Engineering Advisory Board Holds Semiannual Meeting

The College of Engineering Advisory Board (EAB) gathered for its semiannual meeting on April 16 in the Center for Engineering Education and Research. Driving the agenda was the question, how can the College more effectively bring together alumni, industry, and research so that the partnership benefits all stakeholders, including faculty and students?

To kick off the meeting, Dr. Gary A. Gabriele, the Drosdick Endowed Dean of Engineering, reported on the state of the College and introduced the new EAB members. Thomas J. Durling, Esq., ME ’80 is a partner in DLA Piper. Dr. George N. Facas, PE, ME ’81 is the Dean Emeritus of the College of New Jersey’s School of Engineering. Anthony J. Melone EE ’82 is the Senior Vice President and CTO of Verizon Wireless.

Three speakers then laid the groundwork for the discussion. Gary Olsen ’74, ’80, Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the Alumni Association, provided an update on alumni and development activities at the University and College levels. Next, Burton Lane, the College’s Director of External Relations, gave an overview of established and potential relationships with industry partners.

Dr. Alfonso Ortega, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research and the James R. Birle Professor of Energy Technology, covered research engagements. He noted the research areas in which the College has strength, described current models of how that research is funded, and asked the EAB to consider how the College can better integrate research into industrial outreach.

The night before the meeting, EAB members, College and University administrators, new tenure-track faculty, and other guests gathered for dinner at the Villanova Conference Center. After the meal, John Robins ’70, President and CEO of Mesquite Fuels and Agriculture, Inc., gave a presentation titled “Sustainable Energy: A University Opportunity for Research.”