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

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1 1 1 school of engineering celebrates its 150th On January 20,1854, the first class session at the University of Michigan ' s School of Engineering was held. 150 years later, the University ' s Engineering school was recognized as one of the best in the nation. The University of Michigan was the first public university in the nation to award degrees in engineering, and although many things within the program changed over the years, the school remained a vital and prestigious part of the University. Several different events were scheduled for the anniversary celebration. An exhibition in the Media Union Gallery entitled Celebrating 1 50 Years of Engineering Excellence was on display from October 6-24. The display included artifacts, computer projections, oral histories from living legends, and a movie from the College ' s centennial. The opening reception took place October 3 rd in the Media Union Gallery. A Sesquicentennial Lecture Series was also a part of the celebrations, as well as Alumni Weekend held October 16-18 where recent and past graduates came together to celebrate their College ' s accomplishments. Alexander Winchell, a professor of physics and civil engineering, taught the first engineering course at the University while he was also producing a survey for a regional railroad for a mere five dollars a day. He inadvertently began a debate about mixing professorship at the University with outside business, a controversial subject that the Regents resolved, stating that professors were permitted to work outside of the University as long as it did not affect any services to it. This idea of public service and private-sector support grew with the school of engineering and became a very important tradition. Engineers consulted with and had an effect on the state ' s Highway Bridge Department, the Belle Isle and River Rouge Bridge designs, and various radio stations. Dean Ivan Crawford played an important part in World War II when he was consulted in creating courses of study for officers of the Navy. A vast number of alumni made great contributions to the world, such as Ed White, the first American to walk in space, Claude Shannon, often called the father of information theory, and Larry Page, who co-founded the internet search engine Google. Lauren Mardirosian, senior mechanical engineering student and display coordinator, and Lawrence M. Seiford, professor and chair of Industrial and Operations Engineering, chat at the Media Union display. The display, which ran from October 6 to October 24, helped to celebrate the past and support the future. J. Neff photo Junior Computer Engineering student Donny Shertok and graduate student Neeraj Jain read the display on Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The college has expanded since its foundation to encompass eleven programs of study. J. Neff photo Engineering Anniversary 77

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One of the banners hung for the Engineering anniversary sways outside of the Luree Building on North Campus. The banners were displayed throughout North Campus, including a large banner on the Luree Tower, North Campus ' s bell tower. . Neff photo GArvfli tow; ilk Urn imdmtent to Curt [fa oft co-timid 76 Academics

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Pedram Mohseni, a graduate student in Electiral Engineering from Iran, and Cody Pope, an anthropology and French student, join other French speaking students at a Comite Francophone meeting. The group met every Monday at the Espresso Royale Cafe and practiced conversation skills. Tedjasukmana photo f L vtjnottli stud jrogivi inmailw Otkrpf stattiMts. weren ' t im Ai nUnioiiic tkellimn iitait w ilofrour bbn Cboi ' sqii Ftirtiwm) 78 Academic Graduate EEB students Xiaoxia Wang, from China, and Andrej Podlaha.from the Czech Republic, share a laugh in the lab.The Uni- versity attracted both graduate and undergraduate students, due to its leading research institutes and academic reputation. S. Thomas photo The International Center sign directs students to its entrance, located in West Quad. The Center was a valuable resource both for international students and University students planning on studying abroad. S. Thomas phviv