Introducing the New Director of the School of Engineering

Joe Iannelli has been selected as the new director of the School of Engineering at Grand Valley State University. He succeeds Charlie Standridge who filled both roles as director of the school and assistant dean of the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing.  Standridge will resume his role as assistant dean, and Iannelli will officially assume his position July 3.

Iannelli comes from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, where he served as head of the engineering department for three years and led the institution to increase enrollment in engineering by 300 percent. Previous to that, he taught aerospace, biomedical, and mechanical engineering for 13 years at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, were he also received a doctorate in engineering science and mechanics, and served as director of the Center of Aeronautics at City University in London for three years.

Born in Susa, Italy, Iannelli received a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Palermo in aeronautical engineering, and earned a post-graduate diploma in fluid dynamics from the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, a NATO research institute in Sint-Genesius-Rode, a Dutch-speaking village on the outskirts of Brussels.

Iannelli said he wants to help Grand Valley, what he calls a “best kept secret” in West Michigan, receive the nationwide attention it deserves. “A compelling university vision, integration of liberal arts in the educational process, study-abroad opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and excellent faculty, staff and academic programs, are all elements that I believe make Grand Valley an emerging leader of universities in the U.S.,” he said. Paul Plotkowski, dean of the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, said: “Paired with his extensive experience in the field and his passion for higher education, I am very optimistic that Joe will provide wonderful guidance and direction for the faculty, staff and students here.”

Iannelli will continue to teach students, and wants to be as accessible to faculty, staff and students as possible. “I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and get to know the engineering community at Grand Valley,” said Iannelli. “One of my goals is to institute the most favorable environment for faculty, staff and students to succeed, as I also measure my success in terms of their success.”

Iannelli enjoys biking, playing chess, learning foreign languages, traveling, writing, reading, and spending time with his wife Kimberly.

Article courtesy of Leah Zuber - GVSU News & Information Services

Imagine the Possibilities

Students from across the region were invited to Grand Valley State University's Padnos College of Engineering and Computing for it's semi-annual Project Day, an event intended to boost the interest of and number of students in science, math, engineering and technology, which President Obama recently announced to be a national goal.  "You hear a lot of kids say that engineering is just a bunch of science and math," said Sara Maas, the college's student outreach coordinator. "Then you show them some of the cool, real-world things that engineers get to do, and they have an 'a-ha' moment. They see that it can be designing video games and building things."  To read more about this story, click here.

 Information courtesy of Dave Murray/The Grand Rapids Press

Photo courtesy of Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press

STEP into Action

STEPS is a four day, day-camp introduction to the exciting world of technology and engineering! Campers will participate in a variety of workshops that will give them hands-on experience with high-tech equipment and processes. Program activities during the week for STEPS include designing, manufacturing, and flying a radio-controlled airplane. Activities such as swimming, pizza parties, and airport tours are also included.

STEPS will run from June 13-16, 2011, and June 20-23, 2011.  

STEPS also needs volunteers to assist at the camp. If you are available and willing to help, please contact Sara Maas at maassa@gvsu.edu.

Latest & Greatest

MASL's latest and greatest technology comes in the form of a remote control quadricopter.  The Mobile Applications and Services Lab (MASL) has created an application to control the quadricopter that runs on your iOS (Android) device!  As well, a camera attached to the quadricopter can stream live video to your phone!  How awesome is that?!  For more information and to check out the AR.Drone's maiden flight by clicking here.

I'd Like to Thank the Academe

Professor Heidi Jiao received support from Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISEnet) to participate in NanoDays 2011. Her team will be delivering high-quality hands-on activities to engage the public in nanoscale science, engineering, technology on March 26th, 2011 during the Science Olympiad at GVSU. 

Nael Barakat, Associate Professor and Mechanical Engineering program chair in the School of Engineering has been named a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The citation recognizes Dr. Barakat as a widely recognized scholar/teacher with expertise ranging from robotics and mechatronics to engineering ethics and nanotechnology. He is tremendously successful in using scholarly activities to mentor his students and junior colleagues and is also an accomplished leader in the engineering profession serving as a leader on the local, national, and international stages.

Congratulations, Nael and Heidi, on your honors!

Engineering is MAJOR!

At the February, 2011, meeting of the Board of Trustees, the members approved a proposal to offer five different engineering majors.  Beginning fall 2011, Grand Valley students, either freshman standing or current students enrolled in the engineering program, can choose majors in computer, electrical, interdisciplinary, mechanical or product design and manufacturing engineering.  Paul Plotkowski, dean of the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, said the current engineering programs have matured to the extent that each is appropriate for designation as a separate major. “Growth in enrollment, university and public support, and nationally recognized faculty and facilities are some of the reasons we need to expand the program.”  To read more, click here.

Information courtesy of Leah Zuber/GVSU News and Information Services

Zack Attacks Atomic Object

 As Zach Kurmas works away on programming for an application at software developer Atomic Object’s offices, he now knows what awaits his students.  Kurmas is taking a year off to learn how Grand Rapids software company Atomic Object operates and how the instruction he gives students is applied in the workplace and how that instruction can be improved. While sabbaticals might seem to the layperson as an extended vacation, Kurmas is using his semester at Atomic Object to learn the problems that students will be helping companies solve in the future.   

Kurmas sees the advantage of bringing “real world” experience to discussions with students about the opportunities that are out there after graduation.  “I can come back with stories to tell. I see my ability to motivate will be greater,” he said. “I certainly will have the advantage of talking about things firsthand, rather than relating everything secondhand.”  To  read more, click here.

Article courtesy of Nathan Peck/Knowledge

Off to the Races!

Sixty Sibley Elementary School fifth-graders cheered, hollered and rooted for each other at Grand Valley State University’s 12th annual Pinewood Derby.  All the while, they were learning, said Shirley Fleischmann, Professor of Engineering.  “It’s their accomplishment,” she said. “They have done an engineering job.” The students pencil in car designs on blocks of wood that GVSU engineering students then cut out at the Keller Engineering Labs in the downtown campus. The fifth-graders sand the cars, paint them and install wheels before the big race.  To read more on the Pinewood Derby, click here.

So Long, Farewell...

 Jessica Noble, lead advisor for freshman and sophomore engineering students, will be leaving us in May to spend more time with her growing family.  She joined student services six years ago, replacing Tom Demmon who had founded the engineering advising position before moving to GVSU Career Services.  Back then, Jessica was the only staff member in PCEC Student Services.  By today, the group has grown to five staff and four graduate assistants. 

Over the past six years, “I want to see Jessica,” has become a common request among engineering students.  She has guided the academic progress of quite a number of them.  Along the way, she found the time to create study plans for each engineering discipline, meet with many perspective students and their families, advise the Society for Women Engineers, and participate in and help lead the STEPS summer camp for seventh grade girls, among other activities.  Her devotion to students, hard work, and always pleasant demeanor added something special to her accomplishments.

She will be missed by the students, faculty, and staff of the College. We all wish Jessica and her family a bright future.