GRADE Camp Named Finalist For Prestigious Star Award
(November 10, 2008) The University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering’s Girls Reaching and Demonstrating Excellence (GRADE) Camp recently was named a finalist for a 2008 Texas Higher Education Star Award. GRADE Camp, a program designed to introduce high school girls to science and engineering, was chosen from 84 nominations and is among 19 finalists from across Texas to be considered for the honor.

Professor Awarded Grant From Leading Semiconductor Producer
(November 5, 2008) Stanko Brankovic, an assistant professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering, received a two-year, $130,000 grant from National Semiconductor Corporation, the world leader in the production of energy-efficient analog and mixed-signal semiconductor devices. He will use the money to further research into the electrodeposition of magnetically soft, high magnetic moment alloys—a process used in the manufacturing of magnetic recording heads, micro-electromehcanical and nano-electromechanical systems.

Longtime NASA Employee, UH Alumnus Reflects on Time with NASA
(November 4, 2008) Dennis Webb (1976 BSEE) started with NASA during the last leg of the Apollo missions, still a rookie engineer on a University of Houston Co-op. Now, a veteran of the agency, the 54-year-old plans to end his career with NASA the same way he started—helping get astronauts to the moon. His current work with NASA is among the components of the agency’s Constellation Program, slated to take astronauts to the Moon on Orion, one component of a three-part system that will be the successor to the space shuttle.

Alumnus Tapped to Lead National Engineering Society
(November 3, 2008) D. Wayne Klotz (1976 MSCE) has been named president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the oldest national engineering society in the United States. Klotz was installed as ASCE president on Nov. 8 at the organization’s annual conference. He accepts the position following a yearlong commitment as ASCE president-elect, and more than three decades in posts on ASCE committees and boards at the local, state and national levels.