By Dr. Rick McKenzie, Professor and Chair, CMSE
The CMSE Department and CMSE IAB requested support for an ODU Men's Basketball game inviting our alumni and Industry Advisory Board (IAB) board members as well as a few stand-out CMSE students. The Department Chair and representatives from the Batten College of Engineering and Technology (BCET) Dean's Office also attended including Dean Adams, Sarah Martin, and Bonita Anthony. We also had a brief appearance from Provost Agho.
The goal was to get our alumni and IAB actively engaged with the Department and provide student opportunities to network with industry professionals. This goal was definitely achieved as several IAB members attended.
A secondary goal was to identify active CMSE Alumni to participate, on a volunteer basis, on the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) and contribute to the direction and success of the CMSE Department and academic programs. This goal was also achieved and below is a quote from such an alumni who we plan to invite to join our IAB.
"I was honored to be a part of the event. My wife and I enjoyed the evening. We were impressed with the students, and faculty. It was great seeing how much the CMSE Program has accomplished. The evening inspired me to do more to help the program and the students with funding for future endeavors." Harry Johnson Sr., D.Eng, M&S, Lockheed Martin Fellow M&S, CETO MDI
The theme for the game (Thursday, January 31, 2019 at the TED) was to highlight the retirement of long time University Professor Roland Mielke and celebrate his contributions. This was highly effective as many of his ex-students and acquaintances came by to sign the rocking chair that we awarded him. We had an attendance of 34 at this event plus a special guest appearance of our Big Blue mascot seen below.