguished alumnus has over the years advanced steadily in his professional career to become a key executive in one of our nation’s leading industries. He has established a notable record in engineering, operation, and management activities.

Executive Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Cities Service Company, he is also President of Cities Service Oil Company, the North American Petroleum Subsidiary.

He launched his career following graduation when he joined Cities Service’s Junior Engineering Training Program. His early assignments were in engineering and plant operations in the Natural Gasoline Division, of which he was later named manager.

In 1966 he was elected Vice President and General Manager of the Natural Gas Liquids Group of Cities Service Oil Company in Tulsa, and in 1970 he became Group Vice President of Cities Services Company’s International Operations and President of Cities Service International, Inc., in New York, a subsidiary.

James Arthur Jones — 1974

A 1951 graduate in Mechanical Engineering, this distinguished alumnus has devoted over two decades to a career in the field of electrical power.

He has advanced steadily in his profession and today holds a key position in one of the nation’s leading power companies. He is Executive Vice President of Carolina Power and Light Company for Engineering, Construction and Operations.

His contributions to the engineering profession and his concern for the welfare of his fellow man were recently recognized when he received from the North Carolina Society of Engineers its Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award.

He joined CP&L in Raleigh as Senior Engineer. From 1954 to 1956 he served as Plant Superintendent at the company’s plant near Wilmington. He returned to Raleigh in 1963 as Superintendent of Power. Since then he has moved from Assistant Vice President to Vice President and Manager of Power Supply to Senior Vice President and Group Executive for Engineering and Operating. In 1971 he was elected a member of the company’s Board of Directors.

No Award Given — 1975

William D. Alexander III — 1976

This outstanding alumnus, with a significant record of achievement in the design, construction, and management of some of the world’s most complex engineering systems, received his professional degree in Civil Engineering in 1953. Following a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, which culminated in his assignment as Chief of the Facilities Design Office responsible for the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile Launch Facility Program, he began a notable civilian career upon his retirement as Air Force Colonel in 1962.

Among large projects he has managed are the design and construction of the launch facilities for the Apollo Project and the design and construction of the 299 BEV Proton Accelerator, the world’s largest atom smasher.

He recently retired as president of the New York-based engineering firm of Seeyle, Stevenson, Value and Knecht, Inc. He is currently responsible for the property acquisition, design, and construction of the $1.6 billion Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority System.

Dedicated to his profession and to furthering engineering education, he contributes significantly to the goals of N.C. State as a member of the Engineering School Advisory Council.

John S. Mayo — 1977

The distinguished career of this outstanding alumnus is marked with significant contributions to the development of electronics. Since joining Bell Laboratories in 1955, he has held several key positions and is now Vice President of Electronics Technology.

He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State in 1952, 1953, and 1955, respectively.

Notable among his career achievements are his work on the command decoder and switching unit for the Telstar Communications Satellite and his involvement in developing methods for transmitting picturephone signals. As executive of the Ocean Systems Division during 1971-1973, he directed development of electronic systems for use in the ocean. As Executive Director of the Toll Electronic Switching Division during 1973-75, he was responsible for the first electronic system to switch long distance telephone calls. Among his current responsibilities is that of directing the design and development of efficient, low-cost, high reliability electronics components and associated technologies for use in the telecommunications industry. He holds 12 patents and is author of numerous technical papers.

Charles E. Branscomb — 1978

This distinguished alumnus earned his B.S. degree in 1949 and M.S. degree in 1950 in Mechanical Engineering. His knowledge of engineering, high degree of innovation, and keen judgment in the decision-making process have placed him in a top position with the International Business Machines Corporation, whose staff he joined in 1950.

In his long career with IBM, this outstanding engineer has moved rapidly through a number of engineering posts to the position he now holds: Vice President of Development and Manufacturing, General Systems Division, Atlanta. IBM positions he has held include Director of Instructional Systems Development; President of the Systems Development Division, consisting of eight domestic and six European laboratories with more than 1,400 employees; Assistant General Manager-Operations, Data Processing Group; member of the Corporate Technical Committee, IBM’s chief internal technical advisory group; and Director of Engineering Programming and Technology. He holds an IBM Outstanding Invention Award and an Invention Achievement Award.

He has long, and significantly, supported his alma mater as a member of the Century Club. Through his accomplishments, he has brought distinction to the engineering profession and to North Carolina State University.

Paul N. Howard Jr. — 1979

This 1944 graduate in Civil Engineering is Chairman of the board of the Paul N. Howard Company, Greensboro, an engineering and contracting firm specializing in the construction of water and waste treatment facilities.

He has a long and distinguished record of service to the construction industry, to this university, and to his community. Among his company’s major projects is the installation of 70 miles of water mains in Abu Dhabi on the Arabian Gulf, a $52 million project.

He is national President of the Associated General Contractors of America in which he has been active for many years, serving on numerous committees and holding leading positions on local, regional and national levels. He was AGC’s representative to President Ford’s Economic Summit.

He has actively and significantly supported this university. He has served as President of the Alumni Association, as a member of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Engineering Foundation, and as President of the Guilford County NCSU Alumni Club. He has an abiding interest in the education of young people, and his company sponsors annual scholarships.

Edward E. Hood Jr. — 1980

This outstanding alumnus earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Nuclear Engineering in 1952 and 1953, respectively. Following service in the United States Air Force, he joined the General Electric Company in 1957 as Design Engineer in the Flight Propulsion Division. At General Electric, he has established a record of original achievements which placed him at the top of one of the nation’s largest corporations. He was recently appointed Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Officer of the General Electric Company.

Since his first assignment, he has held the following key positions: Head of the Supersonic Transport Project with responsibility for directing the design and development of this advanced technology engine; General Manager of the commercial Engine Division (in this assignment leading GE’s re-entry in the commercial airline engine market) and Company Vice President; Vice President and Group Executive with responsibility for the company’s International Group; Vice President and Group Executive of the Power Generation Business Group; and Senior Vice President and Sector Executive, Technical Systems and Materials Sector.

He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Throughout the years, he has maintained close ties with his alma mater through the Alumni Association, which he actively supports.

Marcus B. Crotts — 1981

A loyal and devoted alumnus of this university, he received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1953. He has distinguished himself as an outstanding mechanical engineer in private practice and as a dedicated supporter of engineering as a profession.

He is a partner of Crotts & Saunders Engineering, Inc., of Winston-Salem, a consulting firm recognized throughout this country and abroad for its impact on manufacturing processes through improved basic design methodologies in the machine tool and manufacturing industries.

He has been awarded the Society of Manufacturing Engineers International Award of Merit, the California Society of Professional Engineers “Archimedes Engineering Achievement Award,” and the University of Illinois Distinguished Graduate Award.

He has served as President of the NCSU Alumni Association and as a member of its Board of Directors. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Engineering Foundation, Inc., and as a member of the Engineering School Advisory Council.

He is currently serving as a trustee of North Carolina State University.

T. William Lambe — 1982

This outstanding alumnus, who earned his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1942, has made major contributions to the knowledge of earth structures, settlement control, foundation performances, and soil structure and behavior.

He is Edmund K. Turner Professor of Civil Engineering, Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a consultant in geotechnical engineering. He retired from MIT last year, after 36 years on the faculty.

During his tenure he served as Director of the Soil Stabilization Laboratory, Head of the Geotechnical Division, and Professor of Geotechnical Engineering. He developed the Integrated Civil Engineering project concept, combining applied research with engineering practice to improve design and to advance research. He has conducted pioneering research in soil mechanics and is author of Soil Testing for Engineers.

NASA has twice recognized his contributions to the Apollo Program for which he shaped the exploration project of the surface of the moon. He has also received the Norman Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Society’s Terzaghi Award for his geotechnical engineering contributions. He has been honored with election to the National Academy of Engineering.

Paul E. Green Jr. — 1983

This distinguished engineer earned his M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948. He is Staff Member of the International Business Machines Corporation’s Corporate Technical Committee, and his major interests are centered on speech and signal processing, network performance modeling, decentralized network architectures and protocols, and fault monitoring in large computer networks.

Prior to joining IBM in 1969, he was on the staff of the Lincoln Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This outstanding electrical engineer has made major contributions to a number of communications and radar innovations. He co-invented and developed the RAKE anti-multipath technique, performed early radar studies of Venus, and invented planetary range-Doppler mapping. He also led the Laboratory’s development of an experimental Large Aperture Seismic Array.

A Fellow of the American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, he has served as Chairman of the IEEE Information Theory Group. He is recipient of the 1980 Aerospace Pioneer Award. He was honored in 1981 with election to the National Academy of Engineering.

James A. Hackney III — 1984

This outstanding alumnus earned his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1961 and his B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering in 1962. He has attained eminent distinction in the direction of engineering work in his rise from Chief Engineer to President and Chief Executive Officer of Hackney Industries, Inc., Washington, North Carolina.

Under his leadership, this North Carolina corporation is developing a growing network of subsidiaries in several states in the manufacture of beverage truck bodies and trailers, electrical power generator controls and solid waste handling equipment. He has been a leader in the implementation of engineering innovations and high quality manufacturing technology.

He is a Registered Professional Engineer in North Carolina and Kansas.

He has made significant contributions to the University’s goals and activities. A member of the NCSU Board of Trustees since 1979, he is currently serving as Vice Chairman of the Board. He has been a member and Chairman of the School of Engineering Advisory Council and has served as Director and held offices in the Alumni Association and the North Carolina Engineering Foundation.

William F. Troxler — 1985

A 1952 graduate in Electrical Engineering, this outstanding alumnus began a one-man electronics operation in 1956 that today has grown into a more than $6 million international business— the Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc., of which he is Chairman and President. Following graduation, he was a research engineer with the U.S. Army Research Laboratories at Fort Belvoir. In his one-man operation he designed and fabricated complex test equipment for leading manufacturers and special devices for NASA for use in the early satellites.

In 1959, he began designing and building portable equipment for measuring the moisture content and density of engineering materials with radioactive materials. In 1962, his operation became a corporation, which is now a world leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of nuclear gauges for construction, roofing, and agriculture. Increasing international demand for its products has led to the formation of two wholly owned subsidiaries, Troxler International, Ltd., and Troxler World Trade Corporation.

He is honored for his dedicated service to his alma mater as a member of the Board of Directors of the Engineering Foundation, as Chairman of the Engineering School Advisory Council, and for his contributions to the industrial growth of North Carolina.

Donald H. Roy — 1986

This distinguished alumnus, who has made significant contributions to the nuclear power field, earned two degrees in Nuclear Engineering from this university: the B.S. degree in 1958 and the Ph.D. degree in 1963. He earned his M.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

His entire professional career has been with Babcock and Wilcox. His outstanding record of technical and managerial skills has led him to his present position with the company as Vice President of Engineering and Systems Development in the Power Generation Group at Barberton, Ohio. He is responsible for the Departments of Fossil Systems Engineering, Design and Equipment Engineering, Engineering Design Graphics, Systems Development and Integration, Automation and Advanced Systems, and Engineering Operations.

A leader in his profession, he was major technical contributor to the thermalhydraulic models used to evaluate the emergency core cooling systems of Babcock and Wilcox nuclear power plants. He served this university as a member of the Engineering Foundation, the Engineering School Advisory Council, and the Nuclear Engineering Industrial Advisory Group.

Eli Sternberg — 1987

One of only a few who have been elected to both the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Sciences, this distinguished alumnus earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from this university in 1941. He earned his master’s degree in Civil Engineering and his doctorate in Mechanics at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

His entire career has been spent in academia, where he has had a major influence on the fields of elasticity, thermoelasticity, and viscoelasticity through his significant fundamental contributions to these areas. He is currently Professor of Mechanics in the Division of Engineering and Applied Science at the California Institute of Technology.

When he received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from this university in 1963, he was cited for the achievements that brought him to a “position of eminence in the field of applied mathematics which few can match.”

His honors are many, among which are the Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, and the Timoshenko Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Edgar S. Woolard Jr. — 1988

Following a lifetime career of management and leadership positions with the E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, this distinguished 1956 Industrial Engineering alumnus was named President and Chief Operation Officer of the company in 1987. Responsible for all DuPont operations, he is also a member of the company’s Executive and Finance Committee.

This outstanding industrial leader has been described as one with “an affinity for people . . . an ability to work effectively with them . . . even when tough goals are met.” He has helped guide the company’s efforts to diversify into electronics, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and other high technology products.

In addition to his remarkable professional record, he serves on many boards and committees, making contributions that enhance the quality of life.

A staunch N.C. State University supporter, he is a trustee of the University and a director of the North Carolina Textile Foundation. He is a long-time supporter of the North Carolina Engineering Foundation and has served on the Advisory Council for the College of Engineering.

G. Smedes York — 1989

An outstanding graduate who earned his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1963 with high honors and his MBA degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1968 with the Dean’s Scholar Award, this distinguished alumnus has risen rapidly in engineering and business management to become one of the most dynamic leaders in the construction industry and the business sector of North Carolina.

In addition, he has made his mark in public service and is recognized for his contributions to the planning and development of Raleigh, Wake County, and the Research Triangle. From 1979-1983 he was Mayor of the City of Raleigh, having served also on the City Council. He is President of York Construction Co. of Raleigh, Inc., York Properties, Inc., and other corporations. His professional affiliations are many, including first vice president, Board of Trustees of the Urban Land Institute and member of the Institute of Real Estate Management.

Active in many charitable and educational organizations, he is immediate past president of the NCSU Alumni Association. He serves as a member of the Engineering Advisory Council, the Development Board and Executive Committee, and the Student Aid Association Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Watauga Club. Among his many awards is the 1977 Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Tuncer Cebeci — 1990

This distinguished alumnus received his doctorate in Mechanical Engineering in 1964. Soon thereafter he joined Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach, California, where he became Technology Advisor to the company’s Vice President of Strategic Business and Technology Development. He is also Chairman of the Aerospace Engineering Department, which he founded in 1988 at California State University, Long Beach.

A graduate of Roberts College, Turkey, with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, he received his M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University.

His research concerns boundary layer computation, turbulence modeling and interaction of viscous and inviscid flows leading to the development of accurate methods for high-lift systems and wing design. In 1982 he was named Senior Fellow in Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer as the first recipient of the McDonnell Douglas Corporation Engineering and Research Fellow Program.

He was named the first Distinguished Professor in the California State University System, and he received numerous awards including Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He also received the Presidential Science Award from Turkey.

C. E. Vick Jr. — 1991

This distinguished engineer received his M.S. degree in 1960 and his B.S. in 1956 in Civil Engineering. As President of Kimley-Horn and Associates of Raleigh since 1972, he has overseen his company’s continual expansion of its consulting engineering services and has been called upon for his broad transportation experience in areas ranging from planning and transit to parking and private development.

In his 30-year career, he has developed transportation plans for central city areas and directed master and functional planning for parking facilities in major cities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Florida. He also has provided traffic engineering consultation, conducted safety and operations studies, and contributed to the design of signal systems for cities throughout the Sunbelt. More recently, he has served as Kimley-Horn’s principal-in-charge for master development planning at NCSU’s Centennial Campus. He is a registered professional engineer in 15 states and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. A superb volunteer, he has been president of the North Carolina Engineering Foundation, Inc., for the last two years, during which time the Foundation’s fund-raising has reached record levels. He also has been instrumental in assisting the College of Engineering in obtaining funds for the proposed Alumni Association and was a key figure in the development of the Caldwell Scholarship Program.

James K. Ferrell — 1992

This outstanding alumnus has contributed significantly to shaping the course of engineering technology at this university through his energetic teaching, research, extension, and administrative duties. He received his doctorate in Chemical Engineering in 1954. He earned his B.S. and M.S., 1948 and 1949, respectively, in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri.

He joined the NCSU faculty upon graduation and left in 1956 to work in industry. Returning in 1961 as a full professor, he served as Chemical Engineering Department Head from 1966-80. In 1967 he was appointed Alcoa Professor of Chemical Engineering. Between 1980 and 1991, he served as Director of Energy and Environmental Research Programs in Engineering, Interim Head of Chemical Engineering, Associate Dean for Research, and Interim Dean of Engineering.

A pioneer in computer systems development, he helped initiate the Triangle Universities Computation Center, a system linking NCSU, Duke University, and UNC-Chapel Hill. More recently he provided leadership for development of Eos, the College’s state-of-the-art distributed computing system. He has made important contributions to energy conservation and pollution control, focusing his research on heat transfer, transport processes in porous media, coal gasification and gas cleaning, process control, and hazardous waste treatment and disposal.

Worley H. Clark Jr. — 1993

This outstanding alumnus earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from this university in 1956. He continued his education at Northwestern University and is a graduate of the Stanford University Executive Program.

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nalco Chemical Co., he heads one of the largest specialty chemical companies in the world. Nalco is also the world’s leading producer of water, process, and waste treatment chemicals.

Since he became Chief Executive Officer in 1982, Nalco sales have grown from $604 million to more than $1.3 billion in 1991. As Chairman of the Office of the Chemical Industry Trade Association, he is a strong advocate of trade policies that remove obstacles to free trade and encourage world leaders to reach agreements that foster global prosperity.

His strong leadership and exemplary career have brought honor to his company and to his alma mater.

Kent B. Foster — 1993

This outstanding alumnus earned his bachelor of science degree in Electrical Engineering from this university in 1965. He received his master’s degree in Management from the University of Southern California in 1969.

In 1989, he was elected President of GTE Telephone Operations. This is the largest business unit in GTE, with approximately 128,000 employees worldwide and with 1991 revenues of almost $16 billion. GTE is the largest local telephone company based in the United States, serving more than 20 million access lines in portions of 40 states, as well as in British Columbia, Quebec, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.

He is a member of the GTE Board of Directors and the GTE Policy Committee. He also serves on a number of additional boards of directors at telephone companies worldwide. His outstanding achievements not only bring honor and credit to this university, but they also serve as an example of excellence to our present and future students.

William R. Garwood — 1993

This outstanding alumnus earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1960. He received his M.S. in Industrial Management from the University of Tennessee in 1967.

As President of the Tennessee Eastman Division of Eastman Chemical, Co., this Cooleemee, North Carolina, native manages the largest single chemical plant site in the United States. In 1992, more than 9,000 employees of Tennessee Eastman Division produced 350 kinds of chemicals, plastics, and fiber products, with sales in excess of $2 billion.

Under his leadership, Tennessee Eastman established the world’s only commercial-scale “chemicals from coal” gasification facility. Included in the company plans is a commitment to act as an “exemplary steward” of the land, water, air, and raw materials. In recognition of its leadership, commitment, and achievements, Industry Week magazine named the company one of the ten best manufacturing firms in 1991.

Johnie H. Jones — 1994

This distinguished engineer earned his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1953. He is Chairman of the Board for both J.A. Jones Construction Company and J.A. Jones, Inc. Headquartered in Charlotte, J.A. Jones, Inc., operates 11 regional offices throughout the United States and in 8 countries across the globe.

The firm was founded in 1890 and during the past 50 years has built facilities in 60 nations from the Arctic to the Tropics. The company continuously ranks among the top construction firms in the United States. With a permanent staff of more than 1,600 employees and labor support of up to 5,000 people, the company’s current annualized volume is more than $2 billion.

He started his career with J.A. Jones Construction Company in 1965 as Vice President and Corporate Sales Manager. He is past President of the North Carolina Engineering Foundation, Inc., at North Carolina State University and Cochairman of the Charlotte Area Dean’s Cabinet for the NCSU College of Engineering. He is a Past President and a member of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

Donald R. Paul — 1994

This distinguished engineer earned his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering in 1961. He earned his M.S. and doctorate degrees in 1963 and 1965, respectively, from the University of Wisconsin. He holds a prestigious Regents Chair at the University of Texas at Austin, where he directs the Center for Polymer Research.

An expert in the fields of polymer blends, fibers, polymer membranes for gas separation applications, barrier materials, and polymer-concrete materials, he was appointed to the National Academy of Engineering in 1988 at the age of 49. An invited lecturer in 13 countries, Paul has received numerous awards and honors for his outstanding contributions to engineering education.

He also has held more than 20 appointments related to service for national professional societies, such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Chemical Society, and the Society of Plastics Engineers. He is currently a member of the National Materials Advisory Board and the editor of the leading Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research journal. He serves on the editorial boards of five other journals.

John J. DuPlessis — 1995

This outstanding engineer, a native of Winston-Salem, earned undergraduate degrees in Nuclear Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering in 1958 and a master’s in Metallurgical Engineering in 1960.

As a technological and business consultant for Crucible Materials Corporation, he searches the globe for new sources of strategic metals and technologies. During his 31 years with Crucible, he served in positions of increasing responsibility culminating with his tenure as president from 1985 to 1991.

While he was president, the company’s business doubled, and it increased its export market from less than one percent of total sales to over forty percent.

Research and consulting activities have taken him to the far corners of the world, and recently he returned from his third trip to Russia. Additionally, he is active in many professional organizations and civic activities. Highly regarded for his business acumen, he has served for the past seven years on the Advisory Council of the NCSU Department of Materials Science and Engineering and has been pivotal in fund-raising efforts for materials engineering scholarships.

C. Michael Walton — 1995

This distinguished alumnus received his master’s degree and Ph.D. in 1969 and 1971, respectively, in Civil Engineering. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Military Institute in 1963.

A Professional Engineer, he is chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and holds the Ernest H. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering as well as a joint academic appointment in the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs.

The recipient of numerous honors including Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Institute of Transportation Engineers, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1993 and was named the Transportation Research Board’s Distinguished Lecturer in 1994 for his career research accomplishments.

Actively involved in research related to transport policy and engineering analysis for approximately 29 years, he has contributed substantially to the transportation field through hundreds of publications and technical presentations.

Edward I. Weisiger — 1995

This outstanding 1954 Mechanical Engineering graduate is chairman of Carolina Tractor and Equipment Company, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has held that position since 1991.

As an active member of Charlotte’s business community, he has served as a director for Wachovia Bank and Trust Company in Charlotte for almost 25 years and is now a director for both the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Business Advisory Council and the Presbyterian Hospital Foundation.

This dedicated alumnus is past president of the Wolfpack Club, a past chairman of the Board of Trustees, and a past member of the North Carolina Engineering Foundation, Inc. Currently he holds memberships on the Development Board and in the Chancellor’s Circle and serves on the Trustees Endowment Fund Board.

A long-time contributor to his profession, he has been a member of both the Associated Equipment Distributors and Associated General Contractors since 1957, as well as a member of numerous other organizations.

Norvin A. Clontz — 1996

A dedicated N.C. State alumnus, this outstanding engineer earned his B.S. degree in 1965, his M.S. in 1967, and his Ph.D. in 1969, all in Chemical Engineering. His illustrious career with Milliken and Company began in 1969, and he is currently president of Milliken’s largest division — Fashion Apparel and Specialty Fabrics. He also holds responsibility for Corporate Engineering, Operations Research, Dyeing and Finishing Technical Services, and Corporate Environmental and Energy Management.

A member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, he is active professionally but also finds time to assist his alma mater. He serves on the N.C. State board for the Southeastern University and College Coalition for Engineering Education (SUCCEED) and on the Chemical Engineering Alumni Advisory Board at N.C. State. Among his operations’ many honors and awards are DuPont Fiber’s First Quality Partner Award, the Exxon Specialty Polymer Division’s Vendor of the Year Award, and the Chemical Manufacturers Association Best in Safety Award.

William F. Morris Jr. — 1996

This outstanding 1941 Mechanical Engineering graduate is founder and president of Morris and Associates, Inc., of Raleigh, North Carolina, a refrigeration equipment company in operation since 1949. A World War II veteran of the European Theater of Operations, he received the Bronze Star for service above and beyond the call of duty, and his unit, the 394th Bomb Group, was decorated for extraordinary service.

After returning from the war, he completed two years of postgraduate work at N.C. State before returning to private business. His company manufactures refrigeration products for the poultry industry and a line of ice makers for commercial markets. His continual development of new products has earned him nineteen patents, and in 1990 he received the Governor’s New Product Award for his thermal storage ice harvesters.

A registered Professional Engineer in North Carolina, he is a member of the North Carolina Society of Professional Engineers and a lifetime member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers. Graduating third in his class in engineering, he has been a longtime friend of the university, often hiring N.C. State engineering graduates for his business.

Robert H. Transou — 1996

This distinguished alumnus received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from this university in 1962 and a master’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1966.

He began his distinctive career with Ford Motor Company in 1962 as a research technician and engineer and is now the group vice president of manufacturing, Ford Automotive Operations. He heads up the largest of three activities in the global automotive organization and directs more than 235,000 people in 180 plants on 5 continents. Selected by the chairman of Ford to lead a group of management through an important structural change, his team developed a plan to achieve global organization and led the “Ford 2000 Study Team” in working out the overall pattern that Ford automotive operations would follow into the 21st century.

An active member of the Engineering Society of Detroit, he also serves on the Georgia Tech Advisory Board. He has been elected to two prestigious engineering honor societies, Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma.

Joseph P. Archie Jr. — 1997

This outstanding alumnus earned his BS degree in 1960 in mechanical engineering, his MS in 1962 and his PhD in 1968 in engineering mechanics from NC State. He also received his MD in medicine from the UNC-Chapel Hill in 1968. In addition to post-doctorate training in medicine, he has held various academic appointments including instructor of engineering at NC State, assistant chief of vascular surgery at Wilford Hall US Air Force Medical Center, and adjunct associate professor and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at NC State.

He is a vascular surgeon with Carolina Cardiovascular Surgical Associates in Raleigh. One of 78 vascular surgeons listed in The Best Doctors in America, 1994-1995, he is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Heart Association Stroke Council.

He is a dedicated NC State alumnus, serving as a member of the Graduate School Board of Directors. In the College of Engineering, he serves on doctoral committees and collaborates with researchers. He contributed significantly to the development of the Biofluid Mechanics Program, part of the new Minor in Biomedical Engineering.

Darrell V. Menscer — 1997

A dedicated NC State alumnus, this outstanding 1960 electrical engineering graduate of NC State retired as President and Chief Operating Officer of PSI Energy in 1990. After distinguished service in the US Air Force from 1952 to 1956, he began his career with Carolina Power and Light Company in 1960. In 1980 he left his post as Senior Vice President of Power Supply at CP&L to work with PSI Energy Inc. in Plainfield, IN, as president and chief operating officer and to serve as a member of the board of directors of PSI Resources Inc.

He was appointed a member of the Electric Power Research Institute’s Research Advisory Committee, the major policy-setting body for electric power engineering research and development in the US.

A leader of volunteerism at NC State, he has served as chair of the NC State Foundation Board, NC Engineering Foundation Board, the College of Engineering Advisory Board, the Century II Campaign Committee and the Executive Committee of the NC State Development Board. An avid Wolfpack fan, he is a member of the Wolfpack Club and participates in the Alumni Adopt-A-Scholar Program. He is a Caldwell Scholarship benefactor and a member of the Leonidas Polk Lifetime Giving Society and the Chancellor’s Circle.

Claude A. Verbal — 1997

This distinguished alumnus earned his BS degree in mechanical engineering from NC State in 1964. He was the third African-American to graduate from North Carolina State University.

His distinguished career with General Motors Corporation began in 1964 in the Buick Motor Division. He quickly rose through the ranks, and in 1977, he became the first African-American to hold an executive position in the Buick Motor Division.

He has served the company in many capacities and currently holds the position of plant manager of the Service Parts Operations for General Motors Corporation. He has been an active member of the Society of Automotive Engineers International since 1966. In 1996, he was the first African-American to be elected president of the society. He is a dedicated member of his community and his church, founding both the Flint Inner City Lions Club and the Flint Environmental Action Team. He also has served as vice president and president of the Detroit Conference of United Methodist Men. He has served on the Flint Community Development Board for the past 20 years, and he is currently involved in a Tech-Prep Consortium developing curricula with a school-to-work emphasis for grades K-12.

E. James Angelo — 1998

This outstanding alumnus received his BS degree in electrical engineering from NC State in 1939. After graduation, he worked for Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company in Louisville, Kentucky. He reentered academe in 1941 as an instructor and later an assistant professor at Tulane University in New Orleans. In 1947, he moved to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as an instructor and graduate student and received his SM and ScD degrees in 1949 and 1952 respectively. After serving as assistant professor at MIT for one year, he accepted an associate professor position in 1953 at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and was promoted to full professor in 1957.

While at the Polytechnic Institute, he served as a visiting lecturer in electronics at Cairo University and Ain Shams University in Egypt for a year as part of a Fulbright Commission Assignment. In 1968, he returned to industry, taking a position with Bell Telephone Laboratories in New Jersey. He is the author of three textbooks. His Electronic Circuits textbook is used worldwide and is one of the most popular texts of its kind in print.

James M. Davis Jr. — 1998

This distinguished alumnus earned his BS degree in mechanical engineering from NC State in 1958. He is a graduate of the Harvard University Advanced Management Program and is the senior vice president of Power Operations for Carolina Power & Light Company. Following service as a reserve officer in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1961, he became a test engineer in the Experimental Engineering Department of Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut. In 1965, he joined Carolina Power & Light Company as a heating and cooling engineer. He rose through the company holding various positions, including manager of Rates and Service Practices, vice president of Fuel and Materials Management, and senior vice president of Operations Support before taking his current position.

A leader in volunteerism, he serves as vice president of the North Carolina Engineering Foundation and has worked with the Campaign for NC State Students. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, and a former president of the Episcopal Laymen of the Diocese of North Carolina.

Allen F. Gant — 1998

This dedicated alumnus received his BS degree in industrial engineering from NC State in 1955. After graduation, he worked with U.S. Vitamin and Miles Laboratories, Inc., before moving into executive positions with Merck and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. In 1980, he was named vice president of Key Pharmaceuticals in Miami, Florida, and served on the Board of Directors of Key Pharmaceuticals of Puerto Rico, Inc. He was senior vice president and a member of the Board of Directors of Granutec in Wilson, NC. He has designed and built high technology pharmaceutical plants throughout the nation and directed the process development of transdermal sustained release products and prescription and over-the-counter drugs that sold worldwide.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the South Florida Manufacturers’ Association and is a member of the American Production and Inventory Control Society and the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers. He is active in the North Carolina Engineering Foundation and the Campaign for NC State Students.

Glenn E. Futrell — 1999

This dedicated alumnus received his BS degree in 1963 and his MS degree in 1965 in civil engineering from NC State. After graduation, he began his career as a staff engineer for Law Engineering and Testing Company of Charlotte and was soon promoted to branch manager of the Raleigh office.

In 1973, he formed Soil & Material Engineers (S&ME), a company that grew to more than 1,000 employees in 35 branches.

In 1986, S&ME was featured on the cover of Engineering News Record as one of the most successful engineering firms in the United States. At that time, S&ME had become the fifth largest geotechnical engineering company in the US.

He is active in a number of business interests and most recently has focused most of his energy on Pirate’s Cove, a resort development on the Outer Banks of more than 600 acres located in Manteo, NC. He assumed majority control of the development in 1990.

An active alumnus, he has been a member of the North Carolina Engineering Foundation’s Board of Directors since 1990 and served as president of the board in 1996-97. He has been a strong advocate for the College and University and an important solicitor for, and generous contributor to, the Campaign for NC State Students.

Franklin D. Hart — 1999

This distinguished alumnus earned his BS degree in 1959, his MS in 1961, and his PhD in 1965 in mechanical engineering from NC State. Before receiving his doctorate, he was appointed assistant professor of mechanical engineering at NC State. He established the Center for Acoustical Studies with funding from NASA and served as its founding director. He was promoted to full professor in 1970. His research in acoustics brought renown in academe, and his team’s development of the “Gorilla Goal” brought recognition among basketball fans.

In 1980, he was promoted to associate dean of engineering research programs, and was named the vice chancellor for research at NC State in 1983. In 1990, he was named interim provost and became provost in 1991. Six years later he was honored with NC State University’s Holladay Medal for Excellence. An important figure in the history of NC State, he co-chaired the team that originated the concept for the Engineering Graduate Research Center. In 1993, he was named president and CEO of MCNC. His leadership guided the center from an academic world to that of private industry. He retired in 1998.

Larry K. Monteith — 1999

This outstanding alumnus earned his BS degree in 1960 in electrical engineering from NC State. He received his MS in 1962 and his PhD in 1965 in electrical engineering from Duke University. He began his career as a technical staff member of Bell Telephone Labs in 1960 and, later, Research Triangle Institute while also serving as an adjunct assistant professor in electrical engineering at NC State.

He joined the University as an associate professor of electrical engineering in 1968 and was promoted to full professor in 1972. In 1974, he became head of electrical engineering.

In 1978, he was named dean of the College, a position he held for eleven years.

He served as interim chancellor of the University from 1989 to 1990, when he was named the eleventh chancellor of the University. Under his leadership, the University became an internationally recognized research institution, establishing partnerships with business and industry and developing the Centennial Campus, and the Engineering Graduate Research Center developed from a concept in 1980 to a reality in 1997.

His commitment to developing scholarships for students led to the Campaign for NC State Students, with gifts and pledges of approximately $100 million. He retired in 1998 and remains actively involved with the University.

Hugh M. Duncan — 2000

This loyal alumnus received his BS degree in industrial engineering in 1955. A native of Shelby, NC, he served in the US Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948. His career involved a wide range of engineering work for Industrial Piping, Inc., Pneumafil Corporation, Luwa Corporation, and Southern Precision Spring Co., Inc., which he purchased in 1964 and changed from financially troubled to profitable in one year.

Over the next 30 years, his many innovations in quality control, cost accounting, and the computerization of manufacturing operations made SPS Co., Inc. one of the most successful companies of its kind. He retired in 1994.

In 1997 he established an endowed professorship in mechanical engineering in honor of his father, Dean F. Duncan (BSME ’23). This was the first time that a professorship had been endowed in the College by an individual. He also endowed a merit scholarship in industrial engineering.

He has been a long-time supporter of Junior Achievement and United Way. He is a former member of Rotary International and is a sponsor of the Boy Scouts of America.

Michael D. Killian — 2000

This active alumnus is vice president and general manager of Ashland Specialty Chemical Company’s Foundry Products Division.

A native of Waynesville, North Carolina, he earned a BS degree in chemical engineering from NC State in 1968 and an MBA from Tulane in 1974.

He joined Ashland Chemical Company in 1974 and transferred to Ashland Inc. in 1976. In 1981 he was promoted to administrative vice president of Ashland Inc.’s APAC division. He returned to Ashland Chemical in 1983. In 1989 he was appointed vice president and general manager of the Petrochemical Division and was named vice president and general manager of the Foundry Products Division in 1996.

He is a member of several University associations, is on the board of directors of the Engineering Foundation, and is a key member of Chemical Engineering’s alumni industrial advisory board, where he was instrumental in the establishment and success of a five-year fundraising campaign to renovate Riddick Laboratories. He also is a member of the American Foundrymen’s Society and the Institute of British Foundrymen.

John T. McCarter — 2000

This distinguished alumnus is president and CEO of GE Latin America of Sao Paulo, Brazil. A native of Philadelphia, PA, he came to NC State from his adopted home of Hickory, NC, and received his BS degree in nuclear engineering in 1973.

He began his lifelong career with General Electric as technical director of installation for the nuclear steam supply system at CP&L’s Brunswick Nuclear Plant.

After serving in a series of developmental marketing positions in the power generation industry, he was a sales engineer for GE’s Power Generation Business. Later he rose through several positions for GE’s Power Systems in Schenectady, NY, ultimately serving as general manager of customer service and later GM of North America sales to electric utilities and power generators.

After taking over the Latin America operations for GE’s Power business, he became president and CEO of GE Latin America.

In 1997 he endowed the Mr. and Mrs. John T. McCarter Sr. Scholarship, named for his parents. He currently serves on the board of the Engineering Foundation and is GE’s executive liaison to the University.

Joseph S. Colson Jr. — 2001

This distinguished alumnus earned his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1968 and his master’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1969.

He began his career with Bell Laboratories and served in numerous positions until becoming president of the AT&T Affiliates sales division.

He was one of the founding leaders of Lucent Technologies, ultimately serving as president of International Regions and Professional Services until his retirement in 1998. Under his leadership, Lucent became one of the leaders of the industry.

He has remained active in engineering at NC State and serves on the Board of Directors of the NC State Engineering Foundation. He made a significant contribution to the College by establishing the Dr. Joseph S. Colson Engineering Scholarship in his father’s memory. He has received numerous honors, including an honorary doctorate of humanities from North Carolina A&T State University and honors from Black Enterprise magazine and Black Engineer magazine for his professional achievements.

Edward P. Fitts — 2001

A 1961 graduate in industrial engineering, this distinguished alumnus began his career with Sunoco Products Company, where he remained for 18 years, eventually becoming vice president of paperboard packaging.

In 1979 he led a management team that purchased a paperboard packaging operation from Sunoco and renamed the company Dopaco.

During his 23-year tenure as chairman and CEO, Dopaco grew from a company of 115 employees to a company of 1,500 employees across nine plants with sales of more than $300 million annually. Dopaco is well known in the industry for its strong commitment to environmentally friendly packaging and processes, earning the company the prestigious McDonald’s Earth Effort Award and awards from numerous other companies for its contributions throughout the years.

An active supporter of the Department of Industrial Engineering, he endowed the Edward P. Fitts Scholarship, one of the department’s largest.

Dade W. Moeller — 2001

The distinguished career of this outstanding alumnus is marked with significant contributions to environmental health and radiation safety.

He received his BS degree in civil engineering and his MS degree in environmental engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1948, and he received his PhD in nuclear engineering from NC State in 1957.

He served as a commissioned officer in the US Public Health Service from 1948 to 1966. While at Harvard University, he chaired the Department of Environmental Health Sciences and served as associate dean for continuing education. A member of the National Academy of Engineering, he served on the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the International Commission on Radiological Protection, and the National Research Council. He was a consultant for the World Health Organization and is past president of the Health Physics Society. He is a fellow of the American Nuclear Society and the American Public Health Association, a registered professional engineer, a diplomat in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, and is certified by the American Board of Health Physics.

S. Frank Culberson — 2002

This distinguished alumnus earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from NC State in 1960. He received an MBA from University of Houston in 1966.

A native of Siler City, he began his career with Shell Oil Company/Shell Chemical Company and later worked with the Pace Company.

In 1987 Culberson joined the Rimkus Consulting Group in Houston, Texas, where he now serves as president and CEO. The Rimkus Consulting Group is a forensic consulting company that performs engineering and business assessments concerning accidents; injuries; structural and mechanical failures; fires and explosions; energy, chemical, and mining problems; and hazards to human health posed by molds and environmental releases.

He has been instrumental in building the company from a small firm with eight employees in 1987 to its current size of over 300 employees in 18 offices, including more than 200 engineers. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Florida, Arizona and Texas and a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Ross W. Lampe Sr. — 2002

A 1951 graduate in chemical engineering, this distinguished alumnus has served as president of Guy C. Lee Manufacturing Company since 1959.

Guy C. Lee Manufacturing Company comprises Guy C. Lee Building Materials, an independent millwork and hardware distributor, and Lampe & Malphrus Lumber Company, an export lumber company. He has been a leader and innovator in the lumber and building supply industries for several decades.

He is part of a lasting legacy at NC State as the son of J. Harold Lampe, who served as Dean of Engineering from 1945 to 1962 and who was pivotal in the early planning of Research Triangle Park.

A native of Johnston County, North Carolina, he is an active member of the community, serves on several boards, and has been an officer in several professional associations.

This staunch supporter of education has served as chair of the Engineering Loyalty Fund in 1989 and chair of the NC State Forestry Advisory Council in 1988. In 1993 the Lampe family, led by Ross Lampe, established the J.H. Lampe Engineering Excellence Fund, an unrestricted endowment to the College of Engineering at NC State University in honor of Dean Lampe.

Jerry S. Lee — 2002

This outstanding graduate earned two degrees from NC State— a bachelor’s degree in 1963 and a doctorate in 1967, both in mechanical engineering. A native of Pamlico County, he began his career as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at NC State.

He joined Goodrich Corporation as manager of engineering science in the Engineered Products Group in 1979. He assumed his current position as senior vice president of technology and innovation in 1998. Goodrich has sales of $5.5 billion and is a worldwide developer and supplier of aerospace systems that span the range from aircraft landing systems to optics for space telescopes.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Aerospace Institute; president of the nonprofit research organization Glennan Microsystems Initiative, Inc.; and chair of the Industrial Advisory Board for the Technology and Innovation Campus at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

He serves on the advisory boards of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at both the Ohio State University and NC State.

Keith Collins — 2003

A 1982 graduate in computer science, this distinguished alumnus has served SAS Institute Inc., the largest privately held software company in the world, since 1984. He has held several leadership positions, including manager in the research and development host division, the first research and development strategist for the company, and vice president of research and development.

As senior vice president and chief technology officer for SAS Institute, he oversees operations for global research and development, customer support functions, and corporate information systems and plays an essential role in planning corporate strategy.

He has maintained a strong relationship with NC State through the years. A former NC State Engineering Foundation Board member, he is currently chair and a founding member of the advisory board for the Department of Computer Science. He has coordinated contributions from SAS Institute to NC State over the years and was instrumental in establishing the Center for Knowledge Discovery at NC State.

Anna Clyde Fraker — 2003

This distinguished alumna was the first woman to receive a doctorate in engineering from NC State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Furman University in 1957 and began her career at NC State’s Department of Engineering Research. When she received her master’s degree in metallurgical engineering in 1961, she became the first woman at NC State to receive an advanced degree in engineering.

During 1962-63 she pursued studies at the Institut fur Allgemeine Metallkunde und Metallphysik, Technische Hochschule in Aachen, Germany. After receiving her PhD in ceramic engineering in 1967, she worked at the National Bureau of Standards—now the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)— until 1996 as a research metallurgist. During her years with NIST, she actively promoted the careers of students and other scientists, especially women and minorities.

A native of Greeneville, Tennessee, she is acknowledged as a leader in the field of biomaterials. Her honors include the US Department of Commerce Bronze Medal in 1984 and election as Fellow of the American Society for Metals, ASM International, in 1993.

Gerald Davis Mann — 2003

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1952 and his master’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University in 1956.

A native of Newport, Carteret County, he began his career in 1956 as chief geotechnical engineer for Mobile Drilling and Engineering Company, Indianapolis, Indiana.

In 1958 he purchased the engineering and drilling services division of the company, which became the basis for American Testing and Engineering Corporation (ATEC Associates, Inc.). He served as founder, owner, president, and chairman of the company from 1958 to 1996. Under his leadership, ATEC expanded internationally to include 52 locations and more than $120 million annually in fees by 1990.

In 1972 he founded Mann Realty and Development Company, now known as Mann Properties, LLP. A dedicated sponsor of NC State, he is a member of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering advisory board and is chair or co-chair of several board committees.

Albert Carnesale — 2004

Currently the chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles, this outstanding alumnus received his bachelor’s degree from Cooper Union in 1957 and his master’s degree from Drexel University in 1961, both in mechanical engineering.

He earned his doctoral degree in nuclear engineering from North Carolina State University in 1966 and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters in 1997.

As a faculty member, he served as head of the Division of University Studies and as university coordinator for Environmental Studies.

A native of New York, he began his career at Martin Marietta Corporation. At Harvard University he held the Lucius N. Littauer Professorship of Public Policy and Administration, served as academic dean and dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, and was provost of the university.

An expert in national security, he represented the US government in high-level negotiations on defense and energy issues and served as a consultant to US government agencies.

Calvin H. Carter Jr. — 2004

This distinguished alumnus is a recipient of the 2002 National Medal of Technology presented by President George W. Bush.

A native of Statesville, NC, he received his bachelor’s degree in 1977, his master’s degree in 1980, and his doctoral degree in 1983, all in materials science and engineering. He served as a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at NC State from 1984 to 1987.

He is director of materials technology for Cree Inc., a company he cofounded in 1987. An expert in crystal growth, thin film deposition, impurity doping, and materials characterization, he has been instrumental in the perfecting and commercializing of silicon carbide semiconductor wafers for both the military and consumer markets.

His innovative research opened the doors for the development of blue and green light-emitting diodes, energy-efficient white light generation, high power solid-state microwave amplifiers, and high quality manmade gemstones.

Thomas R. McPherson Jr. — 2004

This distinguished alumnus earned his bachelor’s degree in 1976 and his master’s degree in 1977, both in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Davidson College in 1976 and an engineer’s degree from George Washington University in 1981.

A native of Mebane, NC, he began his career at Digital Communications Corporation.

He cofounded Pel Corporation and later led Network Equipment Technologies through its initial public offering in 1987. He then joined Hughes Network Systems and started DirecPC. In 1996 he formed Rapid City Communications. His most recent venture was launching Hatteras Networks Inc., where he was president and CEO. He continues to serve on the company’s technical advisory board.

He currently has a consulting firm based in Potomac, Maryland. A dedicated NC State supporter, he serves as Achieve! Campaign cochairman for the College and sits on the advisory board for the NC State Entrepreneurs’ Program.

Herbert A. Fishel — 2005

This distinguished alumnus earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1963. A native of Winston-Salem, NC, he is CEO of the Business of Motorsports and is recognized as one of the dozen most influential people in racing.

He began his career at General Motors and in 1969 joined the Chevrolet Product Performance Group.

In 1991 he was named Executive Director of GM Racing. His leadership in 1996 helped form the new open wheel series in racing known as the Indy Racing league.

Under his guidance, in 2001 GM became the first automaker in more than three decades to win racing’s Triple Crown in the same year: the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, and the GTS class win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He retired from GM in 2003.

In 2001 he participated in the Italian Mille Miglia driving a 1953 Ferrari 250 MM. He was awarded the Spirit of Le Mans award from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and drove the pace vehicle in the Indy 500 in 2003. He was inducted into the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Hall of Fame in 2005.

John Turner Whitted — 2005

This outstanding engineer earned his PhD in electrical engineering from NC State University in 1978. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1969 and his master’s degree in 1970 in electrical engineering from Duke University.

He is a senior researcher and area manager at Microsoft Corporation. Elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2003, he is known as one of the pioneers in three-dimensional computer graphics and the originator of the use of ray tracing for global illumination.

He began his career in the computer systems research laboratory at Bell Labs. In 1983 he co-founded NDL, a company that provides 3D graphics tools and engines for developers of video games, online 3D applications, and simulation and training applications. He was president of the company until 1996 and continued to serve as a director until NDL’s recent merger with Emergent Game Technologies.

From 1983 to 2001 he served as adjunct professor of computer science at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a named inventor on eight US patents for Microsoft. An active alumnus, he is a strong supporter of the departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Robert G. Wright — 2005

This distinguished alumnus earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering-construction from North Carolina State University in 1968 and an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1974. He is chairman of Kimley- Horn and Associates Inc.

From 1969 to 1972, he served as a captain in the US Army Corps of Engineers, and in 1974 he joined Peat, Marwick, Mitchell, and Company as an accountant. In 1979 he joined Kimley-Horn and Associates and was named president in 1992.

A dedicated alumnus, he is a member of the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors, serving as president of the board from 2002-04.

He was a generous donor to the college during the Achieve! campaign for NC State. He is also a founding member of the Lampe Society level of the Dean’s Circle and is an active member of the Economic Development Coalition 2000.

He is an active supporter of the college and the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering.

William E. Angelo — 2006

A native of Forsyth County, N.C., William E. Angelo received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with honors in 1942 from North Carolina State University. After graduation, he joined the General Defense Corporation in Point Pleasant, W.V., as a chemist. He later transferred to Edgewater, N.J., where he was a foreman in a sulfuric acid plant. Following transfers to East St. Louis, Ill., and Chicago, Bill joined Algonquin Chemical in Dubuque, Iowa, another sulfuric acid manufacturer.

In 1948, he moved to Bristol, Tenn., where he met and married his wife of 35 years, the late June Hicks, and began work at S.E. Massengill, a pharmaceutical company that was bought by Beecham in 1971. For most of his career, Bill led the engineering department overseeing major projects, including moving the penicillin compounding and packaging facilities from Piscataway, N.J.; remodeling the animal vaccine plant in Whitehall, Ill.; and managing the design and construction of an office building at the Bristol site. Bill retired in 1985 with 37 years of service.

In 1996 Bill and his brother, Jim, established the Ernest James and Ethel Hudgins Angelo Memorial Scholarship in memory of their parents. The endowment supports scholarships for four students pursuing engineering degrees with an interest in environmental engineering. He lives in Bristol, Tenn.

Charles R. Manning Jr. — 2006

A native of Erie, Penn., Charles Manning was head of the Materials Engineering Group in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Advanced Materials Research Program from 1958 to 1967.

He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and geology from Florida State University in 1958 and his master’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1967. He completed his Ph.D. in ceramic engineering at NC State in 1967 and joined the College of Engineering faculty as an associate professor in the Department of Mineral Industries, which later became the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He was promoted to professor in 1972.

In 1981 he left the university to develop his private company, Accident Reconstruction Analysis, Inc., an engineering consulting firm that performs failure analysis and accident reconstruction. He has remained involved with the university through serving as an adjunct professor and a generous supporter, funding an endowment that supports two students and establishing the Charles R. Manning, Jr. Enhancement Endowment Fund. He has also contributed unrestricted funds to support research. He lives with his wife, Peggy, in Raleigh, N.C.

Barbara H. Mulkey — 2006

A native of North Carolina, Barbara H. Mulkey has used her skills in structural engineering and marketing and business development to build a successful engineering firm, Mulkey Engineers & Consultants, which she started in 1993. She serves as chief executive officer of the firm.

She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from NC State in 1977 and 1984, respectively, and holds Professional Engineer licenses in six states. She was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to the NC Code Officials Qualification Board and was vice chair of the Raleigh Convention Center Steering Committee.

She is an active alumna, serving on the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors; the NC State University Board of Visitors; the Board of Trustees of the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science; and the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) Board of Advisors. She is also a past president and national director of the board of directors for the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina. She and her husband Jim are benefactors of the Mulkey/General Hugh Shelton Leadership Award. They live in Cary and have three adult children who also live in the area.

Raymond A. Bryan Jr. — 2007

Ray Bryan received his bachelor’s degree in construction from North Carolina State University in 1953. A Korean War veteran, he served in the U.S. Army from 1954-55. He is chairman of T. A. Loving Company, known for its beautiful construction projects on NC State University’s campus, including the Park Alumni Center and the Wendell H. Murphy Football Center.

In addition to running a successful business, Bryan has a long history of dedication to education, having served on the Board of Trustees for Campbell University and the Board of Trustees for the Independent College Fund of North Carolina. He is a past president of the Wolfpack Club, a past College of Engineering Dean’s Cabinet member, a former director of the NC State Engineering Foundation Board, a lifetime Alumni Association member, and a Peele Lifetime Giving Society member. He has served as president of the Wayne County Boys and Girls Club, and he was named a James E. West Fellow for his contributions to the Boy Scouts. He and the Bryan Family Foundation established an endowed scholarship in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering.

Wayne T. Day — 2007

Wayne Day received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1965. He began a 36-year career at John J. Kirlin, Inc., a Rockville, Md., mechanical contracting business, in 1970, and served as president and CEO of Kirlin from 1984 until his retirement in 2006. Under his leadership, Kirlin grew tenfold and opened offices in Baltimore, Md.; Raleigh, N.C.; Columbia, S.C.; and in Tampa, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Notable projects include the White House, U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The company was honored with a contract to help restore the Pentagon following the 9/11 attack.

Day served on the board of the Mechanical Contractors of America and was its president in 1998. He is a Holladay Lifetime Giving Society member, a Frank Seely Society member, and a lifetime Alumni Association member. The football field at Carter-Finley Stadium was named the Wayne T. Day Family Field in recognition of his generous support of the university. He and his wife, Mary Grace, established an endowed fellowship to benefit the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

F. Neal Hunter — 2007

Neal Hunter earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1984. He is a co-founder and former President, CEO, and Chairman of Cree, Inc. Hunter held numerous roles at Cree from 1987-2005. During this time, the company’s revenues grew to $400 million.

In 2005, Hunter co-founded LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc. (LLF, Inc.) to accelerate the use of LEDs in general illumination applications. LLF has since set world records for LED fixture efficiency and CRI at warm white color temperatures. Funded by employees, suppliers and distributors, LLF’s goal is to bring economical high-volume LED lighting solutions to world markets. Hunter also develops residential neighborhoods using custom builders, giving him a unique perspective for applications of LED technology in homes.

He resides in the RTP area of North Carolina and is an active supporter of UNC Hospitals, North Carolina State University, and the Food Bank of North Carolina. He is a Peele Lifetime Giving Society member and has established an endowment for unrestricted general support for the College of Engineering.

Bobby Ray Johnson Jr. — 2008

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science with honors from North Carolina State University in 1977. A native of North Carolina, Johnson has built a highly successful 31-year career in the networking industry, including a total of 16 years as chief executive officer for three companies and 14 years as chairman for two companies. He is the co-founder of Foundry Networks Inc., a provider of high performance routers and switches, and has served as its president and chief executive officer since May 1996. He also served as chairman from May 1996 to January 2007.

Under Johnson’s leadership, the company has earned more than 65 corporate and product awards, including “Top Technology IPO of 1999.” The San Jose, Calif., resident has generated significant support for North Carolina State University through personal gifts and donations from his company. He and his company provided major support to the NC State “Red Wolf Tracking Project,” which focused on the wireless network tracking of red wolves that were reintroduced in eastern North Carolina wildlife areas.

Gayle S. Lanier — 2008

This distinguished alumna earned her bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from North Carolina State University in 1982. She joined Nortel in 1991 and has held increasingly responsible management positions in technology, business line management, product introduction, and design and development. In her current position as vice president and general manager of Nortel Knowledge Services, she has global responsibility for Nortel’s strategic direction and performance for all training, documentation and certification programs.

At NC State, she has given both her time and considerable management skills to advance diversity within the College of Engineering, including her service as the Nortel representative on the NC State University National Minority Engineering Programs Advisory Board. In 2003, she and her husband established the Dwain K. and Gayle S. Lanier Scholarship Endowment to benefit engineering students. In 2007, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and was appointed to the NC State Board of Trustees by Gov. Mike Easley. She lives in Raleigh.

Scot Wingo — 2008

This distinguished graduate earned his master’s degree in computer engineering from North Carolina State University in 1992. After graduation, he worked as a software developer for a small start-up company before co-founding Stingray Software. The business grew quickly and was soon acquired by RogueWave Software in 1998. Wingo then co-founded AuctionRover.com, selling the company after just eight months to GoTo.com. In 2001, he co-founded ChannelAdvisor, which enables leading online retailers to maximize their product exposure across multiple e-commerce marketplaces.

Wingo has authored a number of technology and business books, including the popular “eBay Strategies: 10 Proven Methods to Maximize your eBay Business.” He was named Ernst & Young’s Technology Entrepreneur of the Year in 2004 and has been named one of the Triangle Business Journal’s “40 under 40.” He has established a generous endowment for the NC State Engineering Entrepreneurs Program and serves as chairman of its advisory board. He also serves on the board of the NC State Engineering Foundation and is a popular speaker at College events. He lives in Raleigh.

Johnny F. Norris — 2009

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering in 1971 from North Carolina State University. He attended NC State on a football scholarship and following graduation served for 10 years in the US Air Force.

After leaving the Air Force in 1982, he advanced rapidly to top executive positions with Duke Energy before joining the American Bureau of Shipping Group as president and COO and later American Electric Power as senior vice president of operations and technical services. In 2006 he became president and CEO of Fuel Tech, a leading technology company that specializes in air pollution control and efficiency improvements for power plants and industrial combustion units. Under his leadership, the company quickly experienced record-setting growth in revenue and profit and was ranked 12th in the 2007 Fortune Small Business List of America’s Fastest Growing Small Public Companies.

At NC State, he has mentored students, provided summer internships and employment opportunities, and has served on various advisory committees. He is a life member of the Alumni Association and a member of the Wolfpack and Varsity Clubs.

John W. Palmour — 2009

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in materials science and engineering from North Carolina State University in 1982 and 1988, respectively. Following his academic career, he co-founded what became Cree, Inc., a Durham-based LED lighting company that now has 4,000 employees worldwide. Palmour serves as Cree’s chief technology officer of advanced devices, which include wide band gap RF, microwave and power switching devices, and has been a member of the company’s board of directors since 1995.

During his career, Palmour has authored or co-authored more than 266 publications and is a co-inventor on 46 US patents and 135 corresponding foreign patents. He has played an active role in driving research collaborations with NC State engineering faculty and students and has provided generous support for the College and University. Palmour is a member of the University’s Leonidas Lafayette Polk Society, and he has endowed the Hayne Palmour III Scholarship in honor of his father, a longtime NC State ceramic engineering professor.

B.D. Rodgers — 2009

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1949 from North Carolina State University. Beginning in 1963 with one truck, a superintendent and $5,000 borrowed from his life insurance policy, he built a highly successful construction company, Rodgers Builders, Inc., that was named the 2007 Carolinas AGC “Best of the Best in the Carolinas Construction Industry.”

Rodgers is a leader in his business, his community and his state and has been a longstanding board member for numerous academic institutions and non-profit organizations. He is a recipient of the Golden Hammer Award from the Professional Construction Estimators Association, the 1999 Lucille P. Giles Award from Florence Crittenton Services, and the 2000 Executive of the Year Award from the Construction Financial Managers Association.

He is a generous supporter of NC State and the College of Engineering, endowing the B.D. and Patricia Rodgers Scholarship and the Rodgers Builders Student Travel Fund for the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering. He is a member of the NC State Leonidas Lafayette Polk Society.

Carlos D. Gutierrez — 2010

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1960 from North Carolina State University. In 1974, he founded Unisphere Chemicals, a company that specialized in the development and manufacture of surfactants for the textile and cosmetics industries. Gutierrez also co-founded G&H Industries, which managed multiple plants for DuPont. In 1992, he founded United Resource Recovery Corporation (URRC) to refine silver and recover PET from X-ray films. The company received its first of many US patents in 1993.

Gutierrez currently guides the recycling of PET in the bottle-to-bottle program and has been successful in the promotion of URRC technology to build production facilities in countries across the globe. In 2008 URRC formed a joint venture with the Coca-Cola Company to build the largest bottle-to-bottle polymer recycling plant in the world. The $50 million facility has a capacity of 100 million pounds per year.

Gutierrez is a member of the Wallace Carl Riddick Lifetime Giving Society and the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors and recently created the Carlos D. and Barbara Hoyle Gutierrez Endowed Scholarship.

Ross W. Lampe Jr. — 2010

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering in 1977 from North Carolina State University. After receiving his PhD in electrical engineering in 1983 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he began his career in the defense industry working with RCA’s Missile and Surface Radar Division, eventually serving as head of the technical effort to construct a large ground-based air defense system in Taiwan. He joined the cellular telephone industry in 1990 and advanced to become Ericsson’s Manager of RF Technology for North America. In 1998 he founded SMD Software, Inc., which has become a successful software business serving the commercial real estate industry.

Lampe and his wife, Ming-Mei, have continued the Lampe family’s tradition of philanthropy to NC State, supporting the J. Harold Lampe Engineering Excellence Fund and creating, with Ross Lampe’s father and brothers, the Ross W. Lampe Family Distinguished Professorship in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Their most recent gift established a distinguished professorship in the Joint NC State-UNC Department of Biomedical Engineering. Ross Lampe is also a member of the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors.

Stuart Edward White — 2010

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering operations in 1978 from North Carolina State University. In 1980, he founded Utility Translation Systems, Inc. (UTS), a successful remote meter-reading software company. He sold UTS to Itron, Inc. in 1996 and served as Itron’s chairman of the board until retiring in 2003.

White currently serves as chairman of the board of Field2Base, Inc., a technology company that uses tablet PCs, wireless communications and Field2Base software to support the mobile work force for a variety of industries. He is also the founder of White Ventures LLC, a private equity and commercial real estate development company. White serves as chairman of the board for GRIDiant, Inc. and on the boards of directors for several other organizations.

He is an outspoken ambassador for NC State, a member of the W.H. Page Lifetime Giving Society and the creator, with his wife, Kathy, of a Charitable Remainder Trust to benefit the College of Engineering. He also serves on the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors and is its immediate past president.

Marshall D. Brain — 2011

This distinguished graduate earned his master’s degree
in computer science from North Carolina State University in 1989. Nine years later, he founded HowStuffWorks.com, an award-winning website that offers easy-to-understand explanations of how the world around us actually works. Discovery Communications purchased the site for $250 million in 2007. Brain is the author of more than a dozen books and has been a guest on TV and radio programs nationwide. He also hosted the National Geographic Channel’s “Factory Floor with Marshall Brain.” Prior to his career as a successful entrepreneur, Brain lectured in NC State’s Department of Computer Science for six years, earning recognition as a member of the NC State Academy of Outstanding Teachers. Brain and his wife, Leigh, have contributed financially to NC State and have maintained close ties to the university. Brain has spoken at numerous university events, including NC State’s Entrepreneurs’ Lecture Series. He also was the emcee for the 2010 summit on the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges in Raleigh.

William H. Dean — 2011

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1988. Since 1997 he has been president and CEO of M.C. Dean, Inc., which has become a diversified leader in power engineering, applied electronics, information technology, controls systems, software, and systems integration for complex, mission-critical organizations. Under Dean’s leadership, M.C. Dean has not only increased and diversified its engineering competencies but also increased its total annual revenues thirty-fold. It has grown from a company of 100 employees in 1997 to 3,300 employees today.

The company has offices throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Dean and his company have been great allies of the College. M.C. Dean is an active recruiter of NC State engineering graduates, a consistent participant in the NC State Engineering Career Fair and an industry member of the NSF FREEDM Systems Center. Dean is also a member of the College’s Dean’s Circle and the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors.

Robert R. Womack — 2011

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with an aeronautical option from North Carolina State University in 1959. Following graduation, he served as program manager of advanced missiles systems at McDonnell Douglas, which later merged with Boeing. Womack then served as partner at McKinsey & Company, a global management-consulting firm. While in this position, he advised clients in areas of strategy, organization and capital investments and led a team that defined the organization and management plan for the NASA Space Transportation System, otherwise known as the space shuttle program. Womack later went on to serve as chairman, chief executive officer or president of four New York Stock Exchange companies, including Zurn Industries. He has also served on the Boards of Directors for 11 companies. Womack and his wife, Judith, have been generous supporters of the university’s Chancellor’s Circle as well as the College’s Dean’s Circle. They recently established the Robert R. and Judith H. Womack Scholarship in the College, and Womack delivered the commencement address during the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’s graduation this past spring.

Stephen F. Angel — 2012

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University in 1977. Since 2007, he has been chairman, president and chief executive officer at Praxair, Inc., a Fortune 250 producer and distributor of atmospheric, process and specialty gases and high-performance surface coatings. The company is the largest to be led by a College alumnus. Angel joined Praxair in 2001 as executive vice president responsible for the company’s businesses in North America, Europe and Asia, as well as its health care business. His work in the business community includes serving on the Boards of Directors of the US-China Business Council and PPG Industries.

Students have benefited from Angel’s commitment to NC State through his numerous on-campus speaking engagements, including the College of Engineering Welcome address and the Progress Energy Distinguished Lecture. He has generously supported the College, endowing with his wife, Lori, the Robert F. and Romaine S. Angel Scholarship, which generates income for students equivalent to full tuition and fees. He also provides annual support through the Dean’s Circle and has led strategic engagement efforts between Praxair and the College.

Jimmy D. Clark — 2012

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University in 1974. Clark is a registered professional engineer and owner and president of Guy M. Turner, Inc., a rigging, millwright, heavy transportation and crane services company headquartered in Greensboro, NC. Once a small rigging operation, Clark transformed the business into a diversified company with 12 offices in the United States and Canada.

A generous supporter of NC State, Clark established the Jimmy D. Clark Distinguished Professorship in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering in 2007. He and his wife, Vickie, also support the College’s Leadership Fund and Dean’s Circle, the Alumni Association’s Caldwell Scholarship program, the Chancellor’s Residence and the Wolfpack Club. Clark serves on the university’s Board of Trustees, the Engineering Foundation Board of Directors and the Alumni Association Board of Directors. He previously served as chair of the university’s Board of Visitors, chair of the NC State Magazine Advisory Board, and as a member of the Park Scholars Selection Committee. He is also an honorary lifetime member of the NC State Alumni Association and the Walter Hines Page Society.

John A. Edmond — 2012

This distinguished graduate earned his PhD in materials science and engineering from North Carolina State University in 1987. While a student, he teamed with a group of other graduate students and young faculty on some promising silicon carbide research, and upon graduation they co-founded what became Cree, Inc. Today, Edmond is director of advanced optoelectronics for the Durham, NC-based company, which is among the world’s top LED manufacturers. Edmond has worked on the development and production of blue and green LEDs, first in silicon carbide, then in Group III Nitrides on silicon carbide. In those fields, he holds 77 patents in the US, with 34 more pending, and 147 foreign patents, with 153 more pending.

Edmond and his wife, Rita, recently pledged $150,000 to endow the Dr. John A. Edmond Graduate Fellowship in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the first graduate fellowship endowment in the department’s history. Edmond has been the driving force behind more than $1 million in unrestricted research support that Cree has provided to NC State’s Analytical Instrumentation Facility. He also serves on the materials science and engineering External Advisory Board.

No Award Given — 2013

Jeffrey R. Garwood — 2014

Jeffrey R. Garwood earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1984. Garwood is the founder and managing member of Liberation Capital, a global private equity firm specializing in CleanTech solutions like alternative energy, waste water treatment and water reuse. Liberation recently followed a $55 million first round of funding with a $72 million second round. He is formerly the president and CEO of GE Water & Process Technologies, a $2.5 billion global infrastructure business.

Armed with an NC State degree, Garwood started his career at DuPont and McKinsey & Co. and he was the chief operations officer at Commerx and Youcentric. He later led three different companies early in his career: GE Engineered Styrenics Resins, Garrett Aviation Services and GE Fanuc Automation.

Garwood has been a generous supporter of NC State. With $116,000 in total contributions (including matching gifts), Garwood is a member of the NC State W.C. Riddick Society. The bulk of his giving has gone to create the Garwood Family Scholarship. Garwood has served on the Board of Directors for the NC State Engineering Foundation and has been active with the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering by giving presentations on career development, speaking to students about leadership and giving an address at the department’s 2008 commencement ceremony.

He and his wife, Carolyn, have three beautiful daughters.

Irwin R. Holmes, Jr. — 2014

Irwin R. Holmes Jr. received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1960. He was the first African-American to receive an undergraduate degree from the university. He went on to earn a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University.

After graduation from NC State, Holmes worked for several companies before taking a position with IBM, where he worked for 19 years until his retirement. As a senior manager of computer development at IBM, he earned two patents and was a key member of the task force that led to the development of the IBM PC product line. Holmes has also been an entrepreneur and he developed a shopping center in Durham, NC, started a gourmet restaurant, and developed other real estate ventures.

As one of a handful of African-American students who took those first bold steps to desegregate universities in the South, Holmes helped open the doors to generations of students to come and ensure that they had access to higher education. Holmes was a scholar and had high academic achievement. He was inducted into the electrical engineering honor society, Eta Kappa Nu, in his junior year. He was also an athlete and ran track, played intramural basketball and varsity tennis. Holmes was the first athlete to integrate the Atlantic Coast Conference and in his senior year he was made co-captain of the tennis team.

Holmes has stayed involved with the university, supporting the NC State Engineering Foundation and the university’s Minority Engineering Programs. The Irwin Holmes and Black Alumni Society Conference Room on the Centennial Campus was named in his honor.

Michael W. Creed — 2015

Dr. Michael W. Creed earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1973 and his master’s degree in engineering in 1984 from NC State. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in urban planning from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2010. Creed is a co-founder of McKim & Creed, an engineering, planning and surveying firm. He has retired from his position as CEO of the company but continues to serve as chairman of the board. Creed and his company have provided vital financial support for NC State and the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE), including funds to provide internship opportunities for NC State students at McKim & Creed. He was one of the original members of the CCEE advisory board and served three years as chair of the department’s Zia Distinguished Lecture Series. He has served as a guest lecturer in CCEE and has given time volunteering with student organizations.

Elin E. Gabriel — 2015

Elin E. Gabriel earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from NC State in 1985. She went on to earn an MBA from the College of William & Mary. Gabriel is vice president of global operations for H.B. Fuller, a $2.1 billion global corporation that focuses on adhesives, sealants and other similar specialty chemicals. She currently serves as an executive officer of the company with direct responsibility for manufacturing plants in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia. After working as an engineer with Advanced Micro Devices and Honeywell International, she served in multiple plant manager roles and later as director of operations for performance products with Honeywell and then held a number of corporate leadership roles with several multinational companies. She is a member of the university’s Wallace Carl Riddick Society and created the Elin E. Gabriel Scholarship in Chemical Engineering. Gabriel has also given of her time, speaking to senior design students in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

Raymond T. Odierno — 2015

General Raymond T. Odierno earned a master’s degree in nuclear engineering in 1986 from NC State. He is also a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Army War College and Naval War College. He was Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 2011 to 2015. During more than 38 years of service, he has commanded units at every echelon, from platoon to theater, with duty in Germany, Albania, Kuwait, Iraq, and the United States. After his assignments with U.S. Army Europe and at Fort Bragg, NC, Odierno served as a commander during deployment for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He later served as a commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom and in subsequent operations in Iraq. Other significant assignments include: Arms Control Officer, Office of the Secretary of Defense; Chief of Staff, V Corps; Assistant Division Commander (Support), 1st Armored Division; Deputy Commanding General, Task Force Hawk, Albania; and Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Jeffrey E. Williams — 2015

Jeffrey E. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1985 from NC State. A Caldwell Fellow during his time on campus, he studied abroad at Oxford and trained at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC. He later earned an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Williams worked for IBM from 1985 to 1998 and joined Apple in 1998 as head of worldwide procurement. He held a variety of roles at Apple, including leading iPod Operations and iPhone Operations. Williams is currently senior vice president in charge of all operations for Apple worldwide, including supply chain, service and support. Williams has been a generous supporter of NC State, providing funding for the Caldwell Fellows program’s Center for Creative Leadership and hosting students from the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program and the university-wide Entrepreneurship Initiative for visits to Apple’s headquarters during their trips to California.

Brigadier General (Retired) Leodis T. Jennings — 2016

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering in 1983 from North Carolina State University. He was commissioned an Armor officer in the Army National Guard, where he became an experienced leader and force manager whose guidance was sought at all levels of leadership throughout the Army and by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Department of Defense and Congress. He also went on to receive a Master of Arts in international business from Webster University (1984), a Master of Military Art and Science from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (1996), and a Master of Science in strategic studies from the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania (2002). He serves on the Board of Visitors for NC State University and has been appointed to the external advisory board for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Dr. Jason Rhode — 2016

This distinguished graduate earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1993 and his doctorate in 1995 from North Carolina State University. Upon completing his doctoral degree, he joined Cirrus Logic as an analog design engineer and held many roles at the company until May 2007, when he was named the president and chief executive officer. Rhode has continued to maintain a close relationship with the University and has provided vital financial support for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the College, and the University. He continues to increase his presence within the College every year with Cirrus Logic attending the College’s bi-annual engineering career fair, the creation of a fellow program, two professorship gifts, and a close recruiting relationship with NC State.

Pamela B. Townsend — 2016

This distinguished graduate earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1984 and her master’s degree in civil engineering in 1987 from North Carolina State University. She is the senior vice president for WSP/ Parsons Brinckerhoff, a world leading engineering and professional services firm, and worked previously for Dewberry and AECOM. Her efforts to help the state of North Carolina can be seen in her service on the leadership team for development of the STEM WAKE/NC State High School focusing on NAE Grand Challenges and her help in bringing the NC Future City outreach competition to North Carolina. Townsend is a strong advocate for NC State who has served on the Civil Engineering Advisory board and the NC State Engineering Foundation Board and previously chaired the Paul Zia Lecture committee.

Basil Hassan — 2017

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s (1988), master’s (1990) and doctoral (1993) degrees in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University. Upon completing his doctoral degree, he joined Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has held a variety of management and staff positions, overseeing all aspects of engineering sciences research, development, and applications work. Currently, he holds the title of senior manager of the Thermal, Fluid, and Aero Sciences Group. He helped support NASA to determine the cause of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident in 2003 and was part of the team to support the shutdown of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Well after the explosion and spill in 2010. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, including serving on its Board of Directors from 2008-17, where he held the roles of director and vice president. He has also served on review boards for the National Academies, NASA, and Air Force Office of Scientific Research. He currently serves on the NC State Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’s Educational Advisory Board and has served on similar boards for New Mexico State University, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, and University of New Mexico. For his continued leadership and tireless work in support of the University’s mission, the College of Engineering recognizes Basil Hassan as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Alan S. Icenhour — 2017

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering in 1986 from North Carolina State University. He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy on a nuclear-powered submarine. After leaving active duty, he continued his service with the Navy as a reservist, retiring in 2010 at the rank of captain. He joined the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1990, serving in various roles including principal investigator, research group leader, director of three research divisions, and his current role as associate laboratory director for the Nuclear Science and Engineering Directorate. He has more than 30 years of experience in nuclear reactor operations and R&D on topics such as enrichment, radiochemical processing, radioisotope production and applications, nuclear fuels, radiation effects on materials, radioactive waste management, and nuclear security. He was elected a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society and chairs the NC State Department of Nuclear Engineering’s Advisory Committee. He also holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee, where he is an adjunct professor of nuclear engineering. For his outstanding leadership in the engineering community and support of the College and its students, the College of Engineering recognizes Alan S. Icenhour as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Suzanne Gordon — 2018

This distinguished graduate earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics in 1975 and master’s in statistics in 1980 from North Carolina State University. During her 30+ years at SAS Institute, she held a variety of key leadership roles, rising to vice president of information technology, and eventually chief information officer at the world’s largest privately held software company. While at SAS, Gordon was named a Premier 100 IT Leader by Computerworld and was recognized by the Triangle Business Journal as one of the region’s top 25 women in business. She is the current president of the Engineering Foundation Board of Directors and is the first woman to hold that position. She was a member of the NC State Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2009 and has served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and on the College of Management Advisory Board. She is a Distinguished Alumna of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Additionally, Gordon has made a significant impact over time in the area of community and public service. For more than a decade, she has worked with Communities in Schools (CIS) of Wake County, serving on the CIS board for most of that time and serving as board chair from 2012 to 2014. She launched a nonprofit, Gordon Services, which provides young, at-risk people with guidance and experience in the professional world. For her outstanding leadership in business and in the community, the College of Engineering recognizes Suzanne Gordon as a Distinguished Engineering Alumna.

Peter Lehrer — 2018

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1963 from North Carolina State University. In 1979, Lehrer co-founded Lehrer McGovern, Inc., a construction management firm that consistently ranked as one of the top construction companies in the country. After the firm merged into Bovis, Ltd. (London), in 1988, he became vice chairman of Bovis, Ltd., and chief executive officer of all U.S.-based subsidiaries. Previous projects include the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Euro Disneyland, Canary Wharf, and restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Currently, he is the chief executive officer of Lehrer Cumming, a division within Cumming Corporation focused on client markets in Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Miami. In 1996, he founded Lehrer, LLC to provide construction consulting services to owners, developers, and institutions engaged in major capital projects who rely on experience, tenacity, and the ability to find logical, strategic and economic solutions to complex problems. Lehrer, LLC’s July 2018 merger with Cumming expanded the breadth and depth of the company’s expertise. Lehrer is a member of the board of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and White Plains Hospital. For his continued leadership, the College of Engineering recognizes Peter Lehrer as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Alan Stuart Weinberg — 2018

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1963 from North Carolina State University. After a 36-year career at Cryovac, he retired as global vice president of technology with 29 years in RD&E and seven years in marketing and business development. He authored 15 original patents and saw Cryovac global sales grow from about $100 million to almost $3 billion with operations in more than 20 countries and several RD&E facilities. He is a previous member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, the Department of Chemical Engineering’s Advisory Board at Clemson University, and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering’s Alumni Advisory Board at NC State University. He has served on various community boards including the Warehouse Theater, the International Chamber Music Series, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Furman University. He was president of OLLI at Furman for a term and continues to teach and attend classes there.

Gil West — 2018

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1984 from North Carolina State University. Additionally, he received a Master of Business Administration from National University in San Diego. As senior executive vice president and chief operating officer for Delta Air Lines, he leads the team responsible for safe, reliable operations across the globe, including more than 70,000 employees in Airport Customer Service; Cargo; Corporate Safety, Security and Compliance; Delta Connection; DAL Global Services; Delta Material Services; Delta Private Jets; Fleet Strategy & Technical Procurement; Flight Operations; In-Flight Service; Operations Analysis & Performance; Operations & Customer Center; Supply Chain Management; and Technical Operations. Previously, he served as senior vice president–airport customer service and technical operations. Prior to Delta, he worked for Laidlaw Transit Services as president and chief executive officer and also held leadership roles at Northwest Airlines, United Airlines and The Boeing Company. He serves as a key alumni volunteer in the Atlanta area and is an annual contributor both to the Dean’s Circle and Fitts-Woolard Hall. West is also assisting the University in forming a “C-Suite Advisory Group” consisting of the College’s top alumni and is a 2016 inductee into the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Hall of Fame. For his continuous support of the College and leadership, the College of Engineering recognizes Gil West as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

John C. Brantley III — 2019

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1964 from North Carolina State University. After working with the Federal Aviation Agency and a private engineering firm, he founded an airport planning and design consultancy. He joined the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority in 1977 as an airport contractor and in 1982 became the airport director a position he held for 29 years. From 1982-2016,  he taught/co-taught a biannual course in airport planning and design in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE) at NC State as an adjunct assistant professor of civil engineering (later adjunct professor of the practice). In 2006, he helped create an advisory board for the department and served on the board for five years. Along with his wife, Marilyn, they established the John C. Brantley, IV Alumni Memorial (undergraduate) Scholarship in Civil/Construction Engineering in memory of their eldest son, who passed away three months after graduating from NC State. In 2012, they established the Bruce E. Matthews Memorial (graduate) Scholarship in Civil/Transportation Engineering in memory of Matthews, with whom Brantley co-taught the CCEE course. He received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award from the State of North Carolina in 2011 and was inducted into the N.C. Transportation Hall of Fame in 2012. For his continuous support of the College and leadership, the College of Engineering recognizes John C. Brantley III as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Steffanie B. Easter — 2019

This distinguished graduate earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1985 from North Carolina State University. Additionally, she received a master’s degree in engineering from the Catholic University of America. As director navy staff, she serves as the senior chief naval operations (OPNAV) civilian and coordinates enterprise-level efforts across the entire OPNAV staff. In this role, she ensures alignment of more than 400 flag officers and senior executives, providing indispensable advice and support to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy. Previously, she served as acting assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology (ASA(ALT)), where she was responsible for leading and supervising Army acquisition, procurement, research and development, and logistics endeavors within the Army acquisition enterprise. She was awarded the Army Exceptional Civilian Service Award in 2017, the Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award in 2016, the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 2016, the Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 2013, the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award in 2009, and the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 2007. For her outstanding leadership and service, the College of Engineering recognizes Steffanie B. Easter as a Distinguished Engineering Alumna.

Jacob T. “Jake” Hooks — 2019

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering in 1978 from North Carolina State University. After a 35-year career at Eaton Corporation, he retired as president of Automotive North America, and is a former member of the Nittan Valve Co. Ltd. board of directors.. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Executive Program and completed the Global Leadership 2020 program at Dartmouth College’s Amos Tuck School of Business. Hooks serves as development chair for the NC State Engineering Foundation, has served on the Park Scholars Selection Committee and is on the NC State Foundation Board. In 2013, he and his wife, Jennifer, established the Jacob T. Hooks, Sr. Scholarship in Materials Science and Engineering in honor of his father, who also studied at NC State. They established a planned gift in 2016 that will create a distinguished professorship in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and are Cornerstone donors for Fitts-Woolard Hall. Hooks is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association, a member of the R.S. Pullen Society and a member of the W.C. Riddick Society. For his continued support of the College and outstanding leadership in business, the College of Engineering recognizes Jake Hooks as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Linda H. Butler — 2020

This distinguished graduate earned her bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering in 1986, and then earned a master’s degree in medical physics from the University of Florida and a medical degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. Since 2009, she has served as vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at UNC REX Healthcare in Raleigh, where she is responsible for quality and performance improvement, infection prevention, risk management, case management and medical staff affairs for a hospital with more than 7,400 staff members and multiple facilities. Prior to this appointment, Butler specialized in pediatrics and served as a managing partner for Capitol Pediatric & Adolescent Center. Butler has provided many significant contributions to the College through her interactions with COE leadership and as a mentor for its faculty members and students. She has organized visits to REX Hospital for current nuclear engineering students interested in pursuing a healthcare profession. She currently serves on the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors and was inducted into the Nuclear Engineering Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. For her leadership in the healthcare field in the Research Triangle area, the College of Engineering recognizes Linda H. Butler as a Distinguished Engineering Alumna.

Carl S. Stutts Jr. — 2020

This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1968. Stutts retired as chairman and CEO of Cyanco, a leading global supplier of sodium cyanide for gold mining, and is focused on work with nonprofits. He began his career as a production engineer at Union Carbide and then worked at Tenneco, rising through management ranks to become a corporate vice president. Along the way, he received an MBA from the University of Houston. He transitioned to Columbine Venture Funds, where he became a general partner. He then served as president and CEO of Texas Petrochemical Holdings before joining Cyanco. He serves on the Engineering Foundation board and was honored by the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) as a Distinguished Alumnus. Stutts has been a very generous supporter of the College and CBE. He has funded scholarships for both the department and College. He has also donated to support the construction of Fitts-Woolard Hall and is an annual donor to the College of Engineering Director’s Fund. For his success in industry and leadership for the NC State, the College of Engineering recognizes Carl S. Stutts Jr. as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Gregory N. Washington — 2020

This distinguished graduate earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from NC State in 1989, 1991 and 1994, respectively. An accomplished researcher and proven academic leader, he was appointed president of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., in 2020. His duties include providing visionary leadership, oversight and management of Virginia’s largest and most diverse university. In 2011, Washington was appointed as the dean of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, becoming the first African American dean of engineering for a University of California engineering program. Washington has been a mentor for faculty members and students, and he has supported the COE leadership team. He is also a member of the Engineering Foundation board and has assisted the College with a number of alumni and development events in the Southern California area. Washington is a member of the NC State Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Hall of Fame. For breaking barriers as a leader in U.S. higher education, the College of Engineering recognizes Gregory N. Washington as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Christina H. Koch — 2021

This distinguished graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 2001 and a bachelor’s degree in physics and master’s degree in electrical engineering in 2002. She was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2013 and served as flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 59, 60 and 61 and set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, with a total of 328 days in space. Koch conducted six spacewalks, including the first three all-women spacewalks, totaling 42 hours and 15 minutes. Koch’s career prior to becoming an astronaut spanned two general areas: space science instrument development and remote scientific field engineering. The crews she served on contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, Earth science, human research, physical sciences and technology development. Scientific highlights from her missions include improvements to the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, which studies dark matter; growing protein crystals for pharmaceutical research; and testing 3D biological printers to print tissues in microgravity. For making history and inspiring a new generation of girls to reach for the stars, the College of Engineering recognizes Christina H. Koch as a Distinguished Engineering Alumna.

Joseph M. Pleasant Jr. — 2021

This distinguished graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in 1972 in industrial and systems engineering (ISE). Pleasant retired after 42 years with Premier Inc. and its predecessor organizations, where he served as CIO and senior vice president. Premier Inc. is an alliance of approximately 4,100 U.S. hospitals and health systems and more than 200,000 other providers and organizations. Pleasant served as chairman and a founding member of the Coalition for Healthcare eStandards and as a founding member of the College for Healthcare Information Management Executives organization. He served on the Board of Directors of both the National Alliance for Healthcare Information Technology and GS1US organizations. Pleasant was named a Distinguished ISE Alumnus in 2010 and served on and chaired the ISE Board of Advisors. He also holds an MBA from UNC Charlotte. In 2016, he and his wife, Vicki, established the Joseph M. Pleasant Family Department Head Endowment to provide unrestricted support to the ISE department. He is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association and the Wolfpack Club. For his dedication to his department and industry leadership, the College of Engineering recognizes Joseph M. Pleasant Jr. as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Lonnie C. Poole Jr. — 2021

This distinguished graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1959. Poole is the founder and retired CEO and chairman of Waste Industries USA, which he founded in 1970. In 2007, he and his wife, Carol Johnson Poole, provided a naming gift for the Lonnie Poole Golf Course as well as the lead gift for the Carol Johnson Poole Clubhouse on Centennial Campus. In 2010, the Pooles endowed the Poole College of Management at NC State. He has served as chairman of the NC State University Foundation Board, the Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund and the Dean’s Advisory Board of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Pooles are co-chairs of the University’s Think and Do the Extraordinary campaign. In 2008, he received the NC State Watauga Medal which is awarded by the Board of Trustees to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the University. For his commitment to the University and the impact of this entrepreneurial vision, the College of Engineering recognizes Lonnie C. Poole Jr. as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Quint M. Barefoot – 2022

Quint M. Barefoot received a B.S. in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1985 and completed his MBA at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University in 1996. His career is highlighted by leading successful entrepreneurial entities from the start-up phase to the ultimate sale and integration into publicly traded firms.

After completing engineering school, Barefoot joined Four Seasons Environmental, Inc. and proceeded to lead the company through a rapid growth phase from less than $1M in annual revenue to $42M employing over 280 personnel in six offices at the time the business was sold to Great Lakes Chemical Corporation. Thereafter, he continued as the president leading the firm as a division of a publicly traded company expanding to 16 offices with over 500 employees applying remediation technologies on environmental clean-up projects.

After Four Seasons, he was a founder of Monosep, LLC, started in 2001 as a firm providing water treatment systems to the energy sector. The company is now integrated into Siemens Water Technologies.

Thereafter, Barefoot started Zappa-Tec, LLC, a polymer converting business focusing on super absorbent polymer compounds used in telecommunication products, energy applications and medical devices. The business was acquired by a publicly traded company, Chase Corporation. 

Barefoot is presently the CEO of Info-Gel, LLC, which produces thixotropic gels for the fiber optic industry. 

Dan M. Pleasant – 2022

Dan M. Pleasant earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering in 1973 and 1974, respectively, from North Carolina State University. Pleasant has spent more than 50 years in the consulting engineering profession.

Pleasant has held several key positions with Dewberry since managing the startup of an office in Danville, Va., including southeast division manager, and president of Dewberry Engineers Inc., a Dewberry Company of 1,800 employees. In 2010, Pleasant was named chief operating officer. During his tenure, he helped direct the company through significant market segment growth and expansion into multiple geographies. He also managed the acquisition of seven companies for Dewberry, including the 2021 acquisitions of two engineering firms in the Southeast and the 2019 acquisition of an engineering firm based in California.

In April 2022, Pleasant transitioned into a consulting role. He continues to guide critical initiatives for Dewberry, including championing its corporate acquisition program. He is also very active with Dewberry’s clients, serving as an executive client manager for several strategic clients.

Pleasant has a long history of volunteer and board service. His NC State service includes being an advisory board member for the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering.

Mark D. Wyatt – 2022

Mark D. Wyatt received a B.S. degree in computer science from North Carolina State University in 1980. Wyatt retired from Duke Energy in 2013 with 34 years of senior management and utility experience. Prior to his retirement from Duke Energy, Wyatt served as vice president of grid modernization, where he was the lead executive for the company’s grid modernization function, which was responsible for delivering enhanced operational efficiencies for the company’s transmission and distribution system, as well as providing a platform for growing the company’s revenue through leveraging grid modernization investments to provide value added products and services to the company’s retail customer base. 

Wyatt started with Duke in 1980 in the information management department. He moved to the distribution department several years later, where he was responsible for the deployment of common business processes and supporting technology that enhanced the effectiveness of engineering, construction and operations functions within the department. Following this assignment, he experienced a series of promotions within the company through assignments in the retail customer services, transmission, distribution, generation, unregulated business operations and information technology areas.

Wyatt has been a member of numerous boards throughout his career. His NC State board service includes the Computer Science Strategic Advisory Board and the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors.