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College of Engineering

Outstanding Alumni Awards

The Outstanding Alumni Awards recognizes alumni for their support of our programs, our faculty and our students enables us to reach for excellence. At the same time, each personifies excellence in their career and in their community.

Recipients:

David A. Hamilton
David Hamilton who earned his bachelor's in aerospace engineering in 1967. After graduation, he began a 40-year career with NASA at the Manned Spacecraft Center, advancing through a variety of roles in support of the Apollo, Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz missions. Most recently he served as Dock System Project Manager in support of Orbitor dockings to Mir and ISS; as chief engineer in support of the Shuttle project; and as Chief of the Shuttle/Station Engineering office, before taking on the job of Chief Engineer for NASA's Engineering and Safety Center in Houston. Mr. Hamilton retired in August, 2007 and with his wife Cindy resides in Houston

Eddie C. Burt
In a 38-year career as Research Agricultural Engineer with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, 1973 doctoral graduate Eddie Burt, significantly advanced our understanding of the interaction between machines and soils. For example, his work provided the fundamental engineering knowledge used in the development of Caterpillar's groundbreaking Challenger series tractors, as well as the development of numerous other four-wheel-drive agricultural vehicles. A Fellow in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, he has authored more than 150 papers and provided leadership to numerous technical and professional organizations. His efforts have had a profound impact on our ability as engineers to design machines and tools that conserve energy while protecting the nation's resources. Now retired, Dr. Burt and his wife Angela reside in Colbert, Ga.

Robert W. Sylvester
Robert Sylvester, a 1973 chemical engineering graduate, is principal consultant of process technology in DuPont's Engineering Research and Technology group whose mission is to help DuPont businesses reduce their environmental footprint while improving profitability. His efforts have resulted in reductions in raw material and energy costs; lowered the cost of new facilities and environmental compliance; and reduced wastes for the company. Sylvester is active in industry organizations, including the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He is an instrumental member of Chemical Engineering's Alumni Advisory Board, providing advice on curriculum and research, as well as assisting with the department's preparations to host the upcoming 2008 Southeast Regional AIChE meeting this April. Robert and his wife Ann reside in Newark, Del. Mr. Sylvester could not be here with us today. Chris Roberts, Chemical Engineering Department Head, will accept the award.

W. Denny Pate
Pate received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from Auburn. He has worked for more than 25 years with the Figg Engineering Group, taking leadership roles on numerous major and complex bridge projects - earning him a reputation as one of the world's foremost experts in cable-stayed bridge design. Pate is credited with the creation of the cable-stayed cradle system, which has reduced construction and maintenance costs, and increased design options for these beautiful and functional bridges. His work has earned numerous awards, including the 2006 National Society of Professional Engineers New Product Award and the 2007 Construction Innovation Forum Nova award. Mr. Pate, his wife, Cathy, and their three children reside in Tallahassee.

Kristie Goss
Kristie Goss earned both her bachelor's and master's in computer science and software engineering from Auburn. She is currently senior Voice User Interface (VUI) designer at Convergys where she has worked on speech applications for an impressive list of clients that include the UnitedHealth Group, Chrysler and Wacovia Bank. One of her major accomplishments was the design of the United States Postal Services voice-user interface system. When you get a package delivered to your home and you are not there to sign it, the postal worker leaves a slip in your mailbox with a 1-800 number for you to call for more information about your package. When you call that number, you speak to Goss's Kristie's system. Ms. Goss resides in Sylacuaga, Ala.

John Rudy Bray
John Rudy Bray is a member of the electrical and computer engineering class of 1957. His early career was marked by variety and innovation, ranging from work with electronics for the U.S. Air Force to instrument development for RCA and the space program to industrial electrical control engineering for Monsanto. In 1976, he joined his son Ronald in forming Vertec, Inc., a high tech development and manufacturing firm, where he currently serves as chairman of the board while continuing to do engineering and design work. His 13 patents, many disclosures, and long list of projects solved - ranging from a water purification system to a warning system for military helicopters to a surgical laser symbolize the breadth of his engineering talent and love for the discipline. Mr. Bray and his wife Quinlyn reside in Pensacola, Florida.

Richard W. Amos
 Richard W. Amos is a member of the industrial and systems engineering class of 1982. In a career of more than 25 years, Dr. Amos has advanced steadily up the U.S. Army's civilian career ladder, moving into the Senior Executive Service in 2000 and in 2004 accepting the position of deputy to the commanding general, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM). In this role, he manages a multifaceted and diverse organization with an annual budget of over $4 billion and a global workforce of over 11,000 military and civilian employees. A natural leader, he is challenged daily with outlining policies and objectives; formulating broad logistical, managerial and technical plans; and reinventing processes necessary to accomplish the command mission. Dr. Amos and his wife Joyce and two daughters reside in Huntsville, Ala.

Lakshman Santanam
 Lakshman Santanam earned his master's degree from Auburn in 1990. During his 17 year career, Santanam has worked in a number of engineering applications, including evaluation of equipment reliability and fitness for service, root-cause failure analysis, metallurgy, corrosion, non-destructive testing and mechanical integrity. He is considered an expert in evaluating explosions and large-scale industrial failures. Formerly a partner in Law Engineering in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mr. Santanam now lends his expertise to ARCADIS, an international company with more than 12,000 employees and $2 billion in gross revenues that develops, implements, maintains and operates complex projects for companies and governments.

John MacFarlane
John MacFarlane received his bachelors and master's degrees from Auburn University in 1972 and 1973, respectively. After a tour of duty with the Air Force Special Weapons Center in New Mexico, he started his career with ExxonMobil as an engineer at the Baton Rouge refinery before advancing into several assignments in domestic refining, supply, and marketing; Exxon Company International; and Exxon Research and Engineering. After the ExxonMobil merger, he relocated to the UK to become the manager of the Europe/MiddleEast Regional Engineering Office and in 2001 returned to the states as technology sales and licensing manager, responsible for worldwide licensing of ExxonMobil technologies to the downstream market. John is a member of the Alumni Advisory Council for the Auburn University School of Engineering. Mr. MacFarlane and his wife, Anne, live in Great Falls, Va.

Allen C. Rice
 After graduation from Auburn with a degree in textile management in 1968, Mr. Rice joined European textile firm ENKA selling carpet yarn, before moving to Dubois Dyeing and then to the German firm Falke as their U.S. representative. In 1978, Rice and his brother started Savannah Luggage Works, a fully integrated contract manufacturer of leading-edge military gear including tactical gear, body armor vests, Navy Seal assault packs, tents, and bomb blankets, as well as market-specific commercial consumer products. Mr. Rice and his wife Nancy reside in Vidalia, Georgia.

Last Updated: Feb 09, 2011
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering