The Fourth†Annual Engineering Roundtable at Northeast Texas Community College was held on Friday, February 17, 2017 in the Whatley Center Foyer on campus.† Since 2014, this event has become an annual opportunity for both students who are currently enrolled in the NTCC engineering program and students from area high schools who are interested in the field of engineering. AEP/SWEPCO generously sponsored part of this year?s roundtable with a $1,000 donation.† In addition, Luminant made a charitable donation of $500 to the funding of the event.
Stan Minter, a mechanical engineer who is the Maintenance Superintendent for AEP/SWEPCO Welch Power Plant, gave the keynote address.† He spoke about the rigorous requirements to earn a B.S. in engineering.† In addition, he challenged the students to develop an appropriate lifestyle that is necessary for success in the advanced science, engineering, and mathematics courses.
The following recipients for the 2017 Wilhite scholarships were announced:† Isidora Hernandez, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, and Chesney Davis, a freshman mechanical engineering major.† Roger Farr, an adjunct engineering faculty member and president of Principled Living, LLC, led the opening session ?Let?s Get Started?.† This introductory warm-up activity engaged students to identify their reaction to a variety of situational leadership scenarios.
Following lunch, Dr. Bouwens, NTCC Professor of Physics, introduced Thorondor, the new supercomputer of the NTCC Physics and Engineering Department.† He explained the details of the design and the extraordinary capabilities of the supercomputer that will be used to 1) calculate high precision numerical analyses 2) simulate many-body systems via Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics, 3) generate 3D electron orbital and molecule models, and 4) conduct research.
The following guest engineers led small group discussions by discussing their college experience and careers as professional engineers:
- Chance Ballard, Industrial Engineer, Lowe?s Distribution in Mt. Vernon, TX
- Tim Berry, Civil Engineer, Texas Department of Transportation
- Les Brown, P.E, Principal & Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Baird-Hampton-Brown
- Glen Calvert, P.E., General Manager, Priefert?s Complex Designs, Priefert?s Manufacturing
- Kenneth Calvert, P.E., Petroleum Engineer, Retired
- Kevin Chumbley, P.E., Project Manager of Public Works for the City of Longview
- Tod Corbin, P.E., Electric Power Engineer, Manager of Engineering and Operations for Bowie-Cass Electric Cooperative, Inc.
- Dr. Brent Donham, Electrical Engineer, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Roger Farr, M.S. ChE, Chemical Engineer, NTCC Adjunct Faculty Member Engineering, President of Principled Living, LLC.
- Andrea Graham, Ph.D., Interim Head and Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering and Technology Management at Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Kenneth L. Irizarry, P.E., M.S., REM, Industrial Engineer, Professor of Engineering, Northeast Texas Community College
- John R. Jones, Electrical Engineer, Customer Service Engineer for AEP/SWEPCO
- Roger Ledbetter, P.E., Area Civil Engineer (Retired), Texas Dept. of Transportation
- Jason Martin, Engineering Technician Senior for AEP/SWEPCO
- Feleshia McCutchin, Industrial Engineer, Lowe?s Distribution Center in Mt. Vernon, TX
- Stan Minter, Mechanical Engineer, Maintenance Superintendent at AEP/SWEPCO Welsh Power Plant in Pittsburg, TX
- Dr. Mena Souliman, Civil Engineer, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Tyler
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Click for photos from the Engineering Roundtable!
Seventy-five of the 105 attendees were students of the NTCC engineering program and the following high schools:† Mt. Pleasant High School, Winnsboro High School, Pittsburg High School, Chapel Hill High School, Paul Pewitt High School, Daingerfield High School, and Hughes Springs High School.† A master schedule was used to pair students with the most appropriate engineer according to areas of interest for each session to maximize outcomes.
Cypress Wright, a junior at Hughes Springs High School, said, ?I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak personally with so many engineers.† They offered helpful advice and a new perspective that will be very valuable as I pursue a career in the field.?
Christian Mariscal, a student at Pittsburg High School, added,†?At the roundtable, I was reminded about the importance of studying and trying hard in my math and my science classes, and in general all of my classes.
Corey Fyfe, a sophomore physics major at NTCC, said, ?I had a great time at the engineering roundtable listening to the very interesting speeches. I learned so much from all of the engineers who seem to know the exact advice that we needed to hear.?
Marcos Hernandez, a sophomore civil engineering major, commented, ?I learned about the possibility of becoming a pavement engineer?pretty cool!?
For more information about the NTCC Engineering Program of Study, contact Dr. Mark Bouwens (mbouwens@ntcc.edu), Professor of Physics, Kenneth Irizarry, P.E., (kirizarry@ntcc.edu), Professor of Engineering, or Dr. Paula Wilhite (pwilhite@ntcc.edu), Division Chair of Mathematics, Physics, & Engineering.
