On Friday, December 16, 350 College of Technology students earned their undergraduate and graduate degrees. During the College of Technology's annual Fall 2011 graduation reception (December 15), Dean William E. Fitzgibbon warmly welcomed students, their families and friends. The outstanding accomplishments of several students were awarded during the reception.
The Dean's Medal of Academic Excellence was designed to honor excellence in academic achievement in the College of Technology, using the University's standards for honors recognition. The medal is awarded to the highest ranking student, graduating with a grade point average of 3.75 or above with the final 66 hours in residence at the University of Houston. The medal is accompanied by a $1,000 award. Dean Fitzgibbon presented the Medal to Masae Patrick. Clearly focused and driven to achieve outstanding academic success, Masae is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Computer Information Systems in the Department of Information and Logistics Technology. Her cumulative GPA is 3.921. She is a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, which invites only the top ten percent of the class in the university. Prior to her education at the University of Houston, Masae acquired several years of professional experience at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, managing computer aided design systems. She is also the College's Honorary Banner Bearer.
Also honoring overall achievement in the college, the Outstanding Student Award has been established to provide an opportunity to honor the attributes of a technology graduate. Considerations include notable academic achievement, a history of research activity (such as a special problems course or a grant-funded research project) and an awareness of social and cultural concerns made evident by involvement in organized community service programs or activities. In addition to a tabletop award, the student receives $1,000. Dean Fitzgibbon presented the Outstanding Undergraduate Award to Trang Nguyen who received her degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. Noted as an outstanding student on the dean's list for several semesters, she earned the College of Technology General Scholarship and the International Education Fee Scholarship in 2011. Trang has been active in campus affairs as a member of the International Graphics Education Association (IGEA), the Supply Chain Industry Organization (SIDO), and the American Society for Quality (ASQ). She has served for more than a year as a Vietnamese teacher at the Viet Traditional School. Trang has been dedicated to developing an organization for the students in the organizational leadership program.
Dr. Heidar Malki presented the Engineering Technology Department Outstanding Undergraduate/Graduate Student Award, which has been established thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor to provide an opportunity to award the attributes of an outstanding student in the Engineering Technology Department. Considerations include notable academic achievement, a history of research activity (such as a special problems course or a grant-funded research project), and an awareness of social and cultural concerns made evident by involvement in organized community service programs or activities.
Leonardo Chica received the award and $500.00. A member of the Honors College, Leonardo demonstrated a unique ability to independently tackle his oil and gas industry research interests and senior honors thesis - in one semester - and publish his work in the two most preeminent offshore conferences, Ocean Offshore and Arctic Engineering (OMAE) and the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE). His senior design project focused on the design and build of an immobilized cell bioreactor for tissue engineering-a device that shows promise as a true technology innovation. Known as a top student in several classes, Leonardo's high GPA earned numerous dean's list recognitions and several scholarships. Leonardo's community service has included teaching basic Math, English, and Spanish to children, and volunteering in the South Texas First Lego League.
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Fred Lewallen, presented academic awards to the undergraduate College Banner Bearers; and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Dr. Ray Cline presented the award on behalf of the graduate studies department. Banner Bearer Awards are presented each semester to the highest achieving students from each department, as well as to an overall college winner. Banner Bearers lead graduating students into UH Commencement ceremonies and are recognized at the graduation reception at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters. The College of Technology's Fall 2011 Banner Bearers are:
- Masae Patrick, B.S. Computer Information Systems (Honorary Banner Bearer)
- Michael Castellvi, Department of Engineering Technology, B.S. Electrical Power Engineering Technology
- Delena Dally, Department of Human Development and Consumer Science, B.S. Retailing and Consumer Science
- Stephany Marcucci, Department of Information and Logistics Technology, B.S. Supply Chain and Logistics Technology
- Swati Mohite, Graduate Studies Department, M.S. Information Security
The entire College community is extremely proud of the accomplishments of its graduates and sincerely wishes the great success in their future endeavors. Photos of the graduation reception are available on the College's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/uhcot