College of Engineering Recognizes Outstanding Alumni

EAS Awardees: Adam Butler ’15 ME; John Beyer ’11 EE; Kevin Fogash, PhD, ’92 ChE; W. Todd Pohlig ’72 CE; Kerry Cooley Bruggemann ’06 ME; Drosdick Endowed Dean of Engineering Gary A. Gabriele, PhD; University President The Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS; Francis Homer ’03 CE, John Durrant ’76 CE, ’80 MSCE; Mark Muller ’90 ME, ’98 MSME; Charles DeAngelis ’85 CE, PE. Not pictured: Thomas Saldutti ’17 CE; Joseph Krackeler, PhD, ’59 ChE; Christopher Damico ’84 EE

On October 28, the College of Engineering and the Engineering Alumni Society hosted the 41st annual Engineering Alumni Awards reception. An extension of Villanova University’s Homecoming weekend, the event recognized the achievements of 13 outstanding engineering alumni. More than 100 guests joined the festivities, which honored those who exemplify service, leadership, excellence, stewardship and technical advancement in the field of engineering.

Four of the alumni awards are named in honor of the College of Engineering’s past deans:

The J. Stanley Morehouse Memorial Award: Presented in memory of Dean J. Stanley Morehouse (1938–1961), this award recognizes outstanding leadership at the highest level. The 2017 recipient is Charles “Charlie” DeAngelis ’85 CE, PE, chief executive office and founding owner of Vericon Construction. DeAngelis was instrumental in forming the Vericon Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on giving aid to the disadvantaged and promoting the research and development of cures for disease.

The Carl T. Humphrey Memorial Award: Presented in memory of the College’s first dean, Carl T. Humphrey (1920–1938), this award recognizes the professional achievements of an alumnus who earned a master’s degree from the College more than five years ago. The 2017 recipient is Mark K. Muller ’90 ME, ’98 MSME, manager of the Operations Analysis team for the Vertical Lift Division of the Boeing Company. Muller serves on the Villanova University Engineering Advisory Board and has been a strong advocate for Villanova Engineering at Boeing. He has also been very active in recruiting and mentoring students and student projects.

The John J. Gallen Memorial Award: In honor of Dean John J. Gallen (1961–1975), this award recognizes the technical achievements of an alumnus who graduated from the College less than 15 years ago. The 2017 recipient is Francis B. Homer ’03 CE. Homer is a project manager for Whiting-Turner. He has served as a mentor and judge for the annual Villanova Student Entrepreneurship Competition and is also mentoring students in the College’s Career Compass program.

Presented at the College’s Recognition Ceremony in May, The Robert D. Lynch Award honors the late Robert D. Lynch (1975–2001) and acknowledges a graduating senior for outstanding academic achievements and exemplary dedication to serving the community. The 2017 recipient, Thomas Saldutti ’17 CE, is a water resources design engineer for the Philadelphia firm Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson. He is also pursuing his master’s in Civil Engineering at Villanova.

Professional achievement awards recognize contributions to technology and technological fields. 2017 recipients are:

Kerry Cooley Bruggemann ’06 ME
Christopher Damico ’84 EE
Peter Krackeler, PhD, ’59 ChE
W. Todd Pohlig ’72 CE

Meritorious service awards are presented to alumni who have provided continuing support to the College of Engineering. This year’s honored alumni are: