2004 Elements of Mechanical Engineering Conference Highlights

Dean Larry Benefield (second from right) meets with attendees of the Elements of Mechanical Engineering Conference as David Dyer, department chair (right), looks on.

In the opening session Friday morning, Bart Prorok gave a presentation on MEMS/nanotechnology that prompted inspired alumni to discuss and debate the new technologies being engineered today. Pradeep Lall spoke about Strategies for Risk Management in Technology Markets and had attendees postponing lunch to hear more. Later that day, David Dyer took alumni on a tour of the mechanical engineering labs, where they saw many faculty members in their respective research environments. Friday's dinner allowed alumni and faculty to mingle and discuss the day's events. It was a great opportunity to network and be with good friends.

Saturday's events kicked off with Dr. Dyer's Mechanical Engineering Strategic Plan, scheduled for 30 minutes but extended to two hours as excited alumni and council members debated the changes in store for the department. Then Dr. Suhling gave an entertaining presentation on mechanical engineering history dating back to the 1890s. Many alumni were surprised to see pictures of themselves in their labs during their student days, and good-natured teasing ensued after a photo was shown of our department head in his early career with the university, some 40 years ago. Many reminisced about former professors' nicknames and habits.

Saturday's dinner was the most anticipated event of the conference, with the rare privilege of hosting a guest speaker everyone was very anxious to hear. The dean of engineering, Larry Benefield, as well as some emeriti faculty and most of the current faculty and their spouses were in attendance to hear James Kennedy, director of the NASA Kennedy Space Center and Auburn alumnus. Mr. Kennedy spoke about the direction NASA is pursuing and on some of the most memorable moments in NASA's recent history. The audience listened intently as he showed photos of the center and elaborated on some of the upcoming plans. As dinner adjourned, the eager crowd filtered into the lobby areas to watch the Auburn/Tennessee football game. Our victory there served as a perfect end to a perfect conference.

For more conference pictures, please click here.

Comments about the conference:

"The MEMS/nanotechnology discussions were very relevant and informative. Mr. Prorok did a great job of covering the bases."

"James Kennedy's talk was great. He seemed to share our love for Auburn and value the education he received there."

"The fact that our leadership is seeking our input concerning the future direction of the department is very encouraging. It's obvious to me that Dr. Dyer and the rest of the faculty love Auburn, have a vision for the future, and are putting forth a great effort to make the Deparment of Mechanical Engineering a top 10 program."

"It was a great conference. The sessions were very interesting and informative and the overview Dr. Dyer gave of the department's plans for the future gave the attendees something to think about."

"The banquet was, for the second time, the highlight of the conference, with another Auburn graduate addressing a very interesting topic. But most of all, it was fun to watch Auburn win with a room full of Auburn mechanical engineering grads."