An extraordinary year

As we close the books on 2018, join the College of Engineering as we take a look back at the extraordinary work that has been accomplished. From the naming of the fourth engineering building on campus to the College climbing in rankings, 2018 has proven to be an amazing year.

College announces first-of-its-kind gift, breaks ground on Fitts-Woolard Hall

On April 20, 2018, the University broke ground on and celebrated the naming of Fitts-Woolard Hall, which comes as the result of a $25 million gift from alumni Edward P. Fitts, Jr. and Edgar S. Woolard, Jr. The $154-million project is also funded in part by the passage of the May 2016 Connect NC bond referendum and other private donations to the College of Engineering. Fitts-Woolard Hall will become NC State’s fourth engineering building on Centennial Campus, continuing the unification of the College and leveraging the power of convergence across disciplines, forming one of the world’s most dynamic research and education environments. Fitts-Woolard Hall will house the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering; the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; and the dean’s administration.

College climbs U.S. News undergraduate and graduate rankings

In a list released in September, the College’s U.S. News & World Report undergraduate ranking rose to 32^nd nationally – an improvement from last year’s 34^th. The College is also ranked 11^th among public institutions. In May, U.S. News ranked the College’s graduate program 24th in the nation, which is its highest ranking in the last 15 years. Its graduate program is ranked 12th among public institutions.

College of Engineering hosts first RET conference

For the first time, teachers and university officials who have participated in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program gathered for a conference to share their experiences and develop an action plan to improve the program.

Course improves graduate engineering students’ writing skills

NC State’s College of Engineering is one of only a few engineering schools to offer a course on improving graduate students’ writing skills — an immeasurable career boost, according to former students. CE 610 — also known as Technical Communication for Engineering Research — is a three-credit, pass/fail, cross-department course in Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering; Computer Science; and Electrical and Computer Engineering. Graduate students learn how to write better grant proposals and research articles and abstracts, as well as how to more effectively design research posters and communicate with outside audiences.

Program places students in internships across rural North Carolina

Created by a partnership between the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, the Office of Outreach and Engagement and NC State Cooperative Extension, Rural Works! supports NC State’s commitment to social, economic and technological development across North Carolina by offering an engaging internship experience for high-caliber students in rural Tier 1 counties — areas identified by the state as needing assistance to reach their full economic potential. The program also requires students to participate in local service programs — to learn about local needs and challenges.

Brenner named head of Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Dr. Donald Brenner, Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) was named head of the MSE department. Brenner has served as interim head since fall 2017.

Rothermel named new head of Department of Computer Science

Dr. Gregg Rothermel has been appointed as the new head of the Department of Computer Science. Rothermel, who became the sixth person to lead the 50-year-old department, began his role on November 1st, 2018.

Three College faculty members received NSF CAREER Awards

Dr. Landon Grace, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Dr. Kathryn Stolee, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science; and Dr. Stefano Menegatti, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, received the Faculty Early Career Development award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The award, known as the NSF CAREER Award, is one of the highest honors given by NSF to young faculty members in science and engineering.

National recognition

• Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of the College, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest scientific society and publisher of journal science.
• Lilian Hsiao, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, has received the 2019 Marion Milligan Mason Award for Women in the Chemical Sciences. Hsiao is one of only five winners of the 2019 award, given by AAAS.
• Ruben Carbonell, Frank Hawkins Kenan Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering, has been honored with the O. Max Gardner Award, the most significant university-wide honor given to faculty members by the University of North Carolina System, for his contributions in engineering, health care, education and public policy.
• Donald L. Bitzer, Distinguished University Research Professor of Computer Science, has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
• Orlin Velev, INVISTA Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor, was named the recipient of the 2018 Langmuir Lecturer Award from the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry of the American Chemical Society.

Student success                                                                                        

• Neil Cornwell, a senior in the UNC/NC State Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, received the 2018 Faculty Senior Scholarship.
• Ziad Ali, a senior studying electrical engineering and biomedical engineering, and Madison Maloney, a senior studying aerospace engineering, were both selected as 2018-19 Astronaut Scholars. Maloney also received the scholarship in 2017-18.
• Adam Schmidt, an NC State civil engineering major with a minor in Chinese studies, was named a Mount Vernon Leadership Fellow – NC State’s first.
• Madison Maloney, a senior studying aerospace engineering, is the University’s 51st Goldwater Scholar. Maloney is the first woman at NC State to receive a Goldwater Scholarship since 2015.