OU Engineering

David Sabatini, a long-time member of the American Oil Chemists' Society and the Surfactants and Detergents Division, has been introducing technology that can remove contaminants from water supplies in remote villages in southern Cambodia and Ethiopia.

Beginning in May, the University of Oklahoma will offer a field methods course designed to help prepare engineering students to work in developing regions. Coordinators hope to see other universities around the country create similar programs. BY SILAS ALLEN Published: January 18, 2012 NORMAN — About two years ago, members of the engineering faculty at the University of Oklahoma saw a problem. Students attending the university's engineering school were graduating and going to work in developing countries. But in many cases, these students didn't have sufficient training to work in those environments, said David Sabatini, a professor in OU's School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science. “You hear the stories about students who arrive in-country with the best of intentions, but are not fully prepared,” Sabatini said. Later this year, the university plans to roll out a program it hopes will help solve that problem. Beginning in May, the school will offer a...

Architecture and arts degrees topped the list of recent graduate jobless rates in a Georgetown University study released last week. Oklahoma higher education officials say many of those trends are reflected across the state. BY SILAS ALLEN, sallen@opubco.com Oklahoman January 10, 2012 Although a bachelor's degree is still a good hedge against unemployment, job prospects for recent college graduates vary drastically by major, according to a recent study. The study, “Hard Times, College Majors, Unemployment and Earnings: Not All College Degrees Are Created Equal,” was conducted by Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce. It was released Wednesday. The jobless rate for recent college graduates with bachelor's degrees stands at about 8.9 percent, the report states. Although the report characterizes that figure as “unacceptable,” recent graduates still fared better than job seekers with only a high school diploma, who saw an unemployment rate...

BY MICHAEL KIMBALL mkimball@opubco.com Oklahoman Published: December 24, 2011 Oklahoma City has hired David Todd, the owner of a local engineering firm and a former city employee, to be the new leader of its MAPS office and the point man for the MAPS 3 projects. Todd, who recently sold Todd Engineering Inc., so he can take the new position with the city, replaces Eric Wenger, who was promoted to be the city's Public Works Director in August. Todd said the opportunity to contribute to public works projects that are designed to end up as signature elements of a growing Oklahoma City was what attracted him to the position. “I was raised here in Oklahoma City. I really care about what's happening in Oklahoma City, and I want to be a part of it,” Todd said. “It's a really exciting time.” Todd graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He is on the board of directors of the South Oklahoma City Chamber, is a membe...

CNI announces new leadership 12/21/2011 9:18:43 AM By STAFF REPORTS TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation Industries, the manufacturing and distribution division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, announced the promotions of Brian Morris to vice president of engineering and Don Whittington to vice president of operations for the company’s aerospace and defense division. Morris, a Cherokee Nation citizen, graduated from Fort Gibson High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1995. Prior to graduation, he worked as an engineering intern at CNI providing manufacturing solutions and cost savings measures. Morris has held the titles of planning manager, operations manager and director of manufacturing while being responsible for the engineering, quality, testing, purchasing, inventory and production departments. Whittington, also a CN citizen, was born in Ventura, Calif. He is a Marine Corps veteran of 10 years and has more tha...

J. Lynn Helms, left, head of the Federal Aviation Administration, confers with Transportation Secretary Drew Lewis in June 1981 during the dispute between the FAA and the air traffic controllers union. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associate Press / January 17, 1981) By Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times December 20, 2011 J. Lynn Helms, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration who carried out President Reagan's order to fire more than 11,000 striking air traffic controllers and oversaw efforts to keep airlines flying during the crisis, has died. He was 86. He died Dec. 11 of cardiopulmonary failure at his home in Westport, Conn., a family spokesman said. Helms had a reputation as a decisive, technically brilliant aviation industry executive who led a number of companies out of financial straits, including Piper Aircraft, which he ran for six years. A former test pilot, he was the first FAA chief in a decade capable of designing an airplane that could fly. Several months into ...

SME Education Foundation selects Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City, Okla., as one of six in nation for community-based approach to manufacturing education. . DEARBORN, Mich., OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., November 22, 2011 — The SME Education Foundation is taking a community-based approach to manufacturing education and creating strong partnerships between exemplary schools, businesses and organizations. Francis Tuttle Technology Center (FTTC), Oklahoma City, Okla., is an acknowledged leader for providing exceptional career and technology education to high school students and adults, as well as customized training for business and industry. It is one of six exemplary schools in the nation selected for the first phase of a new initiative, PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education) launched in the fall of 2011. Other PRIME exemplary schools include: Kettering Fairmont High School, Dayton, Ohio; Walker Career Center, Indianapolis, Ind.; Summit Technology Academy, L...