The Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ College of Engineeringand Technology

THE CAMPAIGN FOR

Contentsletter from the chair 11

supporting faculty 14

supporting students 20

how you can help 36

Cover photo by Mark Dawson MA ’11

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in the potential of incoming students, who become leaders while collaborating

on design projects and winning competitions.

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in faculty, whose research holds potential to help society tackle tough issues

such as energy and the environment, biotechnology, and air and ground

transportation infrastructure.

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in alumni, whose accomplishments expand the boundaries of

knowledge and create jobs.

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in the generosity of those we are proud to call friends of the Fritz J. and

Dolores H. Russ College of Engineering and Technology.

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Dear Friends:The Russ College of Engineering and Technology has a long history as a great engineering and technology school. Its programs are rigorous, its faculty are disciplined and focused, and as a result, the college produces tremendously capable and talented graduates.

But all of this doesn’t happen by accident. It takes an awful lot of effort by a lot of people for a lot of years. I know, because I’ve witnessed this effort and the resulting evolution of the college in my years on the Board of Visitors.

With an excellent dean at the helm and the outstanding support of Fritz and Dolores Russ, this college is now on the cutting edge of greatness. To become a sustained center of excellence in engineering and technology education and research, however, we need you to get involved.

Your support of this campaign will take us over the finish line, ensuring that the Russ College of Engineering and Technology—and the value of your degree—rises to a higher level of prominence.

I ask you to join me now in helping us reach these worthy goals. Think about what you gained from the Russ College while you were enrolled—then give back in good measure. The future is in your hands.

Sincerely,

EmmEtt BoylE, mSISE ’70ChaIr, THE PRomisE LivEs: THE CamPaign FoR oHio UnivERsiTy’s RUss CoLLEgE oF EnginEERing anD TECHnoLogyPrinciPal and chairman, THE ELmwooD gRoUP

Those looking for a profession that can make a difference would be challenged to find one that has a greater influence than engineering or technology. Every day, in nearly every interaction—switching on a light, driving a car, using a computer, boarding a plane—each of us comes into contact with a product of modern engineering.

Today, engineering and technology hold promise to answer some of society’s most complex questions— those regarding sustainability, alternative energy, transportation infrastructure, and medical devices and drugs.

These are the very questions that lie at the core of Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology. The college’s students, faculty, and alumni are working on innovative solutions to these issues.

Today, the Russ College stands with OHIO in its quest to become one of the most important public universities in the nation. The college will help the University achieve that goal by capitalizing on its strengths: by engaging more students in scholarship, leadership, and international education, and by encouraging faculty excellence that balances classroom teaching and research. And the Russ College will do all this while reinforcing its commitment to addressing society’s educational, economic, and cultural challenges.

This is an ambitious vision, one that will require a substantial investment of time and resources. This is the reason for launching The Promise Lives: The Campaign for Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology. And this is why the college now looks to you—alumni, friends, and supporters—to stand with the Russ College in its quest for excellence.

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in innovative research and creative activity:

SUPPORTING FACULTY

Photo by Mark Dawson MA ’11

SUPPORTING FACULTY

Faculty are the front line of the Russ College experience. These teacher-scholars attract external grant funding that fuels their work, which in turn draws outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who want to work with them.

That’s why supporting faculty is a key component of The Promise Lives: The Campaign for Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology. Through this campaign, the college seeks to support faculty by creating endowed chairs and establishing two funds: a new faculty recruitment fund and a strategic research fund.

in innovative research and creative activity:

SUPPORTING FACULTY

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CHAIRS°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Competition for the best available teachers and researchers is acute because Ohio University vies with private industry and the public sector for potential faculty. Such competition is growing in fields such as engineering, business, the sciences, and health care.

Endowed chairs are among the most important resource the Russ College can have in assembling and maintaining a distinguished faculty. Such positions honor and recognize the men and women who hold them—and give the University a powerful tool to recruit and retain eminent faculty.

Endowed chairs and professorships are sought after by top faculty because such positions provide a stable, dependable source of income to advance research. The college has identified four areas for faculty chair investment, in strategic fields where it has already achieved national and international reputations:

• Energy transport mediation systems • Transportation systems logistics • Ground transportation infrastructure • National aerospace studies

The best teachers and researchers also inevitably attract the most capable students. Thus increasing the number of endowed chairs at Ohio University has the added benefit of raising the caliber of students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

SUPPORTING FACULTY

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“A lot of universities have research centers, but they focus just on research.”

FRANk vAN GRAASFrank van Graas, PhD ’88, Russ Professor of electrical engineering, is principal investigator for global positioning system research at OHIO’s Avionics Engineering Center. Possessing the only facility of its kind in the United States, the center is unique in more ways than one.

“A lot of universities have research centers, but they focus just on research,” says van Graas.

“Here, we focus on students—how research can involve them and what they can learn. It’s about giving our students the best experience possible.”

Photo by Mark Dawson MA ’11

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The new lab is one of only a handful in the country with an integrated eye-tracking system.

DEbORAH MCAvOYIn July 2010, OHIO opened a driving simulation lab, one of only a handful in the country with an integrated eye-tracking system. “ The combination will help us improve highway safety and save l ives,” says Deborah McAvoy, assistant professor of civil engineering.

“ The ultimate goal is to reduce crashes due to driver behavior and performance. This new lab holds promise to elevate our whole program.”Photo by Mark Dawson MA ’11

STRATEGIC RESEARCH FUNDS°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

More and more state and federal grants now require a one-to-one match— meaning the amount they grant to the institution must, in turn, be matched dollar for dollar by the school. As a state-supported institution, Ohio University has been challenged by this growing requirement. The Russ College, in fact, has already had to forego grant opportunities, which has restricted faculty research.

A strategic research fund would ensure that the college has a source of revenue to support promising faculty research, thus encouraging faculty inquiry and innovation. Such a fund would aid commercialization: turning research into viable products. Commercialization benefits both the southeastern Ohio region by creating jobs and the University by producing revenue and enhancing our reputation.

RECRUITING NEw FACULTY°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

While endowed chairs draw established researchers and scholars, the college also needs resources to concentrate at the front end to bring in talented new faculty. The most critical need for these rising stars is strategic research investment—a need exacerbated by the typically high cost of start-up packages in engineering.

A faculty recruitment fund would serve as a ready resource for underwriting such investments: equipment and supplies required by new faculty to continue their research, such as laboratory space modification or purchase of specialized materials or software; temporary salary support for critical researchers who might accompany the new faculty member; or travel funds for presenting research at national and international conferences. Such a recruitment fund is often the deciding factor when talented junior faculty choose one institution over another.

SUPPORTING FACULTY

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—20 — Photo by Mark Dawson MA ’11

in increasing access and opportunity:

SUPPORTING STUDENTS

Photo by Mark Dawson MA ’11

An investment in access and opportunity is an investment in the college’s most precious resource: its students.The Russ College depends on private support to attract the most talented young minds—who will be tomorrow’s engineering and technology leaders and the college’s future alumni—and to keep their dream of education within financial reach.

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

To be the best undergraduate college of engineering in its class, the Russ College needs the best students. Financial aid and scholarships brings the cost of a college education within reach for these students, who often are entertaining offers from several schools.

OHIO’s current financial aid packages are lower than its peer schools. The yield rate—the number of accepted students who choose to enroll—is 30 percent, versus the 40 percent standard among peer institutions. Enhanced financial aid would make the Russ College more competitive and attractive to incoming students.

Offering more financial aid would also help the college in its goal of becoming more diverse. Currently, its minority population ranks eighth out of 15 among our peers (comparable institutions in non-urban environments). Similarly, the population of women students holds steady at around 10 percent, which is lower than the national average. Targeted financial aid packages would improve the mix of students and experiences at the undergraduate level to the benefit of all.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS

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CHAD STROUD“Scholarship support made a huge difference in my life,” says Chad Stroud, a senior in mechanical engineering, who lost both his parents—his mother when he was a junior. A recipient of the Emmett Boyle Scholarship, the Charles Finkl Scholarship, and the Springer Scholarship, Stroud holds a 3.5 GPA. He’s completed two internships and spent summer 2011 in an intensive study-abroad program in Italy.

“I’ve learned so much at OHIO—more than I ever imagined.”

Photo by Mark Dawson MA ’11

qIAN zHANGQian Zhang, an electrical engineering doctoral student, spent summer 2009 at the National Institute of Standards and Technology as a researcher testing emergency communication frequencies. “I like that I’ve had both industry and academic experience,” says Zhang. She’s also a grateful recipient of the Russ College’s Stocker Fellowship, which offsets tuition and living expenses. “I’m able to concentrate on my studies and research. That support is why I came to OHIO.”

“I like that I’ve had both industry and academic experience.”

Photo by Brittany Bott BSVC ’09

GRADUATE STUDENT STIPENDS°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

If the Russ College wants to attract top-tier graduate students, then it needs to invest in their first year of study.

The majority of graduate students receive funding from externally sponsored grants and contracts in their subsequent years of study. But in order for bright new graduate students to gain exposure to faculty and research, they require substantial financial aid packages for their first year.

Directing these stipends to strategic research investment areas— energy transport mediation systems, transportation systems logistics, ground transportation infrastructure, and national aerospace studies—will enable the Russ College to simultaneously enhance graduate student quality and bolster its areas of excellence.

STUDENT ACTIvITIES FUND°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

While classroom learning serves as the foundation of students’ growth as intellectuals, extracurricular experiences mold today’s learners into tomorrow’s well-rounded leaders. Through this campaign, the Russ College seeks to create a student activities fund that would support these enriching experiences.

A student activities fund will enable students to attend conferences such as the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) regional and national flight competitions and the Institute of Navigation’s autonomous lawnmower or autonomous snow plow competitions, where Russ College students routinely win. On the front end, an activities fund will purchase supplies and materials that students need to enter these competitions.

These are the kinds of opportunities that inspire students, turning them from passive participants into active, engaged learners.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS

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Engineering is a growth field. WHEn THE naTional assoCiaTion oF CollEgEs anD EmployERs RankED THE mosT in-DEmanD DEgREEs in 2011, FivE EnginEERing anD TECHnology FiElDs appEaRED among iTs Top 10: ElECTRiCal, mECHaniCal, anD CompuTER EnginEERing, along WiTH maTERials managEmEnT anD inFoRmaTion sCiEnCE.

Russ College students boast the highest aCT scores on campus. The ACT, a national college admissions exam, is considered a good metric of student quality.

Patents, provisional patents, and patent

disclosures have increased significantly, from a single

patent application in 2002 to 18 in 2009.

ConsisTEnT sponsoRs oF Russ CollEgE FaCulTy REsEaRCH inCluDE THE naTional sCiEnCE FounDaTion; nasa; THE u.s. DEpaRTmEnTs oF DEFEnsE, EnERgy, HomElanD sECuRiTy, anD TRanspoRTaTion; Bp; ExxonmoBil; gEnERal ElECTRiC CoRpoRaTion; loCkHEED maRTin; anD noRTHRop gRumman.

over the past five years, sponsored

research has continued to increase—from $11.8

million to as much as $20.5 million

in 2009.

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in hydrogen fuel cells capable of powering automobiles 200 percent

more efficiently than gasoline.

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Gerardine Botte, Russ Professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and her team of graduate student researchers have developed a process for converting the ammonia found in wastewater into hydrogen. The implications of this discovery could be felt around the world, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and decreasing potentially harmful carbon emissions.

Photo by Mark Dawson MA ’11

in technology that drastically reduces research and development costs

and time to market for manufacturers.

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intermolecular Corporation, a company founded by david lazovsky, BsmE ’95, conducts materials processing research and development for the semiconductor and clean energy industries. Using a proprietary high-productivity combinatorial (HPC) technology, intermolecular can test up to 100 different semiconductor devices at one time.

Photo by Pat Tehan BFA ’79

in advancing robotic science to help humans with real-world problems.

—33 —Photo by Mark Dawson MA ’11

Samantha craig (shown), derek Fulk, and matt miltner, all electrical engineering students, captured first place—as juniors—in the institute of navigation’s first robotic snowplow competition. The team designed, built, and operated a fully autonomous snowplow using state-of-the-art navigation and control systems—technologies that could be developed and deployed in wheelchairs, rescue robots, and other assistive devices.

in you.

The history of the Russ College of Engineering and Technology is rich, woven with people who have made advances that have improved our lives and our world. it’s woven with creative students, visionary faculty, and talented alumni. and it’s woven throughout with an incredible tradition of charitable giving that strengthens the Russ College in countless ways.

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What’s your promise to ohio university?

The Russ College of Engineering and Technology has already invested in you—by educating you or your child, or by providing high-quality candidates for your organization. now it’s time for you, in turn, to invest in the Russ College.

You can influence the future by supporting Ohio University as Russ College students and faculty define the quality of learning, uncovering solutions to economic and social concerns. You can stand with OHIO as it focuses on teaching ethics and service, preparing young people to lead global change. Your support will ensure that OHIO drives the economic engine and improves the quality of life in southeastern Ohio and beyond.

You can help Ohio University lead the way in providing opportunities to students of merit as well as students in need. First-generation college students from Appalachia will stand with students with financial need from urban centers, and with other scholars from across the nation and around the world. You can support Ohio University’s faculty, the scholars whose commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service will define the institution for generations to come.

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share in the promise with ohio university by contacting the Fritz J. and Dolores H.

Russ College of Engineering and Technology:

800.592.FUND | giving@ohio.edu | www.ohio.edu

The Promise Lives Campaign • mcguffey Hall • athens, ohio 45701T: 740.593.2636 • F: 740.593.1432 • giving@ohio.edu