2011 Edition - Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - The ...

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ContentsEECS senior Brad Torrence works on his quadcopterduring Computer Systems Design (EECS 542).Photo by David McKinney/University Relations2 » Department News8 » Faculty12 » Students18 » Graduate Students24 » Research28 » Donors29 » AlumniNewsletter StaffGlenn Prescott; EECS ChairMichelle Ward; EditorCrystal Leal, Pam Shadoin, Maureen Altman, JoAnn Berner,Jill Hummels, and Cody Howard; ContributorsContact Use-mail: info@eecs.ku.eduwebsite: www.eecs.ku.eduAddress: EECSEaton Hall1520 West 15th Street, Rm. 2001Lawrence, KS 66045-7608Phone: 785.864.4620Front Cover ImageEECS junior Emily Dellwig, team leader, MechanicalEngineering student Jeff Dickinson, and EECS seniors TylerDanaver and Travis Bland stand with their hybrid vehicle. Forthe first time, the Jayhawk Motorsports team built and raceda hybrid race car, which finished in the top 10 at the FormulaHybrid International Competition.Photo by Jill Hummelswww.eecs.ku.edu
PerspectiveIn one ofthe mostproductivemeetings ofmy career, theEECS IndustryAdvisory Board(IAB) set forthbold initiativesin recruitment,retention,and curriculum in its spring meeting.IAB member Brian McClendon (BSEE’86) then pledged $50,000 towardthe purchase of computer tablets forincoming EECS students. The surprisegiveaway this fall gained nationaland regional media attention for theDepartment.Obviously, tablets help with recruiting.Additionally, we are pursuing differentstrategies, in conjunction with the Schoolof Engineering, to bolster our enrollment.We are not immune to the nationaltrend of decreasing enrollments in EECSprograms.The tablets prompted a retooling ofour curriculum. IAB members urgedthe Department to incorporate moreof a mobile computing focus. We arerevamping our curriculum to focus onsecurity, design, and other features thatdifferentiate it from traditional computing.Industry Advisory Board membersand faculty discussed how theDepartment can help EECS studentssucceed. The group recommendeda New Student Seminar that wouldhighlight Departmental resources andrequirements, feature possible careerpaths, and connect students with theirclassmates. I am still not sure how EECSProfessor David Petr pulled the seminartogether for the fall, but he did it withtremendous success.In a previous IAB meeting, memberssuggested expanding our degree optionsto draw a broader range of students.The undergraduate InterdisciplinaryComputing program, launched this fall,specializes in computer science and oneof five fields of study: astronomy, biology,chemistry, geography, or physics. Studentswill learn how to build computationaltools and applications that best meetthe needs of their second field of study.EECS Professor Arvin Agah, who ledthe approval process through the Boardof Regents, has said many times thatstudents want to have a direct impact onreal-world challenges. The IC degree givesstudents a great avenue to do this.We had another IAB meeting in Novemberto present a status report on the initiativesset forth in the spring and to beginupdating the five-year strategic plan forthe Department. I am incredibly gratefulto our IAB members for taking time out oftheir busy schedules to help EECS growand build upon its current success.The following pages highlight theincredible year we have had in 2011.EECS students and faculty have achievednational recognition for their efforts. Wehave another W.T. Kemper Fellowship forTeaching Excellence winner and multiplestudents who have earned NationalScience Foundation fellowships. Ourfeatured alumnus is using his skills andknowledge to build an IT infrastructure inhis home nation of Bhutan.Thank you for your continued support ofEECS. I can't wait to see what 2012 bringsus. •Advisory Board Members (l to r) Robert Herrington, Kevin Wagner,Bob Chaney, Ted Batchman, Bert Soto, Scott Francis, Phil Anderson,Brian Ruf, Mitchell Trope, Cyndi Anschutz, Brian McClendon, andCraig Sparks met at the Adams Alumni Center in April.EECS News 2011 1
Page 1: Department ofElectrical Engineering
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Page 8 and 9: Department News » »Distinguished
Page 10 and 11: New FacultyExperts in Data Privacy,
Page 12 and 13: Faculty Awards » »Innovative Teac
Page 14 and 15: Undergraduate SpotlightMeet EECS se
Page 16 and 17: Self Fellows » »Students Design H
Page 18 and 19: Jayhawk Motorsports » »Students B
Page 20 and 21: Graduate SpotlightMeet EECS doctora
Page 22: Graduate Student Success » »DoD A
Page 27 and 28: Tools Test Software CorrectnessTech
Page 29 and 30: The Center for the Remote Sensing o
Page 31 and 32: Alumni SpotlightTshering Shares Inc

2011 Edition - Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - The ...

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