University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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C ' . ' The Society of Women Engineers was a non-profit organization that ben- efited women in the engineering field by helping them explore their area of concentration by letting women be- come involved in an organization on campus that fit their interests as well and their engineering needs. With the main focus of stimulating women to achieve potential in careers as engi- neers and leaders, the Society of Women Engineers created such means for students while demonstrating di- versity. Because of their leadership abilities and displays of professional- ism, the Society of Women Engineers won the 1 999 award for the best func- tioning student section of the national organization, a prestigious award given to one of many competitive universi- ties. The Society of Women Engineers recruited their members at the annual Festifall event held in the Diag at the beginning of each school year. Al- though there was a small annual fee required for enrollment into the group, members strongly encouraged women to join the group, saying there was a place for every engineering woman. Engineering student and the Society ' s president Amanda Matejak stated, Students interested in engineering careers can ' t go wrong joining this group. Members definitely get twice as much from their membership than they put in to it. We are a productive group. Within the group many positions were established to ensure the group J ome of the Society of Women Engineers members gather at their National Convention. The convention enabled the women to bettet understand how to run their organization. photo courtesy of Roadrunner Photo Studios remained consistent. W ith approxi- mately 30 officers the executive board, the industry relations committee, the outreach committee, the pre-interview committee, and the public relations committee organized activities exter- nally and internally as well as dealt with the logistics of the organization. The group also participated in events outside of the engineering world. One event that group helped out in the community was helping out with project outreach. Members of the Society of Women Engineers went around to elementary schools in the area and visited and tutored younger children. Members of the Society also planned activities with other organizations on campus. One event that the group helped to plan was the career fair that took place in the early fall. The Soci- ety of Women Engineers worked closely with Tau Beta Pi, an engineer- ing honor society, to make sure the career fair ran for the students inter- ested in pursuing a career in engineer- ing. Events like the career fair were very beneficial for networking with companies for jobs and internships to gain more experience in the field. Besides the professional side of the group, there were obstacles the group had to overcome. Matejak com- mented, I joined the group with the stereotype that women engineers com- plained about the male-dominated field. Instead the group rose above that and ran a very productive non- profit business. Front Row: Miriam Lee-Palis, Megan Kern, Delia Dumitrescu, Amy Denault, Nancy Short Row 2: Katherine Gilhool, Jennifer Chen, Carly Sarna, Cheryl Cheng, Alicia Vogel, Rebecca Kramer, SuryatiWidjaja Row 3 :Jennifer Brakel, Michelle Wu, Diana Bitleris, Kristina Wheaton, Kelly Alstead, Tiffany Viant Row 4: Melissa Wu, C.arolinc Dugopolski, Aaron Me Clurg, Amanda Matejak, James Tallman, Julie Glaza, Julie Messacar pholo In ili.lihv I ir.. ' t H Front Row: Laura Khoury, Heather Peterson, Heather Burnard, Deanna Sumption, Jessica Kelley Row 2: Junlachak Siriprakorn, Cynthia Lacsamana, Erica Parish, Erica Mauter, Erica Guice, Lanny Mihardja Row 3: Chris Seadeek, Prasad Ambekar, Matt Fischer, Shaila Bhatt, Tim Neiman, Julie Wellnitz, Sarah Clauw Row 4: Mike Wagner, Kate August, Jaime Jones, Lisa Viculus, Vishal Gupta photo courtesy of Alpha Chi Sigma D CD D Front Row: Samuel Song, Jason Bronkema, Michel Wu, Julie Champion, Cheryl Cheng, Gavin Sy, Shai non Seurynck. CeliaChen. KatherineGilhool RowC Soo Kim, Jason Wu, Noa Holoshitz, Rebecca Aroi Jason Vargo,MiChang,Jennifer Shin, KimberlySchult Caroline Dugopolski, Patrick Armstrong, Patrick Lt Row 3: Lindsay Matola, Stephen Wesorick, Nicol: Ortiz, Daniel Viaches, Shawn Hunter, Iphigen Karagiannis, Theresa Arciero, James Donaldson, Ada) Johnson, Patrick Lee Row 4: Robert Dory, Jan Waldecher, Edvins Daiga, Kristina Wheaton, Nicho Evans, Alison Nemier, Andrew Rusiniak, John Leun Michelle Osinski, Phillip Savage, Matthew Robertsc photo by Jennifer Johnson

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fyMtd, The Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) once again served University students by facilitating discussion between the student body and the Board of Regents on issues like campus policy, the fair treatment of various student groups, funding for those groups, and others which surfaced throughout the year. MSA President Bram Elias, an English and political science senior, I described the Assembly as the official voice of the students. He added, We speak for students and make sure that the money in our budget gets directed towards their best interests. Four elected executive officers headed MSA. Elias described the president ' s duties in the Assembly. I ' m the primary representative of the student body, he said. I hold meetings with the administration or local government and stay in touch with big constituencies on campus. About his position, Vice President Andy Coulouris, a senior political science major, stated, I coordinate the assembly and run the Steering Committee that sets the agenda for the week. At general meetings, I usually get a chance to speak on issues for the President. Public Policy graduate student Suzanne Owen served as the treasurer, and Josh Trapani, a graduate student in paleontology, was the student general counsel. Negotiating between the student body and the Board of Regents was not a small task, and the officers decided to take it on for different reasons. I was looking to do something that would touch on the different aspects of the University, Owen explained. Student government is a really good way to get involved. Coulouris added, There is a certain gratification in being involved with people who are going to change the world. And Elias mentioned, I was interested in working with the Student Regents, and in issues like lobbying to keep tuition lower. Each of the officers had something special to bring to MSA, and goals they wanted to accomplish. Our big goal was trying to make sure that MSA focused on accomplishing goals and achieving tangible benefits for students, Elias said. Coulouris appended, I wanted to address civic engagement issues, and to increase dialogue on campus for critical issues, thereby giving students a chance to get involved in the political process. MSA proved it was a well-oiled machine, as the organization received and transmitted student needs to the administration and the Board of Regents. The Assembly, directed by its executives and put into action by its constituents, made student life easier to handle. Owen concluded, We try to function well from the inside so that when students work with us, everything goes smoothly. musts tip sj epresentatives of the Michigan Student Assembly listen attentively iDjijtio: to a speaker. The assembly often served as a public forum for issues - I:,. surrounding the student experience. photo by Mike Cutri oval Biscd ' .. Front Row: Lanie Anderson, Jennifer Zorko, Erin Carey, Amit Pandya, Marisa Linn, Erin Dotson, Jennifer Seamon, Riley Hoffman, Katherine Williams, Shari Katz, Mona Gupta, Jocelyn LaFace, Shaila Guthikonda Row 2: Jessica Curtin, Erika Dowdell, Scott Smith, Mehul Madia, Joseph Bernstein, Mark Sherer, Josh Trapani, Suzanne Owen, Rachel Arfa, Jennifer Vanroeyen, Ellen Friedman, Michael Masters, Jackie Simpson, Kymberli Stewart, Joe Tobias Row 3: Abraham Rafi, Jasmine Abdel-Khalik, Jacqueline Woods, Matthew Nolan, Jennifer Cowley, Kieu-Anh King, Bram Elias, Andrew Coulouris, Robert Roe, Ross Kirschner, Sarah Pray, Ryan Gregg, Ryan Whiteherse, Siafa Hage, Joel Kirzner photo by Mike Ciuti Front Row: David Kaye, Kevin White, Jenifer Forney, Jason Tang, Thomas Slazinski Row 2: Diane Christopherson, Michael Swingler, Wayne Parks, Rebecca Hall, Matt Undy, Luke Klipp, Brett Krogh Row 3: Nicholas Falzone, Leslie Hill, James Colbert, Thomas Worth, Nathan Duckworth photo by Audra Rowley o CQ ' Q c Q CD CD 3 cr c Q Q CO O n CO c T5 O O i O o c O Organizations 331

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SA junior Josh Visser, engineering Junior Ray Zondervan, LSA senior Josh Hansen, and engineering junior Joel Triemstra, members of Phi Alpha Kappa, spend time studying at the house. Close bonds formed between many of the members throughout the year. photo courtesy of Phi Alpha Kappa embers of the Society of Women Engi- neers enjoy the beautiful weather in Phoenix, Arizona. The group was lucky enough to have their National Convention held in the pictur- esque area. photo courtesy of Society of Women Engineers id k . ' ' Front Row: Lauren Fish, Marisha Sunday, Kelly Vaughn, Jennifer Zorko, Sarah Shotwell, Molly Murphy, Cynthia Park Row 2: Owen Shoger, Jamie Hiner, Afshin Beyzaee, Matthew Huang, Stephanie Sohl, Lisa Wright, Samantha Kanarek Row 3: Ryan Norfolk, Leon Salkin, Eric Hyun, J.R. Guzman, Matthew Nolan, Michael Roush, lames Stachowiak photo by Jennifer Johnson (D Co Front Row: Ray Zondervan, David Ordorica, Josh Visser, John Westra, Tim Wolma, Dan Racey Row 2: Michael DeLorean, Josh Miller, Josh Hansen, Joel Triemstra, Mark Bouma, David Umulus Row 3: Jason Stiles, Brian Steensma, Chris DeVries, Mark VanDeWege, Nick DeHaan, Eugene Akkerman photo courtesy of Phi Alpha Kappa 7 Q D D Q In 1929, Phi Alpha Kappa was established at the University as a graduate and professional Chris- tian fraternity, but over the years, it expanded to include undergraduates as well. This year, the fraternity, which consisted of 1 8 members who lived in the Phi Alpha Kappa house on Ann Street, focused its attention on a broad scope of interests in addition to its religious commitment. Mem- bers participated in IM sports, social events, camp- ing retreats, and community service. President John Westra, a senior economics major, noted, Every year our service committee chooses a few philanthropies to serve. In the past we have helped at soup kitchens, and this year we hope to volunteer at Mott Children ' s Hospital. Phi Alpha Kappa was nicknamed the Dutch House because historically, members had been transfer students from Calvin College in western Michi- gan, and though the fraternity had expanded its regional representation, the nickname remained. Organizations + 333