Academy for Engineering Education Leadership Induction and Reception
Please join us as we learn from, celebrate and induct three outstanding educators into the Academy for Engineering Education Leadership this Friday (Oct. 28) at 2 p.m. in the East Reading Room of the Van Pelt and Opie Library.
Janet Callahan, dean of the College of Engineering, will host the induction ceremony, and refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome — faculty, staff, students and the community.
After the induction, attendees are invited to stay for a learning/Q&A panel, “Leadership in the Engineering Academy,” starting at 3 p.m.
This year's academy inductees are:
- Debra Larson — Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, California State University-Chico
Creating pathways for all students to succeed is a primary focus for Larson. She is a highly effective problem solver and resilient leader who respects shared governance and the diversity of experiences. She is passionate about innovating and delivering high-quality and hands-on education that prepares each generation of graduates for success and well-being. Larson earned her B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan Tech, and her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University. - William Predebon — Professor Emeritus, Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM), Michigan Technological University
Encouraging faculty, staff and students to innovate, push boundaries, take risks and be entrepreneurial was a daily activity for Predebon during his 25 years of service as ME-EM department chair. Under his watch, the ME-EM department made tremendous strides in conducting interdisciplinary research, growing the doctoral program, expanding research funding and labs, and advancing the curriculum. Predebon earned his B.S. in Engineering Science at the University of Notre Dame, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from Iowa State University. - Sheryl Sorby — Professor of Engineering Education, University of Cincinnati
Serving as founding chair of the Department of Engineering Fundamentals at Michigan Tech, Sorby developed and delivered a highly supportive first-year program — a legacy effort that remains to this day. Her groundbreaking research and outreach, focused on helping people across age groups and cultures to develop their 3-D spatial skills, enables educators to develop the capacity of students worldwide. Sorby earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Tech.
The Academy for Engineering Education Leadership was established in 2018 by the College of Engineering. Two alumni, Sarah Rajala and Karl Smith, were inaugural inductees.