The John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values hosted an awards ceremony on Friday, April 20, 2012 for students from the Reilly Arts & Letters/Engineering Five-Year Dual-Degree Program. Guests included the Reilly Center’s benefactor Mr. Jack Reilly, as well as John Staud (Senior Director, Pastoral Formation and Administration, ND Alliance For Catholic Education (ACE) Program) and Susan Valdiserri (pictured below, Executive Coach, Leadership & Learning Consultant,
Facilitator at IBM Corporation). All three guests are graduates of the dual-degree program.
At the ceremony, Professor Don Howard, Director of the Reilly Center, recognized the Reilly Scholar award winners for both 2012 and 2013. Students are named Reilly Scholars in recognition of their exemplification of the highest ideals of the dual-degree program. Scholars are honored with a $1,000 award, a certificate for framing, recognition at the Arts & Letters Honors Convocation during Commencement Weekend, and a notice in the Commencement Program.
The 2012 Reilly Scholars are:
John J. Gallagher (Mechanical Engineering and Philosophy)
Catherine A. Mikkelsen (Mechanical Engineering and Psychology)
Odaro A. Omusi (Electrical Engineering and Economics)
John Plunkett (Electrical Engineering and Design)
The 2013 Reilly Scholars, who will receive their awards and commencement recognition when they graduate next academic year are:
Patrick Conry (Civil Engineer and Greek & Roman Studies)
Antwane Mason (Computer Science and Japanese)
Breanna Stachowski (Mechanical Engineering and Design)
Julie Wamser (Computer Science and French)
The Reilly Center also recognized the winners of this year’s Dual-Degree Summer Research awards. The winners are:
Patrick Conry (Civil Engineering & Greek and Roman Civilization)
Advisor: David Hernandez (Department of Classics)
Patrick will join the Butrint Archaeological Research Project to aid in an archeological excavation in the Roman forum of the ancient city of Butrint. Patrick will assist with soil excavation, recording of stratigraphy, and creation of scaled drawings in order to aid in the study of the forum's East Building.
James De Oreo (Aerospace Engineering & Philosophy)
Advisor: Alfred Freddoso (Department of Philosophy)
James will assist Professor Freddoso in his work of translating the Summa Theologiae by St. Thomas Aquinas. Studies will focus on what is known about God by reason and what requires faith. Research will culminate in a paper on God, focusing on the dual faith and reason nature of the subject.
Bryan Dimas (Electrical Engineering & Film, Television, and Theatre)
Advisor: Panos Antsaklis (Department of Electrical Engineering)
Bryan will design and deploy a sensor/actuator network related to the application of haptic devices in force feedback remote controls. Theoretical research topics of control, computing, and communication networks will also be explored.
Michael (Mitch) Kochanski (Mechanical Engineering & Program of Liberal Studies)
Advisors: Susan Krumdieck, Timothy Ovaert (Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering)
Michael will work under the direction of Professor Susan Krumdieck at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Studying Chemical Vapor Disposition, Michael will deliver a design for manufacture of the laboratory's research scale PP-MOCVD rig, including costings and parts specifications.
James McClay (Mechanical Engineering & Industrial Design)
Advisor: Jay Brockman (Associate Dean of Engineering)
James will research the role of ePortfolios in engineering education, gauging which practices of application are most successful for student engagement. Findings are pertinent to the University of Notre Dame's ePortfolio usage next year.
Congratulations to all of our dual degree award winners!
Click here to learn more about the Reilly Center’s Arts & Letters/Engineering Five-Year Dual-Degree Program.