http://www.uatrav.com/2010/engineering-society-initiates-new-members/
On November 18, Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honor Society which invities initiates based on academic achievement, welcomed 27 initiates from seven engineering departments into the prestigious society.
The organization is designed to develop communication and leadership skills and provide scholarships, fellowships, networking and career opportunities to distinguished engineering students.
“My favorite thing about Tau Beta Pi is witnessing the power and prestige of our network,” said David Fryauf, current Tau Beta Pi president. “Many successful and influential engineers both in professional fields and in academia are members of Tau Beta Pi, and they always recognize the achievement and commitment it takes to become a member of this organization.”
TBP is the only society representing the entire engineering profession and was founded in 1885 by Edward H. Williams Jr. The University of Arkansas chapter began December 14, 1914.
Membership requires having earned a distinguished scholarship, academic rank in the top 1/8 of the junior engineering class or the top 1/5 of the senior engineering class and having exemplary characteristics of integrity, adaptability, breadth of interests and a record of unselfish service, according to Tau Beta Pi posters.
The 27 engineering students that became official members by meeting these requirements and participating in the initiation ceremony on November 18, “must participate in the required service events and one social event, make a plaque, collect student and faculty member signatures, and thoroughly learn the history and details of Tau Beta Pi,” Fryauf said.
Congratulations to the 2010/2011 initiates!!
Mechanical Engineering (7 initiates)
Lucas Brown, Khanh Dang, Jason Haynes, Monica Jones, Rebecca Leonard, Bryceson Nunley and Luke Osborn
Electrical Engineering (6 initiates)
Tyler Bowman, Whitney Davis, David Hendren, Lauren Kegley, Elliott Korb and Michael Heath Richardson
Industrial Engineering (4 initiates)
Christopher Adkins, Sergio Maldona, Nick Martin and Crystal Wilson
Chemical Engineering (3 initiates)
Elizabeth Fullerton, Alexander Kreps and Anthony Smith
Civil Engineering (3 initiates)
Shane Matthew Adams, Camila Maldonado and Michael Andrew Roster
Computer Engineering (3 initiates)
John Brady, Matthew Rothmeyer and Francis Sabado
Biological and Agricultural Engineering (1 initiate)
Jimmy Vo
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Last EWB Meeting Crucial for Active Members
12.1.10
The last Engineers Without Borders Meeting of the semester was brief but crucial for active members, covering details about the winter break trip to Belize and the last fundraising event of the year.
EWB members will set up a convenient coffee stand-bake sale at 8 a.m. Monday, December 6 at the top of the ramp in Bell Engineering Hall. Main retail items will include brownies and cookies. Predicted temperature climax is 38 degrees Fahrenheit, so don’t forget cash for a steamy cup of medium roast!
If you’d like to help bake items for the sale, meet with other members at Sarah Beth Dalby’s apartment at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 6. (For more information, contact her at sedalby@uark.edu)
Members are also encouraged to bake items at individual houses and bring them to the stand on Monday. Already, one student is doing so, another is bringing coffee cups, another is bringing sugar packets and the EWB Treasurer is collecting airpots from a generous donation/allowance from Arsaga’s Warehouse.
Members taking the trip to Belize have one crucial meeting this week. Because of rigid studying and class schedules, the meeting will take place twice. One is at 5 p.m. today, December 3, in the Civil Engineering Lounge. The other is on Tuesday, December 7, after 2:30 p.m. (time TBA.)
These meetings will coordinate the last of the EWB members’ meetings with department heads, for funding discussion.
Iain Bailey, an active EWB member, went to an engineering professor for advice on securing funding for the trip.
“She told me we need to rethink our proposal,” Bailey said. “We need a formal proposal that’s really detailed, including a very specific financial breakdown.”
One EWB action the professor approved was having separate groups for the two trips (one during winter break, one during spring break.)
“She suggested instead of sending 11 (people to Belize) in January, that we split it up between the two trips,” Bailey said.
As EWB President Nikki Lorenz pointed out, there are two very different groups for each trip, as a result of students’ widely varying plans.
“We have a lot of people going to the Spring trip that aren’t going on this one,” she said.
So the group is on top of the game for this point.
Another suggestion Bailey was given included formalizing your individual plans.
In paraphrasing the professor, he said, “We need to know your goals within your major and your career goals, your plans for after college. Why would I give you money if you don’t know that?”
Students appreciated the frankness of the professor, and instead of being upset, agreed that the information would definitely be beneficial on both sides: for the student and for the company to decide where funding should be applied.
Other members noted the value of such detailed, special-formatted documents for corporate packages.
“It’s just courteous,” Bailey said.
President Lorenz suggested that members begin contacting companies as soon as possible to secure funding for the Belize trip scheduled for March.
“Companies take longer to get a straight answer from them, so we should start now with proposals,” she said. “When you return (from this Belize trip), add information from the first trip to the proposals.”
Students at the meeting who have traveled abroad previously highly suggested having a detailed agenda for the January trip. A particular experience included fixing less than half the amount of filters expected, creating something that was later blown away in a hurricane and having a few days of nothing to do.
The EWB consensus is to prevent such conflicts.
EWB members must consult the study abroad office before taking the trip, so the Friday and Tuesday meetings will coordinate that effort.
Fundraising during winter break is up for discussion. Please contact EWB members if you’re available or have fundraising ideas that they could use.
The last Engineers Without Borders Meeting of the semester was brief but crucial for active members, covering details about the winter break trip to Belize and the last fundraising event of the year.
EWB members will set up a convenient coffee stand-bake sale at 8 a.m. Monday, December 6 at the top of the ramp in Bell Engineering Hall. Main retail items will include brownies and cookies. Predicted temperature climax is 38 degrees Fahrenheit, so don’t forget cash for a steamy cup of medium roast!
If you’d like to help bake items for the sale, meet with other members at Sarah Beth Dalby’s apartment at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 6. (For more information, contact her at sedalby@uark.edu)
Members are also encouraged to bake items at individual houses and bring them to the stand on Monday. Already, one student is doing so, another is bringing coffee cups, another is bringing sugar packets and the EWB Treasurer is collecting airpots from a generous donation/allowance from Arsaga’s Warehouse.
Members taking the trip to Belize have one crucial meeting this week. Because of rigid studying and class schedules, the meeting will take place twice. One is at 5 p.m. today, December 3, in the Civil Engineering Lounge. The other is on Tuesday, December 7, after 2:30 p.m. (time TBA.)
These meetings will coordinate the last of the EWB members’ meetings with department heads, for funding discussion.
Iain Bailey, an active EWB member, went to an engineering professor for advice on securing funding for the trip.
“She told me we need to rethink our proposal,” Bailey said. “We need a formal proposal that’s really detailed, including a very specific financial breakdown.”
One EWB action the professor approved was having separate groups for the two trips (one during winter break, one during spring break.)
“She suggested instead of sending 11 (people to Belize) in January, that we split it up between the two trips,” Bailey said.
As EWB President Nikki Lorenz pointed out, there are two very different groups for each trip, as a result of students’ widely varying plans.
“We have a lot of people going to the Spring trip that aren’t going on this one,” she said.
So the group is on top of the game for this point.
Another suggestion Bailey was given included formalizing your individual plans.
In paraphrasing the professor, he said, “We need to know your goals within your major and your career goals, your plans for after college. Why would I give you money if you don’t know that?”
Students appreciated the frankness of the professor, and instead of being upset, agreed that the information would definitely be beneficial on both sides: for the student and for the company to decide where funding should be applied.
Other members noted the value of such detailed, special-formatted documents for corporate packages.
“It’s just courteous,” Bailey said.
President Lorenz suggested that members begin contacting companies as soon as possible to secure funding for the Belize trip scheduled for March.
“Companies take longer to get a straight answer from them, so we should start now with proposals,” she said. “When you return (from this Belize trip), add information from the first trip to the proposals.”
Students at the meeting who have traveled abroad previously highly suggested having a detailed agenda for the January trip. A particular experience included fixing less than half the amount of filters expected, creating something that was later blown away in a hurricane and having a few days of nothing to do.
The EWB consensus is to prevent such conflicts.
EWB members must consult the study abroad office before taking the trip, so the Friday and Tuesday meetings will coordinate that effort.
Fundraising during winter break is up for discussion. Please contact EWB members if you’re available or have fundraising ideas that they could use.
Monday, November 29, 2010
As the last leaf falls
With regret of the last fallen leaves, I finally penned my autumn playlist. These songs are my reliables-- what's in the background if I run out of Pandora hours or don't have time to procure a new playlist. Either way, they're some of my favorites--if you don't know them, give it a listen. Then share your faves with me..
"Colorblind" Natalie Walker
"Falling in love at a coffeeshop" Landon Pigg
"Suffocation Keep" The Slip
"Young Folks" Peter Bjorn
"John Wayne Gacy Jr" Sufjan Stevens
"Feeling Good" Muse
"Volcano" Damien Rice
"Funeral" Band of Horses
"Clubbed to Death" Rob Dougan
"I had a dream" Priscilla Ahn
"The Girl" by City and Colour
"Loud Pipes" by Ratatat
"Hello Benjamin" Melpo Mene
"Come Rain or Come Shine" Billy Holiday
"Sweet Disposition" Temper Trap
"Back to Manhattan" Norah Jones
"Colorblind" Natalie Walker
"Falling in love at a coffeeshop" Landon Pigg
"Suffocation Keep" The Slip
"Young Folks" Peter Bjorn
"John Wayne Gacy Jr" Sufjan Stevens
"Feeling Good" Muse
"Volcano" Damien Rice
"Funeral" Band of Horses
"Clubbed to Death" Rob Dougan
"I had a dream" Priscilla Ahn
"The Girl" by City and Colour
"Loud Pipes" by Ratatat
"Hello Benjamin" Melpo Mene
"Come Rain or Come Shine" Billy Holiday
"Sweet Disposition" Temper Trap
"Back to Manhattan" Norah Jones
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Engineers Without Borders mold Belize trip plans
As the weeks of the semester fall to the wayside, the service project in Belize is shaping up for the Engineers Without Borders. Officers are organizing fundraising, paperwork, room, board and plane ticket arrangements, while members continually contribute helpful ideas to keep the project rolling.
“We need face-time with people, or we can’t get money/have potential to get money,” said International Project Chair, Ben Marts.
The group is planning strategy for fundraising efforts by compiling lists of sponsors that would be helpful and making use of resources for food and coffee stands to raise money inbetween classes.
“We need to start scheduling appointments with the (various engineering) departments,” Marts said.
The official list of EWB members actively planning for the trip is at 12 people.
Other professors have taken interest in the impending trip.
“Dr.( Vasundara V.) Varadan, an EE professor, spoke to me about EWB and she seemed to want to help,” said fundraising chair, Zach Bever. “She spoke of (many things, but especially) drafting a proposal to make this a class that would make it easier to fund.”
Bever seemed to find Varadan as a great advantage because of her beneficial persistence.
“That’s a lot of money potentially from the Honors College, requested from individual students, (not as a group,)” he said.
Members discussed the process, which would include professors signing off and professor sponsorship.
The Belize trip during the summer is already a credited class, so professor and advisor Soerens contributed to the debate.
“Next year is our (the summer class’) fifth year, so our class would have to renew,” he said. “We should make a new (proposal) that’s engineer-specific. It’s hard enough to fund a course that has two weeks on campus and three weeks in Belize.”
If the idea is picked up by the group, the EWB class might be an engineering design class, since many of the Belize projects center on design.
Members are still deciding on a propaganda officer. This person would be the main photographer and write a report about the Belize activities to send to sponsors, post on the website and use for future flyers, fundraisers and other information.
In other news:
EWB will sell t-shirts in the very near future, for both members and non-members.
“I’d really like us to have a shirt to wear when we do stuff (together),” said Jenny Doyle, EWB Secretary.
The ten members attending the regional conference hope to have a common t-shirt secured before the trip on November 12.
If you have a creative and simple idea for a catchy EWB t-shirt, please email Jenny Doyle or Nikki Lorenz at jmdoyle@uark.edu and nlorenz@uark.edu.
Members continue plans for further fundraisers. Look forward to a coffee stand set up in front of Bell near finals week, set up from 8 a.m.- noon.
“We need face-time with people, or we can’t get money/have potential to get money,” said International Project Chair, Ben Marts.
The group is planning strategy for fundraising efforts by compiling lists of sponsors that would be helpful and making use of resources for food and coffee stands to raise money inbetween classes.
“We need to start scheduling appointments with the (various engineering) departments,” Marts said.
The official list of EWB members actively planning for the trip is at 12 people.
Other professors have taken interest in the impending trip.
“Dr.( Vasundara V.) Varadan, an EE professor, spoke to me about EWB and she seemed to want to help,” said fundraising chair, Zach Bever. “She spoke of (many things, but especially) drafting a proposal to make this a class that would make it easier to fund.”
Bever seemed to find Varadan as a great advantage because of her beneficial persistence.
“That’s a lot of money potentially from the Honors College, requested from individual students, (not as a group,)” he said.
Members discussed the process, which would include professors signing off and professor sponsorship.
The Belize trip during the summer is already a credited class, so professor and advisor Soerens contributed to the debate.
“Next year is our (the summer class’) fifth year, so our class would have to renew,” he said. “We should make a new (proposal) that’s engineer-specific. It’s hard enough to fund a course that has two weeks on campus and three weeks in Belize.”
If the idea is picked up by the group, the EWB class might be an engineering design class, since many of the Belize projects center on design.
Members are still deciding on a propaganda officer. This person would be the main photographer and write a report about the Belize activities to send to sponsors, post on the website and use for future flyers, fundraisers and other information.
In other news:
EWB will sell t-shirts in the very near future, for both members and non-members.
“I’d really like us to have a shirt to wear when we do stuff (together),” said Jenny Doyle, EWB Secretary.
The ten members attending the regional conference hope to have a common t-shirt secured before the trip on November 12.
If you have a creative and simple idea for a catchy EWB t-shirt, please email Jenny Doyle or Nikki Lorenz at jmdoyle@uark.edu and nlorenz@uark.edu.
Members continue plans for further fundraisers. Look forward to a coffee stand set up in front of Bell near finals week, set up from 8 a.m.- noon.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
EWB raises $300 for Belize project, finds more tasks
The EWB Bake Sale on Friday earned $275, giving the group hope through a successful first fundraising event and jumpstarting the funding to their service project in Belize.
This week’s Engineers Without Borders meeting was kept short and sweet, giving students a break during one of the busiest times of the semester.
EWB members attending the regional conference (in two weeks) should have paid the registration fees and filled out a form concerning student travelling. If you haven’t filled out the form, go by Dr. Soerens office today or Friday to do so.
If you are one of the three drivers for the event, please watch the driver’s safety video.
The Dallas conference will provide only one meal, a banquet on Saturday, so please prepare to provide for yourself by bringing food or money for food.
EWB Treasurer, Gavin Smith is preparing the EWB budget for the ASG (RSO) budget review on November 1. The meeting is to secure funding for the spring semester.
Other members discussed increasing publicity by reserving space on the departmental advertisement TV.
Local project chair, Sarah Beth Dalby suggested the group join the University volunteer website to effectively track volunteer hours and make use of the listserv to keep service ideas rolling.
The EWB Belize group has even more on their plate than originally planned.
Previously, the to-do list for their five day trip in January was too long to accomplish everything. But now, the area has hurricane damage. The group has much more work than they could handle in a week.
“We made contact last night about a place to stay,” said Ben Marts, International Project Chair.
EWB members going to Belize are organizing fundraising efforts by first inquiring their personal engineering departments. Marts is securing the letterheads, which are available for pickup today and Friday.
Other members will make inquiries to FEP.
The spirit of the group turned bright in the consideration that the College of Engineering is attempting to cover travel costs for the project, which takes place January 10-15, 2011.
This week’s Engineers Without Borders meeting was kept short and sweet, giving students a break during one of the busiest times of the semester.
EWB members attending the regional conference (in two weeks) should have paid the registration fees and filled out a form concerning student travelling. If you haven’t filled out the form, go by Dr. Soerens office today or Friday to do so.
If you are one of the three drivers for the event, please watch the driver’s safety video.
The Dallas conference will provide only one meal, a banquet on Saturday, so please prepare to provide for yourself by bringing food or money for food.
EWB Treasurer, Gavin Smith is preparing the EWB budget for the ASG (RSO) budget review on November 1. The meeting is to secure funding for the spring semester.
Other members discussed increasing publicity by reserving space on the departmental advertisement TV.
Local project chair, Sarah Beth Dalby suggested the group join the University volunteer website to effectively track volunteer hours and make use of the listserv to keep service ideas rolling.
The EWB Belize group has even more on their plate than originally planned.
Previously, the to-do list for their five day trip in January was too long to accomplish everything. But now, the area has hurricane damage. The group has much more work than they could handle in a week.
“We made contact last night about a place to stay,” said Ben Marts, International Project Chair.
EWB members going to Belize are organizing fundraising efforts by first inquiring their personal engineering departments. Marts is securing the letterheads, which are available for pickup today and Friday.
Other members will make inquiries to FEP.
The spirit of the group turned bright in the consideration that the College of Engineering is attempting to cover travel costs for the project, which takes place January 10-15, 2011.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
RSO Highlight: National Society of Black Engineers
October 27, 2010
The National Society of Black Engineers increases the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
What is it?
One of the largest student-governed organizations in the country, the society offers leadership training, professional development, mentoring opportunities and career placement service, according to the NSBE website.
NSBE president of the UA Chapter, Ben Onukwube joined during his freshman year in August 2007. Even though he had little information about the RSO, he somehow knew it would be the right one.
“I joined because the name sounded really appealing. It sounded like an RSO that was designed for me,” he said.
In those few years, Onukwube reaped the academic and professional benefits of the society. But he found that his favorite thing was seeing other students do the same.
“I enjoy the opportunities given to our members, especially when (the opportunities) are taken advantage of,” he said. “Essentially NSBE has allowed me to see the world—well, at least the country.”
The UA Chapter of NSBE was established in September of 2004 and has 60 members. So far, the chapter has consistently attended regional and national conferences.
Who can join?
Members are not limited by year or experience: freshmen through seniors are all encouraged to join.
Mission
Onukwobe and his officers developed their own mission statement for the chapter: “To serve for the development of culturally aware engineers who pursue and exemplify excellence, strive for success, and continually contribute to the campus and the community.”
“It essentially represents our chapter’s reason for existence,” he said. “Essentially, we strive to provide our members with a feeling of home court advantage.”
Benefits
Partnerships and connections with Emerging Leaders, Center for Leadership and Community Engagement and Engineering Expo enables the society to provide extensive academic and professional training and development.
A current project for the group is a chapter résumé book that will be presented to company reps that speak at the regular NSBE meetings.
“Many of our members have no problems getting internships or full-time positions,” Onukwobe said. “Those who are looking for assistance with graduate school, the executive leadership is very well connected to employers, and…TC (Thomas Carter) does an incredible job of providing us with resources, research experience opportunities, and much more.”
What do I have to do?
NSBE officers expect excellence of members.
Members are expected to attend meetings regularly. The must be a part of volunteer initiatives, community service projects, must maintain a competitive GPA, help fellow members with challenging classes, and spread the word about NSBE.
Onukwobe stressed that the requirements are not only beneficial for the organization, but especially beneficial for the student.
“Members can lose out on a lot of perks of the organization by not actively participating,” he said. “Essentially you get out of this organization what you put into it, and if you participate actively, many, many advantageous doors can be opened for you.”
Events
Annual events include the Welcome Back” recruitment event, various community service events, NSBE regional conference (this year in New Orleans) and the NSBE national conference.
“This year we are making continual community service our main focus so we are working on developing a number of different initiatives: coat drive, can drive and a calculator drive,” Onukwobe said. “We are always thinking of different ways to increase our scope on campus and within the community.”
Officers
Each spring, NSBE members elect the basic officers of an RSO, as well as six additional chair positions that other RSOs might not have. The officers’ responsibilities last for a full year, instead of two semesters.
This year, Pedro Maltos assumes role as vice president; Triest Smart is Treasurer; Justin Wright is Chapter Secretary; Daisha Booth is Academic Chair; Rakiya Tasiu is Community Service Chair; Chase Truttling is Fundraising Chair; Danny Dixon is Pre-College Initiative Chair; Joshua King is Programming Chair and Pedro Maltos is also Public Relations Chair.
Advisors
The main NSBE advisor is Assistant Dean of Student Services and Student Affairs, Thomas Carter, III.
“He’s a big help to our chapter (in) getting things done, communicating with the college, providing available resources, and developing a connection with the students and much more,” Onukwube said.
Bryan Hill, Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering; Emily Williams, Assistant Director of Development Engineering; Evease Tucker, Development Assistant; and a number of other faculty members on campus are also advisors.
Why NSBE is different this year
“This is more of a transitional rebuilding year, so a lot of work is being done to improve our infrastructure, align our goals and programs in order to stably project our chapter into the future.”
The National Society of Black Engineers increases the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
What is it?
One of the largest student-governed organizations in the country, the society offers leadership training, professional development, mentoring opportunities and career placement service, according to the NSBE website.
NSBE president of the UA Chapter, Ben Onukwube joined during his freshman year in August 2007. Even though he had little information about the RSO, he somehow knew it would be the right one.
“I joined because the name sounded really appealing. It sounded like an RSO that was designed for me,” he said.
In those few years, Onukwube reaped the academic and professional benefits of the society. But he found that his favorite thing was seeing other students do the same.
“I enjoy the opportunities given to our members, especially when (the opportunities) are taken advantage of,” he said. “Essentially NSBE has allowed me to see the world—well, at least the country.”
The UA Chapter of NSBE was established in September of 2004 and has 60 members. So far, the chapter has consistently attended regional and national conferences.
Who can join?
Members are not limited by year or experience: freshmen through seniors are all encouraged to join.
Mission
Onukwobe and his officers developed their own mission statement for the chapter: “To serve for the development of culturally aware engineers who pursue and exemplify excellence, strive for success, and continually contribute to the campus and the community.”
“It essentially represents our chapter’s reason for existence,” he said. “Essentially, we strive to provide our members with a feeling of home court advantage.”
Benefits
Partnerships and connections with Emerging Leaders, Center for Leadership and Community Engagement and Engineering Expo enables the society to provide extensive academic and professional training and development.
A current project for the group is a chapter résumé book that will be presented to company reps that speak at the regular NSBE meetings.
“Many of our members have no problems getting internships or full-time positions,” Onukwobe said. “Those who are looking for assistance with graduate school, the executive leadership is very well connected to employers, and…TC (Thomas Carter) does an incredible job of providing us with resources, research experience opportunities, and much more.”
What do I have to do?
NSBE officers expect excellence of members.
Members are expected to attend meetings regularly. The must be a part of volunteer initiatives, community service projects, must maintain a competitive GPA, help fellow members with challenging classes, and spread the word about NSBE.
Onukwobe stressed that the requirements are not only beneficial for the organization, but especially beneficial for the student.
“Members can lose out on a lot of perks of the organization by not actively participating,” he said. “Essentially you get out of this organization what you put into it, and if you participate actively, many, many advantageous doors can be opened for you.”
Events
Annual events include the Welcome Back” recruitment event, various community service events, NSBE regional conference (this year in New Orleans) and the NSBE national conference.
“This year we are making continual community service our main focus so we are working on developing a number of different initiatives: coat drive, can drive and a calculator drive,” Onukwobe said. “We are always thinking of different ways to increase our scope on campus and within the community.”
Officers
Each spring, NSBE members elect the basic officers of an RSO, as well as six additional chair positions that other RSOs might not have. The officers’ responsibilities last for a full year, instead of two semesters.
This year, Pedro Maltos assumes role as vice president; Triest Smart is Treasurer; Justin Wright is Chapter Secretary; Daisha Booth is Academic Chair; Rakiya Tasiu is Community Service Chair; Chase Truttling is Fundraising Chair; Danny Dixon is Pre-College Initiative Chair; Joshua King is Programming Chair and Pedro Maltos is also Public Relations Chair.
Advisors
The main NSBE advisor is Assistant Dean of Student Services and Student Affairs, Thomas Carter, III.
“He’s a big help to our chapter (in) getting things done, communicating with the college, providing available resources, and developing a connection with the students and much more,” Onukwube said.
Bryan Hill, Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering; Emily Williams, Assistant Director of Development Engineering; Evease Tucker, Development Assistant; and a number of other faculty members on campus are also advisors.
Why NSBE is different this year
“This is more of a transitional rebuilding year, so a lot of work is being done to improve our infrastructure, align our goals and programs in order to stably project our chapter into the future.”
EWB: Bake Sale and Regional Conference In Order
October 20, 2010
Engineers Without Borders had a lot on their plate for this weekly meeting. Local volunteering, trips out of state, plans for future international projects were all hot topics.
Their effort at Make a Difference Day on Saturday resulted in the successful creation of a rain barrel.
Members seem to be looking forward to the group’s next event, a campus bake sale set up at the Union on Friday. Wednesday evening was filled with poster distribution and trips to the grocery store, then today the members are meeting up for a communal bake-and-study-engineering session. The bake sale begins at 8 a.m. on Friday morning. (Skip breakfast and don’t forget your cash!)
The trip to Dallas for the Regional EWB Conference is only three weeks away. Members planning to attend *must* drop by the bake sale or contact Treasurer Gavin Smith today or tomorrow, to pay the registration fee of $35.20 and leave the information listed below so that the group will be officially registered.
Put the registration fee in an envelope and the following information ON the envelope: your First Name, Last Name, name as it would appear on the badge, Company/Organization, Address, City, US State/Canadian Province, Zip (Postal Code), Work Phone, Cell Phone, tee-shirt size and dietary restrictions.
All envelopes should go into a manila envelope at the Bake Sale or into the hands of Gavin Smith.
The $35.20 is higher than the original estimates because “There was only $437.80 in the (EWB) student account,” Smith said.
EWB actively plans more events for the school year, in an attempt to put the RSO funding to good use bringing in valuable speakers, watching educational videos or having a chance for further engineering education outside of the classroom.
ASG makes it possible for each RSO to have three events or trips per year.
The first event is the regional conference, so the discussion of possibilities for the second is hosting an engineer to speak at the university.
“I’ve been in touch with Jaime from UNC about him speaking,” President Nikki Lorenz said. “We haven’t nailed down a specific date, but it looks like…we might have him here after spring break.”
Members discussed another possibility, such as a screening of a particular engineering or science-related movie: something from Modern Marvels or Extreme Engineering.
EWB Advisor, Dr. Soerens suggested probing University Housing for funding as a bright prospect.
Another event possibility is the EWB International Conference on March 24-27 in Louisville, Ky.
“We could have an Engineering Days event- three days full of events, sort of like the Hydrology Days,” Professor Soerens said.
Other members have been to the Hydrology Days and seemed to enjoy it, so the idea was tabbed for later.
The local project with the elementary science club received materials with project ideas, one of which was an Alternative Fuel Project that the group is considering for their lesson.
After a fair amount of confusion about the official status of the UA Chapter—whether it was officially part of the national EWB or not—the group found their name listed as an official chapter.
The dues for official membership are high for a student non-profit, about $500, so the group discussed the advantages of using the official EWB name, which were basically having more accountability (going through processes checking activity or papers) and a resume builder because the official name carries a lot of weight.
EWB members also began contemplating teaming up with other engineering organizations.
Professor Soerens had a Baylor engineering student contact him about collaboration with Engineers with a Mission. “Typically EWB stays away from religious organizations, but they end up working with them anyway because they are all the same people (working on these projects),” he said.
The thoughts on joining up with that particular organization are very tentative, but EWB hopes to find some sort of sister organization.
Engineers Without Borders had a lot on their plate for this weekly meeting. Local volunteering, trips out of state, plans for future international projects were all hot topics.
Their effort at Make a Difference Day on Saturday resulted in the successful creation of a rain barrel.
Members seem to be looking forward to the group’s next event, a campus bake sale set up at the Union on Friday. Wednesday evening was filled with poster distribution and trips to the grocery store, then today the members are meeting up for a communal bake-and-study-engineering session. The bake sale begins at 8 a.m. on Friday morning. (Skip breakfast and don’t forget your cash!)
The trip to Dallas for the Regional EWB Conference is only three weeks away. Members planning to attend *must* drop by the bake sale or contact Treasurer Gavin Smith today or tomorrow, to pay the registration fee of $35.20 and leave the information listed below so that the group will be officially registered.
Put the registration fee in an envelope and the following information ON the envelope: your First Name, Last Name, name as it would appear on the badge, Company/Organization, Address, City, US State/Canadian Province, Zip (Postal Code), Work Phone, Cell Phone, tee-shirt size and dietary restrictions.
All envelopes should go into a manila envelope at the Bake Sale or into the hands of Gavin Smith.
The $35.20 is higher than the original estimates because “There was only $437.80 in the (EWB) student account,” Smith said.
EWB actively plans more events for the school year, in an attempt to put the RSO funding to good use bringing in valuable speakers, watching educational videos or having a chance for further engineering education outside of the classroom.
ASG makes it possible for each RSO to have three events or trips per year.
The first event is the regional conference, so the discussion of possibilities for the second is hosting an engineer to speak at the university.
“I’ve been in touch with Jaime from UNC about him speaking,” President Nikki Lorenz said. “We haven’t nailed down a specific date, but it looks like…we might have him here after spring break.”
Members discussed another possibility, such as a screening of a particular engineering or science-related movie: something from Modern Marvels or Extreme Engineering.
EWB Advisor, Dr. Soerens suggested probing University Housing for funding as a bright prospect.
Another event possibility is the EWB International Conference on March 24-27 in Louisville, Ky.
“We could have an Engineering Days event- three days full of events, sort of like the Hydrology Days,” Professor Soerens said.
Other members have been to the Hydrology Days and seemed to enjoy it, so the idea was tabbed for later.
The local project with the elementary science club received materials with project ideas, one of which was an Alternative Fuel Project that the group is considering for their lesson.
After a fair amount of confusion about the official status of the UA Chapter—whether it was officially part of the national EWB or not—the group found their name listed as an official chapter.
The dues for official membership are high for a student non-profit, about $500, so the group discussed the advantages of using the official EWB name, which were basically having more accountability (going through processes checking activity or papers) and a resume builder because the official name carries a lot of weight.
EWB members also began contemplating teaming up with other engineering organizations.
Professor Soerens had a Baylor engineering student contact him about collaboration with Engineers with a Mission. “Typically EWB stays away from religious organizations, but they end up working with them anyway because they are all the same people (working on these projects),” he said.
The thoughts on joining up with that particular organization are very tentative, but EWB hopes to find some sort of sister organization.
Engineers Without Borders develops service project plans
October 14, 2010
Details are coming into place for fundraising, trips and Make a Difference Day in the Engineers Without Borders meetings.
The EWB Make a Difference Day group has been solidified for Saturday and will be working at Lake Wedington. There are still a few possible projects they will be assigned to: Illinois Watershed on Lake Wedington; giving canoeing lessons; water quality monitoring or geo-caching.
Water quality “is not as glamorous (as giving canoeing lessons), but is still fun,” said Nikki Lorenz, EWB president.
A casual social gathering is planned for 5:30 p.m. this Monday, October 25, at Gusano’s on Wedington. Those attending are welcome to meet in the Bell parking lot at 5 p.m. to carpool.
The Engineers Without Borders benefit Bake Sale is 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on October 22 in front of the Arkansas Union.
Shortly following next Wednesday’s meeting (October 20) members should expect to make a group supply run for baking ingredients. The actual bake-off will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 21, at EWB Secretary Jenny Doyle’s house.
Members attending the EWB Regional Conference on November 12-14 in Dallas should be expected to pay 14 dollars and an additional sum for gas; an approximate total of 35 dollars. So far, the final count for the trip is 10 members, but if you’re going and haven’t contacted officers, do so as soon as possible.
A few EWB members are actively researching various approaches to fundraising.
Lorenz called a few members to meet with a professor, who advised delaying the requests for company donations and instead focus on Honors College and other department funding.
Other members are working on creating a promotion letter. One member spoke to Chik-fil-A employees about the Thursday donations. Essentially, the group can post a flyer and if the customer decides to donate, then 10 percent of the order total goes to EWB. Since the offer is available only once a week, Chik-fil-A is booked until January, so EWB officers are reserving a donation Thursday for January 2011.
In the future, there will be a coordination meeting for EWB members that are most interested in being fundraising representatives for the team.
The dates and trip cost for the first Belize trip (during winter break) have been solidified.
The expected travel dates are January 10-15, with a cost of $1400 per person. Below is the approximate break down of that cost: $50/person for gas (the group will have a bus to use in Belize), $100 trip to island; $600-800 plane ticket; $150 travel insurance; $200ish for supplies.
For more information, there is a Belize Trip Meeting at 5 p.m. today (October 14) in the Civil Engineering Lounge. If you’re planning to make this trip, you must either attend the meeting or email the International Project Chair, Ben Marts at bmarts@uark.edu.
Other service project ideas were brought to the table:
President Lorenz has a list of engineering projects (mostly concerning sustainability and water quality) to teach and engage elementary students in. The science club at Leverett Elementary School meets on Thursdays from 3-4:30 p.m. and is very enthusiastic about EWB involvement.
For starters, Lorenz said, “We could go and build a water filter to explain how it works and what it does.” Basically, the students could observe the making of the filter and the water at different quality levels.
The Stream Team has a stream cleanup session starting near Wilson Park on Scull Creek set for this Saturday, October 23.
Members are also considering bringing a speaker to the University this semester. Ken Breckinridge , Jimmy Bantchren, and the founder of the UA chapter of EWB, Julie Jones were all suggested. The final choices is yet to be decided.
Secretary Doyle raised a question of participation in the Alternative Holiday Gift Fair in the Union this winter. Professor Soerens suggested having people donate money in someone’s name, to enable EWB to buy supplies, such as pipes, for the Belize projects.
If you have other alternative gift ideas that would be relevant to EWB, bring them to the next meeting on October 20 or email an officer (nlorenz@uark.edu).
Details are coming into place for fundraising, trips and Make a Difference Day in the Engineers Without Borders meetings.
The EWB Make a Difference Day group has been solidified for Saturday and will be working at Lake Wedington. There are still a few possible projects they will be assigned to: Illinois Watershed on Lake Wedington; giving canoeing lessons; water quality monitoring or geo-caching.
Water quality “is not as glamorous (as giving canoeing lessons), but is still fun,” said Nikki Lorenz, EWB president.
A casual social gathering is planned for 5:30 p.m. this Monday, October 25, at Gusano’s on Wedington. Those attending are welcome to meet in the Bell parking lot at 5 p.m. to carpool.
The Engineers Without Borders benefit Bake Sale is 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on October 22 in front of the Arkansas Union.
Shortly following next Wednesday’s meeting (October 20) members should expect to make a group supply run for baking ingredients. The actual bake-off will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 21, at EWB Secretary Jenny Doyle’s house.
Members attending the EWB Regional Conference on November 12-14 in Dallas should be expected to pay 14 dollars and an additional sum for gas; an approximate total of 35 dollars. So far, the final count for the trip is 10 members, but if you’re going and haven’t contacted officers, do so as soon as possible.
A few EWB members are actively researching various approaches to fundraising.
Lorenz called a few members to meet with a professor, who advised delaying the requests for company donations and instead focus on Honors College and other department funding.
Other members are working on creating a promotion letter. One member spoke to Chik-fil-A employees about the Thursday donations. Essentially, the group can post a flyer and if the customer decides to donate, then 10 percent of the order total goes to EWB. Since the offer is available only once a week, Chik-fil-A is booked until January, so EWB officers are reserving a donation Thursday for January 2011.
In the future, there will be a coordination meeting for EWB members that are most interested in being fundraising representatives for the team.
The dates and trip cost for the first Belize trip (during winter break) have been solidified.
The expected travel dates are January 10-15, with a cost of $1400 per person. Below is the approximate break down of that cost: $50/person for gas (the group will have a bus to use in Belize), $100 trip to island; $600-800 plane ticket; $150 travel insurance; $200ish for supplies.
For more information, there is a Belize Trip Meeting at 5 p.m. today (October 14) in the Civil Engineering Lounge. If you’re planning to make this trip, you must either attend the meeting or email the International Project Chair, Ben Marts at bmarts@uark.edu.
Other service project ideas were brought to the table:
President Lorenz has a list of engineering projects (mostly concerning sustainability and water quality) to teach and engage elementary students in. The science club at Leverett Elementary School meets on Thursdays from 3-4:30 p.m. and is very enthusiastic about EWB involvement.
For starters, Lorenz said, “We could go and build a water filter to explain how it works and what it does.” Basically, the students could observe the making of the filter and the water at different quality levels.
The Stream Team has a stream cleanup session starting near Wilson Park on Scull Creek set for this Saturday, October 23.
Members are also considering bringing a speaker to the University this semester. Ken Breckinridge , Jimmy Bantchren, and the founder of the UA chapter of EWB, Julie Jones were all suggested. The final choices is yet to be decided.
Secretary Doyle raised a question of participation in the Alternative Holiday Gift Fair in the Union this winter. Professor Soerens suggested having people donate money in someone’s name, to enable EWB to buy supplies, such as pipes, for the Belize projects.
If you have other alternative gift ideas that would be relevant to EWB, bring them to the next meeting on October 20 or email an officer (nlorenz@uark.edu).
American Ecological Engineering Society
October 13, 2010
The American Ecological Engineering Society is a team made mostly of biological engineering students that aims to educate the community about minimizing impact on the local environment.
The society promotes environmental stewardship and prepares ecological engineering student body for life after the undergraduate degree, according to the RSO website.
"My favorite thing about the organization is that it's fun. It's fun just to get together informally and be active for the community," said American Ecological Engineering Society president, Katy Rutledge. "Most of the time, we're in huge auditoriums with no opportunities to get to know the people around us. It's a good excuse to hang out with people in a different environment."
Who can join?You don't have to be an engineering student, or even a biological engineering student to join the AEES.
“Anyone can join our organization,” Rutledge said. “We have a sophomore interior design major and a nursing student that are in the society.”
The society coordinates closely with the Biological Engineering Group, so most AEES members are biological engineers. Even still, Rutledge is not an ecological engineer and the Carnival of Clubs attracted the attention of a variety of majors to the society. “That got more people interested (in us),” she said.
What do I have to do? There are no membership requirements and no membership fee. Members are encouraged to attend meetings and volunteer for the community.
American Ecological Engineering Society meets and volunteers actively. Unlike other student organizations, members are not required to participate in a certain amount of events; there are no penalties for not being involved, but participation is encouraged.
Rutledge said the main focus is simple: to leave minimal impact on the environment and educate the community.
Events and projectsThe local chapter of the society has two big service projects each year and this time the society is planning a trail cleanup at 2 p.m. on October 24, as one event.
“We want to see more people conserving natural resources,” Rutledge said.
AEES plans a watershed education day in partnership with IRWP because, Rutledge said, cleaning up local lakes is a good way for public to realize their own impact on the environment. Last year’s watershed day was mostly canoeing the lake and taking water samples.
“A lot of people don’t realize the impact of even just building a parking lot,” she said. “That affects the way the water runs off.”
So far, the organization hasn’t teamed up with ASG Vice President Billy Fleming’s Paperless Campus Initiative campaign, but Rutledge seemed interested in moving the society that direction.
AEES also plans more active recycling on campus, especially during (home) football games.
OfficersNathan Holeman is Vice President of the society; Evan Childress is secretary and Clark Trapp is the AEES Program Chair.
Rutledge explained that these officers are mostly juniors and seniors, because freshmen and sophomores are typically more hesitant to get involved.
Among the more unique officer positions is AEES treasurer, Jacob Taylor.
“He handles the RSO funding that we receive from ASG and coordinates the funds from the department, which we use for food during the meetings and for travel expenses,” Rutledge said.
Rutledge said the unique thing about leadership in the American Ecological Engineering Society is that the responsibility is not set, not completely based on which chair you hold because the officers are friends.
“We do have a service outreach chair. He is supposed to organize our events, but…me and (Nathan) the VP do it, too,” she said. “We’re all friends, so it’s kind of hard to make each other do what we’re supposed to do.”
Advisers“We have a few professors help us out,” Rutledge said. “Dr. Osborne is there (at meetings), Dr. Griffis likes to stand in, and sometimes Dr. Verma, the department head.”
Also, 2009 AEES president, Zak Johnson continues to lend a hand to the officers of the society.
Later this year, AEES hopes to bring a lecture weighing the benefits of grad school comparitively with entering the workforce.
What can I do?
Rutledge encourages Fayetteville residents to do as much as you can to reduce environmental impact, no matter how small the task seems.
She suggested composting and making rain barrels as beneficial activities.
“Walk, bike or carpool. Those are some of the easiest things you can do, with our trails around here,” she said.
One thing you can easily do but might not know about:
“There are a lot of chemicals in drinking water, which are hard to filter out,” Rutledge said. “What doesn’t help this is (what is harmful is) people flushing old or unwanted prescriptions down the toilet or drain.”
Instead, she suggests either sending or dropping off your unwanted prescriptions at Walgreens. There, a service, which costs only two dollars, will dispose of these prescriptions in a more environmentally safe manner.
The American Ecological Engineering Society is a team made mostly of biological engineering students that aims to educate the community about minimizing impact on the local environment.
The society promotes environmental stewardship and prepares ecological engineering student body for life after the undergraduate degree, according to the RSO website.
"My favorite thing about the organization is that it's fun. It's fun just to get together informally and be active for the community," said American Ecological Engineering Society president, Katy Rutledge. "Most of the time, we're in huge auditoriums with no opportunities to get to know the people around us. It's a good excuse to hang out with people in a different environment."
Who can join?You don't have to be an engineering student, or even a biological engineering student to join the AEES.
“Anyone can join our organization,” Rutledge said. “We have a sophomore interior design major and a nursing student that are in the society.”
The society coordinates closely with the Biological Engineering Group, so most AEES members are biological engineers. Even still, Rutledge is not an ecological engineer and the Carnival of Clubs attracted the attention of a variety of majors to the society. “That got more people interested (in us),” she said.
What do I have to do? There are no membership requirements and no membership fee. Members are encouraged to attend meetings and volunteer for the community.
American Ecological Engineering Society meets and volunteers actively. Unlike other student organizations, members are not required to participate in a certain amount of events; there are no penalties for not being involved, but participation is encouraged.
Rutledge said the main focus is simple: to leave minimal impact on the environment and educate the community.
Events and projectsThe local chapter of the society has two big service projects each year and this time the society is planning a trail cleanup at 2 p.m. on October 24, as one event.
“We want to see more people conserving natural resources,” Rutledge said.
AEES plans a watershed education day in partnership with IRWP because, Rutledge said, cleaning up local lakes is a good way for public to realize their own impact on the environment. Last year’s watershed day was mostly canoeing the lake and taking water samples.
“A lot of people don’t realize the impact of even just building a parking lot,” she said. “That affects the way the water runs off.”
So far, the organization hasn’t teamed up with ASG Vice President Billy Fleming’s Paperless Campus Initiative campaign, but Rutledge seemed interested in moving the society that direction.
AEES also plans more active recycling on campus, especially during (home) football games.
OfficersNathan Holeman is Vice President of the society; Evan Childress is secretary and Clark Trapp is the AEES Program Chair.
Rutledge explained that these officers are mostly juniors and seniors, because freshmen and sophomores are typically more hesitant to get involved.
Among the more unique officer positions is AEES treasurer, Jacob Taylor.
“He handles the RSO funding that we receive from ASG and coordinates the funds from the department, which we use for food during the meetings and for travel expenses,” Rutledge said.
Rutledge said the unique thing about leadership in the American Ecological Engineering Society is that the responsibility is not set, not completely based on which chair you hold because the officers are friends.
“We do have a service outreach chair. He is supposed to organize our events, but…me and (Nathan) the VP do it, too,” she said. “We’re all friends, so it’s kind of hard to make each other do what we’re supposed to do.”
Advisers“We have a few professors help us out,” Rutledge said. “Dr. Osborne is there (at meetings), Dr. Griffis likes to stand in, and sometimes Dr. Verma, the department head.”
Also, 2009 AEES president, Zak Johnson continues to lend a hand to the officers of the society.
Later this year, AEES hopes to bring a lecture weighing the benefits of grad school comparitively with entering the workforce.
What can I do?
Rutledge encourages Fayetteville residents to do as much as you can to reduce environmental impact, no matter how small the task seems.
She suggested composting and making rain barrels as beneficial activities.
“Walk, bike or carpool. Those are some of the easiest things you can do, with our trails around here,” she said.
One thing you can easily do but might not know about:
“There are a lot of chemicals in drinking water, which are hard to filter out,” Rutledge said. “What doesn’t help this is (what is harmful is) people flushing old or unwanted prescriptions down the toilet or drain.”
Instead, she suggests either sending or dropping off your unwanted prescriptions at Walgreens. There, a service, which costs only two dollars, will dispose of these prescriptions in a more environmentally safe manner.
EWB solidifies Make a Difference Day project
October 12, 2010
The NWA EWB decided on the Illinois Watershed project for their service in the Make a Difference Day, October 16.
This project lasts from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., so if you would like to carpool with other members, meet in the Bell parking lot at 8:50 a.m., so all can leave at 9 a.m. and arrive a little early, about 9:30.
The NWA EWB started organizing the first official fundraiser of the year: a bake sale with two stands, one in front of the union and one in front of Bell Engineering Center, simultaneously.
So far, members are planning to market breakfast items and baked goods in the morning, then cookies, brownies, other sweets in the afternoon.
To do so, the group will meet at a few different apartments on October 21 to have a bake off, while other members contribute by making granola.
The times of the bake sale are not solidified because of conflicting student schedules and opinions on good marketing.
“Early morning would be good because so many students don’t eat breakfast,” said EWB Vice President, Cody LaBarber.
Another EWB member suggested October 22 as the target date for the bake sale, because it’s during Family Week and “parents spend money.”
EWB members are corresponding with local businesses, such as Chik-fil-A and Qdoba for possible donations, but plan to make the majority of the products themselves.
EWB members expressed concern for putting specific spending amounts on the upcoming Belize trips, so International Project Chair, Ben Marts continued his work with the long string of contacts to confirm the price structure.
“I’m emailing a third party that’s emailing the other (person) who’s talking to Randy,” Marts said. “I should know by next week.”
The general cost is $30 per day plus the $600-650 flight and an exit fee between $35-40, so approximately $1000 should cover most expenses. The trip requires a minimum of four people to attend and has an unclear maximum of 35 people.
Connections made during previous trips to Belize by Dr. Soerens and Ben Marts will help keep the costs relatively low, especially in comparison to class-connected trips.
If you are planning to join EWB on the Belize trip in January, officers suggested securing your passport as soon as possible, since there is an average of a month, month and a half for the process to be completed.
One EWB member brought new fundraising information to the table after actively searching contacts for advice in requesting donations from professional organizations and other businesses.
One person suggested (since you’re students) go to your discipline to search for money.
“For example, civil engineering students should go to civil engineering firms to ask for money because they are the future of the company. Basically you can ask them for funding by essentially saying, ‘We are your future. Do you want us educated?’”
More local service outreaches are being considered, such as helping other schools by engaging students with engineering projects, having more creek cleanups or possibly a weekly bike trail-cleanup.
Once EWB t-shirts are decided upon, they’ll be sold within the department to professors and students before other groups.
The October 6 meeting was brightened by surprise gifts from Jenny Doyle, flash drives, bracelets and water bottles with the EWB logo proudly printed on front.
A total of six or seven people can attend the Dallas conference (November 12-14) for free as a result of ASG RSO funding.
This week, officers worked on conference details, finding out which students want to attend the conference the most-who will go based on the initial funding--who will attend, despite a cost and settling on the overall cost of the trip.
The October 13 meeting will be preceded by a half hour session with information about the EWB Regional Conference, starting at 5:30 p.m.
(Please join the group “Engineers Without Borders-University of Arkansas” on Facebook for more updates and timely information.)
The NWA EWB decided on the Illinois Watershed project for their service in the Make a Difference Day, October 16.
This project lasts from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., so if you would like to carpool with other members, meet in the Bell parking lot at 8:50 a.m., so all can leave at 9 a.m. and arrive a little early, about 9:30.
The NWA EWB started organizing the first official fundraiser of the year: a bake sale with two stands, one in front of the union and one in front of Bell Engineering Center, simultaneously.
So far, members are planning to market breakfast items and baked goods in the morning, then cookies, brownies, other sweets in the afternoon.
To do so, the group will meet at a few different apartments on October 21 to have a bake off, while other members contribute by making granola.
The times of the bake sale are not solidified because of conflicting student schedules and opinions on good marketing.
“Early morning would be good because so many students don’t eat breakfast,” said EWB Vice President, Cody LaBarber.
Another EWB member suggested October 22 as the target date for the bake sale, because it’s during Family Week and “parents spend money.”
EWB members are corresponding with local businesses, such as Chik-fil-A and Qdoba for possible donations, but plan to make the majority of the products themselves.
EWB members expressed concern for putting specific spending amounts on the upcoming Belize trips, so International Project Chair, Ben Marts continued his work with the long string of contacts to confirm the price structure.
“I’m emailing a third party that’s emailing the other (person) who’s talking to Randy,” Marts said. “I should know by next week.”
The general cost is $30 per day plus the $600-650 flight and an exit fee between $35-40, so approximately $1000 should cover most expenses. The trip requires a minimum of four people to attend and has an unclear maximum of 35 people.
Connections made during previous trips to Belize by Dr. Soerens and Ben Marts will help keep the costs relatively low, especially in comparison to class-connected trips.
If you are planning to join EWB on the Belize trip in January, officers suggested securing your passport as soon as possible, since there is an average of a month, month and a half for the process to be completed.
One EWB member brought new fundraising information to the table after actively searching contacts for advice in requesting donations from professional organizations and other businesses.
One person suggested (since you’re students) go to your discipline to search for money.
“For example, civil engineering students should go to civil engineering firms to ask for money because they are the future of the company. Basically you can ask them for funding by essentially saying, ‘We are your future. Do you want us educated?’”
More local service outreaches are being considered, such as helping other schools by engaging students with engineering projects, having more creek cleanups or possibly a weekly bike trail-cleanup.
Once EWB t-shirts are decided upon, they’ll be sold within the department to professors and students before other groups.
The October 6 meeting was brightened by surprise gifts from Jenny Doyle, flash drives, bracelets and water bottles with the EWB logo proudly printed on front.
A total of six or seven people can attend the Dallas conference (November 12-14) for free as a result of ASG RSO funding.
This week, officers worked on conference details, finding out which students want to attend the conference the most-who will go based on the initial funding--who will attend, despite a cost and settling on the overall cost of the trip.
The October 13 meeting will be preceded by a half hour session with information about the EWB Regional Conference, starting at 5:30 p.m.
(Please join the group “Engineers Without Borders-University of Arkansas” on Facebook for more updates and timely information.)
RSO Highlight: Tau Beta Pi
October 7, 2010
Tau Beta Pi is the Engineering Honor Society which invites initiates based on academic achievement, according to the Tau Beta Pi website.
The organization is designed to develop communication and leadership skills and provide scholarships, fellowships, networking and career opportunities to distinguished engineering students.
“My favorite thing about Tau Beta Pi is witnessing the power and prestige of our network,” said David Fryauf, current Tau Beta Pi president. “Many successful and influential engineers both in professional fields and in academia are members of Tau Beta Pi, and they always recognize the achievement and commitment it takes to become a member of this organization.”
TBP is the only society representing the entire engineering profession and was founded in 1885 by Edward H. Williams Jr. The University of Arkansas chapter began December 14, 1914.
Membership requires having earned a distinguished scholarship, academic rank in the top 1/8 of the junior engineering class or the top 1/5 of the senior engineering class and having exemplary characteristics of integrity, adaptability, breadth of interests and a record of unselfish service, according to Tau Beta Pi posters.
To become an official member and participate in the initiation ceremony on November 18, “initiates must participate in the required service events and one social event, make a plaque, collect student and faculty member signatures, and thoroughly learn the history and details of Tau Beta Pi,” Fryauf said.
Tau Beta Pi has three required service events each semester, which is followed later in the semester by social events and other, optional service events.
The first service event this semester is a coordinated creek cleanup, which involves choosing a local creek or river and picking up trash.
“We also pick up trash in our highway pickup along Exit 62 off of I-540,” Fryauf said. This year’s trash pickup is October 19.
The third, required service event is the annual fall Tau Beta Pi canned food drive, Let’s Can Hunger, which takes place October 25-29. All collected food will be donated to the local NWA foodbank, to help feed families in need in the region.
“There are two parts to our canned food drive: the neighborhood door-to-door food drive, and the inter-departmental food drive competition that the engineering departments compete in,” he said. “The recipient of our donated food changes from year to year, and this year we are partnering with Students of Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Campbell Soup Company.”
In addition to the service events, President Fryauf plans to add several social events to the TBP calendar, including a few pizza-and-ice cream dinners and a baseball game tailgate party.
The end of the spring semester brings the traditional Spring Banquet, which includes all active members, new initiates, and family members, to recognize the individual member accomplishments.
Tau Beta Pi Officers for the 2010-2011 school year are equally divided between juniors and seniors, but the majority of the officers have been members for at least one semester.
President Fryauf, Vice President Thomas Rembert and Treasurer L. Patrick Doyle are electrical engineering majors.
Recording Secretary Rachel Townsley and Program Chair Natassia Taylor are industrial engineering majors.
Corresponding Secretary Stanislav Boboyvch and Service Chair Andrew Tackett are Computer Engineering majors and Initiate Trainer Kristin Gangluff is a Mechanical Engineering major.
In addition to the typical officers of an organization (pres., v.p., secretary), Tau Beta Pi has an Initiate Trainer, to help new members get started on TBP activities. “The initiate trainer is responsible for all communication and assistance given to the students who have chosen to become members of Tau Beta Pi,” Fryauf said.
This is no simple task for an organization with a distinguished membership and a hefty list of requirements for initiation.
Not only is the Initiate Trainer responsibility to account for the member requirements (participation in service events, social events, member plaques, signatures), she also offers assistance to the initiates if they need help.
Tau Beta Pi Chief Adviser is Dr. Alan Mantooth of the Electrical Engineering department. He earned his electrical engineering bachelor and masters degrees from the University of Arkansas, then secured his PhD from the Georgia Institute of Technology . Mantooth provides strong leadership, with much experience in device modeling, published articles and multiple patents on software architecture and algorithms for modeling tools, in addition to titles of 1996 Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at Analogy, 1999 Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Electrical Engineering Faculty Award and the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineers Outstanding Faculty Award 1999-2000, Outstanding Teacher in Electrical Engineering in 2000-2001.
Even still, Mantooth is not alone in guiding Tau Beta Pi. There are an additional four official advisers of TBP. TBP members are chosen for distinguished qualities and at the University of Arkansas, the membership has seen a steep rise.
“For the past several years, our active student membership has been around 70,” Fryauf said. “We are always striving to increase this number, and we have an initiation class of 37 this semester, which is the highest we have seen in years."
Tau Beta Pi is the Engineering Honor Society which invites initiates based on academic achievement, according to the Tau Beta Pi website.
The organization is designed to develop communication and leadership skills and provide scholarships, fellowships, networking and career opportunities to distinguished engineering students.
“My favorite thing about Tau Beta Pi is witnessing the power and prestige of our network,” said David Fryauf, current Tau Beta Pi president. “Many successful and influential engineers both in professional fields and in academia are members of Tau Beta Pi, and they always recognize the achievement and commitment it takes to become a member of this organization.”
TBP is the only society representing the entire engineering profession and was founded in 1885 by Edward H. Williams Jr. The University of Arkansas chapter began December 14, 1914.
Membership requires having earned a distinguished scholarship, academic rank in the top 1/8 of the junior engineering class or the top 1/5 of the senior engineering class and having exemplary characteristics of integrity, adaptability, breadth of interests and a record of unselfish service, according to Tau Beta Pi posters.
To become an official member and participate in the initiation ceremony on November 18, “initiates must participate in the required service events and one social event, make a plaque, collect student and faculty member signatures, and thoroughly learn the history and details of Tau Beta Pi,” Fryauf said.
Tau Beta Pi has three required service events each semester, which is followed later in the semester by social events and other, optional service events.
The first service event this semester is a coordinated creek cleanup, which involves choosing a local creek or river and picking up trash.
“We also pick up trash in our highway pickup along Exit 62 off of I-540,” Fryauf said. This year’s trash pickup is October 19.
The third, required service event is the annual fall Tau Beta Pi canned food drive, Let’s Can Hunger, which takes place October 25-29. All collected food will be donated to the local NWA foodbank, to help feed families in need in the region.
“There are two parts to our canned food drive: the neighborhood door-to-door food drive, and the inter-departmental food drive competition that the engineering departments compete in,” he said. “The recipient of our donated food changes from year to year, and this year we are partnering with Students of Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Campbell Soup Company.”
In addition to the service events, President Fryauf plans to add several social events to the TBP calendar, including a few pizza-and-ice cream dinners and a baseball game tailgate party.
The end of the spring semester brings the traditional Spring Banquet, which includes all active members, new initiates, and family members, to recognize the individual member accomplishments.
Tau Beta Pi Officers for the 2010-2011 school year are equally divided between juniors and seniors, but the majority of the officers have been members for at least one semester.
President Fryauf, Vice President Thomas Rembert and Treasurer L. Patrick Doyle are electrical engineering majors.
Recording Secretary Rachel Townsley and Program Chair Natassia Taylor are industrial engineering majors.
Corresponding Secretary Stanislav Boboyvch and Service Chair Andrew Tackett are Computer Engineering majors and Initiate Trainer Kristin Gangluff is a Mechanical Engineering major.
In addition to the typical officers of an organization (pres., v.p., secretary), Tau Beta Pi has an Initiate Trainer, to help new members get started on TBP activities. “The initiate trainer is responsible for all communication and assistance given to the students who have chosen to become members of Tau Beta Pi,” Fryauf said.
This is no simple task for an organization with a distinguished membership and a hefty list of requirements for initiation.
Not only is the Initiate Trainer responsibility to account for the member requirements (participation in service events, social events, member plaques, signatures), she also offers assistance to the initiates if they need help.
Tau Beta Pi Chief Adviser is Dr. Alan Mantooth of the Electrical Engineering department. He earned his electrical engineering bachelor and masters degrees from the University of Arkansas, then secured his PhD from the Georgia Institute of Technology . Mantooth provides strong leadership, with much experience in device modeling, published articles and multiple patents on software architecture and algorithms for modeling tools, in addition to titles of 1996 Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at Analogy, 1999 Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Electrical Engineering Faculty Award and the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineers Outstanding Faculty Award 1999-2000, Outstanding Teacher in Electrical Engineering in 2000-2001.
Even still, Mantooth is not alone in guiding Tau Beta Pi. There are an additional four official advisers of TBP. TBP members are chosen for distinguished qualities and at the University of Arkansas, the membership has seen a steep rise.
“For the past several years, our active student membership has been around 70,” Fryauf said. “We are always striving to increase this number, and we have an initiation class of 37 this semester, which is the highest we have seen in years."
EWB Fundraising
October 6, 2010
EWB discussed a number of fundraising ideas in the past two meetings. This is the most basic level of the organization, since most activities are within a travelling distance and require funds.
Nerd Club, Engineer Date Night, various t-shirt designs for retail, pancake dinners, chili cookoffs and company donations are priority on the fundraising ideas list.
In the “Nerd Club” event, $10 tickets would be sold for an evening of pizza, soda and video-game-playing in a large public area, like a cafeteria or gym. Members discussed finding a location and put off the rest of the details for another meeting.
EWB would like to sell a few t-shirts of varying themes. Some members suggested ideas that would be safe marketing, such as placing a Razorback logo on event tees.
The Engineer Date Night will most likely have a T-shirt, but members also discussed t-shirts with lists, such as “Top 10 Reasons to be an Engineer” and “Top 10 Ways Engineers Save the World.”
Other members will focus on requesting donations from large companies, such as J.B. Hunt and Walmart.
“There are ways to donate to the RSO,” said Thomas Soerens, professor of civil engineering and supervisor of the student chapter.
He emphasized that the process of donation might vary depending on the source, amount or type of donation, but that the money would find its way to EWB if someone was willing to donate.
If you have any ideas for EWB fundraising, let us know by commenting on this note!
EWB discussed a number of fundraising ideas in the past two meetings. This is the most basic level of the organization, since most activities are within a travelling distance and require funds.
Nerd Club, Engineer Date Night, various t-shirt designs for retail, pancake dinners, chili cookoffs and company donations are priority on the fundraising ideas list.
In the “Nerd Club” event, $10 tickets would be sold for an evening of pizza, soda and video-game-playing in a large public area, like a cafeteria or gym. Members discussed finding a location and put off the rest of the details for another meeting.
EWB would like to sell a few t-shirts of varying themes. Some members suggested ideas that would be safe marketing, such as placing a Razorback logo on event tees.
The Engineer Date Night will most likely have a T-shirt, but members also discussed t-shirts with lists, such as “Top 10 Reasons to be an Engineer” and “Top 10 Ways Engineers Save the World.”
Other members will focus on requesting donations from large companies, such as J.B. Hunt and Walmart.
“There are ways to donate to the RSO,” said Thomas Soerens, professor of civil engineering and supervisor of the student chapter.
He emphasized that the process of donation might vary depending on the source, amount or type of donation, but that the money would find its way to EWB if someone was willing to donate.
If you have any ideas for EWB fundraising, let us know by commenting on this note!
Intro to the NWA Chapter of Engineers Without Borders
What is EWB?
Engineers Without Borders is an organization that puts engineering skills to use- to help disadvantaged communities. EWB focuses especially on sanitation and clean drinking water. There is something for everyone to do to help.
We have the power.
In EWB, there are professional chapters and student chapters. We’re the only student chapter in Arkansas and there is one professional chapter starting in Little Rock. There are many groups in Oklahoma, which is a great networking opportunity.
Who does EWB need?
We need everybody.
Our projects will include well building, so we need people that know how to use water and how to bring it up.
The projects and trips take money, so we also need people to generate fund-raising ideas.
“We can always use medical, nursing and biology students. But the majority of the work is fundraising and labor. We need people ready to do designs,” said Ben Mart, Engineers Without Borders project leader.
In this organization, “we lose so many people with the word ‘engineer,’ but we can use anybody.”
Trips-
November Regional EWB meeting, a weekend trip to SMU
The Northwest Arkansas chapter of EWB began in 2006 under the wings of a student, Julianna Jones. Now that she has graduated, she’s involved in another chapter within the same region and will attend this particular meeting.
“The regional meeting at SMU in Dallas is the easiest, most convenient trip we can make,” said Thomas Soerens, professor of civil engineering and general supervisor of the student chapter. “The past year and a half, the student chapter has been having meetings. We paid our $400 EWB student fee a year ago and sent a student team to the national EWB meeting this past spring.”
“We’ve had $500 donated to us, which should cover everyone for the regional meeting expense to SMU in November, depending on how many want to come,” Marts said.
The Belize Project—in two parts
1st Belize Trip in December or January
The initial trip to Belize is to secure a pump from the water tower to local bathrooms and do some plumbing. This will last five or six days during the winter break.
The local water tower was built by the European Union, but they left without securing a pump, even though all the electrical parts are hooked up.
“It’s real common for the government to put up the well, then the town doesn’t have money to keep it running,” Marts said. “School bathrooms and showers are ten feet from the water tower, but are unusable because there is no pump bringing the water from the tower to the restrooms.”
On this trip, “there is no lack of tasks for this expedition. It will be a matter of choosing tasks.”
2nd Belize Trip during Spring Break
EWB commitments are to the church of the town, who will pay for the electricity for the pump put in place and the school, (but) members are still unsure who owns the rights to the tower.
EWB members must contact the village elder for permission before digging and placing PVC pipe.
This trip will include about two days of looking at (assessing) the projects; three days of work and one day of relaxation.
The trip costs $1500 per person and will cover a plane ticket that costs between $600 and $700 (after a large-group discount); $150 for travel insurance and the rest goes largely to supplies because food and lodging are low-cost.
General:
“I went to the International Conference in Denver and a trip to Belize during a summer class project. It lit the fire, we have contacts…it’s a snowball-effect,” Marts said.
Marts experienced culture shock as he realized difference in dress code, valued items and lifestyles.
“The dress code in Belize is different. Girls wear skirts half way up the thigh, even when playing soccer,” he said. “People in Belize hang all important (objects) on their wall. Usually the most expensive things in the house are pots and pans.”
In Belize, a typical house will have a hammock in the corner, a bed along the wall, a clothesline across the room, pots and pans on the wall in one corner and a fireplace.
EWB officers mentioned more benefits of a trip to Belize, in addition to helping disadvantaged communities.
“Belize has the second largest reef. On these trips, during the break you can swim, snorkel…feed birds while on a boat and see the Mayan ruins,” Marts said. “It is $1500 per person, which includes transportation, food and shelter. This does not include air conditioning.”
Engineers Without Borders Officer Election
EWB Officer Election, September 29, 2010
The Northwest Arkansas chapter of Engineers Without Borders elected a new set of officers for the 2010-2011 school year and organized the first few, local projects.
Elections for President and Vice President had two candidates each, while the positions secretary, treasurer, international project chair, local project chair and website manager had only one candidate running for each officer position.
Even still, the candidates without opponents were not automatically instated to the organization. They were asked to share briefly why he or she is the best person for the job.
Nikki Lorenz, Engineers Without Borders Vice President-2010, ran for presidency and won.
“I’ve been here basically since we started EWB two years ago. So, I know what works and what doesn’t,” she said. “I know what we have to do to get funding from ASG, which sounds really simple but it’s not.”
Aside from having skill sets pertaining to EWB specifically, Lorenz said she would work hard for the organization on all levels.
“I think I’m reliable and easy to get in touch with. If you email me, I’ll be pretty quick to respond,” Lorenz said. “I plan to work really hard. No matter what (officer I am), I just enjoy working with this organization.”
International Project Chair, Ben Marts worked with Lorenz on several projects in EWB last year.
“Anytime something needs to be done, she’s been there,” Marts said. “I don’t know how she does it—I couldn’t. But anytime we have something going on, she’s right there, reminding me.”
Zach Beaver ran for Engineers Without Borders presidency against Nikki Lorenz.
“I’m not opposed to co-presidency,” Beaver said.
However, he did come to the meeting with a strong presidential campaign.
“I have a strong work ethic. I’ve tutored at an elementary school… In high school, I ran Students Taking Action Today,” he said. Beaver explained that Students Taking Action Today is an organization helping younger students understand the national elections.
“I also raised $10,000 for a band trip,” he said. “I just really want to make a difference.”
Beaver was not established as a co-president because the organization found him as a valuable resource for fundraising and named him the Fundraising Chair of EWB. With this title, Beaver will organize fundraising events based on all the ideas generated from the group and contribute valuable information from his past experiences.
Sebastian Mena ran for Vice President against Cody LaBarber.
“I’ve been working for four years in Miami, on my own business. I know Spanish and French. I’d make a good addition for Engineers Without Borders,” Mena said.
Opponent LaBarber had a broader focus to his ambitions as Vice President.
“I want to get involved and I think it’d be cool to help the president out,” LaBarber said.
EWB members agreed that both Mena and LaBarber have very different skill sets, both of which are vital to the organization. The organization voted Mena and LaBarber into a co-vice presidency, to which the candidates seemed glad to accept.
Jenny Doyle ran for EWB Secretary unopposed.
“I would like to be your secretary because I already have all of your emails added into my account and all the notes from EWB meetings from the past two years,” she said.
After a light-hearted chuckle from EWB members, she was voted in unanimously.
Gavin Smith ran for EWB Treasurer unopposed and was voted in. Smith said his experience working with a property manager outside of the states earned him the expertise necessary to be EWB Treasurer.
Ben Marts ran for International Project Chair, unopposed. He explained that he had a headstart on the international projects because of his involvement in a service project in Belize over the summer, along with his other EWB involvement.
Marts was voted into International Project Chairman.
Sarah Beth Dalby ran for Local Project Chair, also unopposed.
“I’m a junior engineering student,” Dalby said. “I’d like to get involved and I’m already going to the cleanup on Saturday, so I’m ready to get started.”
Dalby was voted in unanimously as Local Project Chair.
Halley Malle ran unopposed for NWA Engineers Without Borders Website Manager.
“I’m a senior engineering student and I built the website last year, so I’m planning to continue that this year,” she said. EWB members voted Malle to keep her position as Website Manager.
The next NWA EWB events are participation in the Lee Creek Cleanup at 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. on October 2, at Devil’s Den State Park, selecting a service project for Make a Difference Day on October 16 and the EWB Regional Conference in Dallas on November 15.
Students wishing to participate in these events should let officers know as soon as possible. They can reach President Nikki Lorenz at nlorenz@uark.edu.
The Northwest Arkansas chapter of Engineers Without Borders elected a new set of officers for the 2010-2011 school year and organized the first few, local projects.
Elections for President and Vice President had two candidates each, while the positions secretary, treasurer, international project chair, local project chair and website manager had only one candidate running for each officer position.
Even still, the candidates without opponents were not automatically instated to the organization. They were asked to share briefly why he or she is the best person for the job.
Nikki Lorenz, Engineers Without Borders Vice President-2010, ran for presidency and won.
“I’ve been here basically since we started EWB two years ago. So, I know what works and what doesn’t,” she said. “I know what we have to do to get funding from ASG, which sounds really simple but it’s not.”
Aside from having skill sets pertaining to EWB specifically, Lorenz said she would work hard for the organization on all levels.
“I think I’m reliable and easy to get in touch with. If you email me, I’ll be pretty quick to respond,” Lorenz said. “I plan to work really hard. No matter what (officer I am), I just enjoy working with this organization.”
International Project Chair, Ben Marts worked with Lorenz on several projects in EWB last year.
“Anytime something needs to be done, she’s been there,” Marts said. “I don’t know how she does it—I couldn’t. But anytime we have something going on, she’s right there, reminding me.”
Zach Beaver ran for Engineers Without Borders presidency against Nikki Lorenz.
“I’m not opposed to co-presidency,” Beaver said.
However, he did come to the meeting with a strong presidential campaign.
“I have a strong work ethic. I’ve tutored at an elementary school… In high school, I ran Students Taking Action Today,” he said. Beaver explained that Students Taking Action Today is an organization helping younger students understand the national elections.
“I also raised $10,000 for a band trip,” he said. “I just really want to make a difference.”
Beaver was not established as a co-president because the organization found him as a valuable resource for fundraising and named him the Fundraising Chair of EWB. With this title, Beaver will organize fundraising events based on all the ideas generated from the group and contribute valuable information from his past experiences.
Sebastian Mena ran for Vice President against Cody LaBarber.
“I’ve been working for four years in Miami, on my own business. I know Spanish and French. I’d make a good addition for Engineers Without Borders,” Mena said.
Opponent LaBarber had a broader focus to his ambitions as Vice President.
“I want to get involved and I think it’d be cool to help the president out,” LaBarber said.
EWB members agreed that both Mena and LaBarber have very different skill sets, both of which are vital to the organization. The organization voted Mena and LaBarber into a co-vice presidency, to which the candidates seemed glad to accept.
Jenny Doyle ran for EWB Secretary unopposed.
“I would like to be your secretary because I already have all of your emails added into my account and all the notes from EWB meetings from the past two years,” she said.
After a light-hearted chuckle from EWB members, she was voted in unanimously.
Gavin Smith ran for EWB Treasurer unopposed and was voted in. Smith said his experience working with a property manager outside of the states earned him the expertise necessary to be EWB Treasurer.
Ben Marts ran for International Project Chair, unopposed. He explained that he had a headstart on the international projects because of his involvement in a service project in Belize over the summer, along with his other EWB involvement.
Marts was voted into International Project Chairman.
Sarah Beth Dalby ran for Local Project Chair, also unopposed.
“I’m a junior engineering student,” Dalby said. “I’d like to get involved and I’m already going to the cleanup on Saturday, so I’m ready to get started.”
Dalby was voted in unanimously as Local Project Chair.
Halley Malle ran unopposed for NWA Engineers Without Borders Website Manager.
“I’m a senior engineering student and I built the website last year, so I’m planning to continue that this year,” she said. EWB members voted Malle to keep her position as Website Manager.
The next NWA EWB events are participation in the Lee Creek Cleanup at 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. on October 2, at Devil’s Den State Park, selecting a service project for Make a Difference Day on October 16 and the EWB Regional Conference in Dallas on November 15.
Students wishing to participate in these events should let officers know as soon as possible. They can reach President Nikki Lorenz at nlorenz@uark.edu.
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