CONNECTION A review of news and information about Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering January 2002

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Alumni Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 EGEE-Education. . . . . . . . . . . 4 EGEE@Your.Service . . . . . . . 6 Faculty Attributes. . . . . . . . . . . 8 Professional Society News . . .10 Research in Motion. . . . . . . . .12 Student Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 2002 Calendar of Events . . . .16

Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering • Mining Engineering • Mineral Processing • Fuel Science • Environmental Systems Engineering • Geo-Environmental Engineering • Industrial Health & Safety

EGEEMISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Energy andGeo-Environmental Engineering(EGEE) aspires to ensure thatsociety is provided with anaffordable supply of energy andminerals, concomitant withprotecting the environment, andthe health and safety of theworkforce and the publicthrough education, research,and service. The Departmentstrives to inspire students tobecome technically proficient,adaptable learners with excellentskills in problem solving, teambuilding, and communication.

EGEE GOALSPromote active learning prac-tices and discovery in the dis-ciplines in E G E E.

Inspire and motivate students tobecome lifelong learners withcommitment to the disciplines inE G E E.

Create a caring community thatinspires faculty, staff, students,and alumni.

Making Life Better . . . for society by educating energy,mineral, environmental and health and safety professionals!

Dr. Semih EserAssociate Head and

Associate Professor, Energy andGeo-Environmental Engineering

EGEE APPOINTS NEW ASSOCIATE HEAD

CONNECTION is a publication of theDepartment of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering in theCollege of Earth and Mineral Sciencesat Penn State.

Submissions for future issues arewelcome and can be sent to:

EGEE CONNECTION110 Hosler BuildingPenn State UniversityUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000

or by e-mail to:EGEE@ems.psu.edu

Editorial Director: Alan W. Scaroni, aws1@psu.edu

Writer/Editor: Kelly O. Henry, koh1@psu.edu

U.Ed. EMS 02-19

This publication is available inalternative media on request. PennState is committed to affirmativeaction, equal opportunity, and thediversity of its workforce.

http://www.ems.psu.edu/egee/

FROM THE DESK OFSEMIH ESER

My Penn State educationstarted in 1981 when I movedinto a graduate student officelocated at the original Combus-tion Laboratory where a sectionof Nittany Apartments standstoday. Remarkable changeshave taken place since then,fitting well with the turning ofthe Millennium. Quantum leapsin information technologies andglobalization have transformedmany business and industrialpractices, and created newchallenges and opportunities forthe academe.

Global economy challengesthe workforce to function moreefficiently in an increasinglycompetitive environment. TheInternet, on the other hand, haslead to an information explosion.Many universities are promotingchange in pedagogy to betterprepare students for successfulprofessional careers in theglobal economy of the informa-tion age. This change ischaracterized by a transitionfrom instructor-centered know-ledge delivery to student-centered experiential learning.The student-centered approachfosters process education incritical thinking, teamwork,problem solving, and communi-cation skills.

EGEE was established with afarseeing vision to integrateeducation and research on theentire lifecycle of energy andmineral resources from discoveryto end use, and on the environ-mental, health, and safetyaspects of each stage. Thisunique diversity of disciplineswithin the unifying umbrella of

(continued on page 13)

On July 1, 2001, Dr. Semih Eser was appointed as Associate Headof the Department of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering.

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Alumni UpdateATTENTION EGEE ALUMNI

The Department of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering is alwayslooking for news of its alumni: promotions, degrees, job changes, honors,personal accomplishments, etc. If you have news you would like to sharewith us and/or your classmates, please e-mail or mail the following informationto: EGEE Alumni Update, Penn State University, 116 Hosler Building,University Park, PA 16802-5000 or e-mail to: EGEE@ems.psu.edu.

__________________________________________________________Name (including your birth name and/or maiden name, as you prefer)___________________________________________________________E-mail address__________________________________________________________Address__________________________________________________________City/State/Zip__________________________________________________________Home phone Work phone__________________________________________________________Year of graduation Major___________________________________________________________News/information to be printed

We look forward to hearing from you!

Craig Adams(’00 Mining Engineering)cta106_ford@yahoo.comCraig recently moved toConnelsville, PA. He is amining engineer for ConsolEnergy.

Kevin P. Arceneaux(’79 Mining Engineering)Kevin is director ofenvironmental affairs for theLouisiana Power & EnergyAuthority. He, his wife, Jan,and their nine-year-old son,Sean, live in Lafayette, LA.

Mark A. Clemans(’87 Petroleum and Natural GasEngineering)Mark is the recipient of the2001 College of Earth &Mineral Sciences’ AlumniAchievement Award. He is apetroleum engineeringconsultant for Netherland,Sewell & Associates, Inc.

Kay Allen Keller(’62 Fuel Science) gkeller@lmf.netKay is operating a railroad carrepair and locomotive leasingfirm and would like to hearfrom any ’62 fuel sciencegrads.

James Roma(’86 Petroleum and Natural GasEngineering)James is a senior productengineer for B. Braun Medicalin Barto, PA. He and his wifeCynthia Sestito (’87 Business)had a son, Quinton.

Madan M. Singh(’61 Mining Engineering)Madan is the recipient of theHoward N. Eavenson Awardfor his distinguished

contributions to theadvancement of coal miningthrough research andpublications in the theory andpractice of rock mechanics incoal mining, civil engineeringand geotechnical engineering,and for scientific andengineering contributions tounderground- and surface-mining in subsidence, minedesign, tunnelling, siteassessment and ground-waterhydrology.

Charles W. Stickler, Jr.(’37 Mining Engineering)Member of the mining facultyabout 50 years ago. Now havemany children/grandchildren,who are graduates of PSU.Also have grandchildren thatare current students at PSU.Major accomplishment—21grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

R. Karl Zipf, Jr.(’88 Mining Engineering)Karl joined Spokane ResearchLaboratory as branch chief ofthe Catastropic FailureDetection and PreventionBranch. In addition to hisPh.D. from Penn State, Zipfreceived a B.S. in civilengineering from LehighUniversity and an M.S. inmining engineering from theUniversity of Arizona. Zipf is aregistered professionalengineering in Colorado andan expert in rock mechanics,mining methods and miningsafety and health. As branchchief he will be responsible forguiding projects involving“rock bursting” problems indeep underground mines suchas those in the Silver Valley ofNorth Idaho.

EGEE hosts Open House on November 3, 2001 to celebrate the10th Anniversary of GEMS (Graduates of Earth and MineralSciences). L to R: Sara Hillegas, 9th Semester, EnvironmentalSystems Engineering; Robert Watson, Professor, Petroleum &Natural Gas Engineering; Peter Horstman (‘60, B.S. and ‘62M.S.,Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering and his wife, Terry;and Michael Adewumi, Professor, Petroleum and Natural GasEngineering.

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HOW TIME FLIES

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to share my thoughtswith students, alumni and colleagues of the Department of Energyand Geo-Environmental Engineering. Although our Department isvery young, most of the academic programs that make ourDepartment have been around for a long period of time. Take, forexample, the Mining Engineering Program, which started at PennState in 1893. Similarly, we can find the roots of Fuel Science,Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering and Mineral Processinggoing back to the 1930s and 1940s. While each of these academicprograms tells us the success stories of our alumni, faculty andstudents, we are also very proud of our young academic programs,Environmental Systems Engineering and Industrial Health andSafety. I see these new programs highlighting the changes that aretaking place around us.

We are all surrounded with changes. I arrived in HappyValley in 1975 with no gray hair. To those of you who know mepersonally, I can report that, nowadays, I sport nothing but grayhair. On one hand, I feel that my institutional memory is quite rich;on the other hand, I feel that more than 25 years that I have beenaround have passed so fast. I am confident that our new programswith their students, alumni and faculty will build and enjoy awonderful recognition like sister programs in the Department withina timeframe that will run very fast as well.

Believe me that everything that happens around us happensvery fast as it happened to me in one of the instances last summer.It was sometime during the second half of June, and I was on myway to Bakersfield and San Ramon, California to visit with some ofour alumni. As part of my travel itinerary, the second leg of my tripwould take me from Pittsburgh to San Francisco. I was on one ofthe rapid transport belts that move you around the PittsburghInternational Airport. There are two of those belts going in oppositedirections and they run side by side. So, when you are on one ofthose belts and if you keep on walking and you see someone on theother belt who is walking towards you and smiling, you have a veryshort time to joggle your memory and recognize the individual.That is how fast it happened to me when the gentleman on theother belt said, “Hello, Dr. Ertekin” when we came side by side.When I heard my name, I immediately turned my head and caughthis smile one more time, while each of us kept moving in opposingdirections rapidly. Finally, when I reached the gate, I was able tocome up with the name. If I am not mistaken, he was Bob Nolen ofPNGE class of 1983 (if I am wrong, my apologies to Bob and to thegentleman). Bob is one of our alumni whom I have not seen foralmost two decades now. I felt sorry that I could not return hissalutation and for that I hope he will forgive me.

I wanted to share this story with you as I was telling youearlier how fast everything around us is happening and how fasteverything will continue to happen. With this newsletter, we wantto tell you what is happening in our “neck of the woods.” Please dothe same, drop us a note, give us a call, stop by, and say “Hello”and “test” our memories. It will be one of those tests we would loveto take even if we fail. Good readings and happy trails.

Turgay ErtekinProfessor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering

George E. Trimble Chair in Earth and Mineral Sciences

“I’ve now worked with hundredsof mining and mineral

processing engineers from justabout every mining school.

My Penn State degree work gaveme a solid foundation in allfacets of mining, not just in

blasting and mucking.My Penn State educationhas been the key to my

success!”

Drew/Andy AndersonNorth American Manufacturing

Manager, W. R. Grace & CompanyB.S., ‘78 MNGE; M.Eng., ‘89 MEM

“Penn State gave me thetechnical tools to be on the

competitive edge of theworldwide petrotechnical

marketplace for a lifetime.Even more, taking the

Penn State legacy with youopens doors, gives you

immediate positiverecognition and identifies

you with the best.”

J. Robert GochnourConsulting Reservoir Engineer

B. P. Corporation‘73 B.S., ‘75 M.S., ‘76 Ph.D., PNGE

“Penn State prepared mefor more than just the

technical aspects of my job.It gave me the confidence

and connections toeffectively work in the

coal industry.”

Barbara J. ArnoldPresident, PrepTech, Inc.

‘82 B.S., MNGE‘85 M.S., MNPR‘89 Ph.D., MNPR

President, GEMSCollege of

Earth and Mineral Sciences

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EGEE-Education

EGEE RECEIVES

UNDERGRADUATE

ENHANCEMENT FUNDS

The Office for Undergraduate Educationrecently awarded

Jonathan Mathews and Sarma Pisupatienhancement funds for Summer Session 2002.

The funds will be used topurchase digital cameras and supplies

for students to create their own electronicportfolios in EGEE 101,

Energy and the Environment.

FEATURE DEGREE PROGRAM . . .

INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

The most precious resource in an organization is its people.People are a company’s major investment, and their welfare isessential to good business. The safest workplace is the mostproductive workplace. Industrial accidents disrupt production andaffect people’s lives. In today’s competitive marketplace, companiescannot afford the losses that are incurred. And, increasingly,employees are sensitive to their environment and are demandingsafe and healthful working conditions.

Many industries are heavily regulated by federal- and state-government agencies to maintain specific health and safetystandards and are monitored to assure compliance with thesestandards. While substantial progress has been made in industrialhealth and safety, deaths, disabilities, industrial accidents anddisasters continue to occur. The need for well-trained health andsafety professionals has never been greater.

Professionals in the field are interested in areas such as:

• quantification of accident and injury experience and loss control• environmental health• system safety engineering• fire protection engineering• industry hygiene• industrial ventilation• the management processes of planning, organizing, and controlling• the interactions among workers, machine and environment• the theories of learning, motivation, and morale• understanding engineering principles of processes and systems

Industrial Heath and Safety at Penn State is an interdisciplinarymajor administered through the Department of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering. Students may tailor their program tofocus on specific areas of interest. The major includes a generalbackground in the basic sciences, followed by a core programemphasizing the nature of the various industries and the technical,economic, and policy issues of occupational safety and health. Itincludes a mixture of lectures, individual and team laboratoryprojects, research projects, and field excursions, with an emphasison applying theory to the solution of industrial problems.

Veronica Nosik and Brent Miller working in the IHS Laboratory

Industrial health and safty professionals are the peoplewho make safety happen. They have a bright future in industryas inspectors, investigators, analysts, trainers, and programadministrators. They are found in the construction, energy,minerals, chemical, transportation, and heavy manufacturingindustries and government agencies. Employment opportunitiesalso exist in research organizations and private consultingcompanies.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment insafety specialist occupations to increase by 29% by the year2005, with approximately 50,000 job openings in industry andgovernment.

(continued on page 15)

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EGEE FACULTY RECEIVE COLLEGE’SWILSON EDUCATION GRANT AWARDS

Jonathan Mathews, assistant professor of EGEE, received aWilson Education Grant Award for “Streaming Coal MultimediaExperience,” to feature the Anthracite Region.

Sarma Pisupati, assistant professor of EGEE, received a WilsonEducation Grant for “Web-Based Individualized Interactive Tutor(WIIT) for general education initiatives in the Department.

STATE-OF-THE-ART SOFTWARE DONATEDFOR EGEE FACULTY AND STUDENTS

Special thanks are extended to . . .

Managing Board of RUNGE, AustraliaFaculty Contact--Vladislav Kecojevic, vladislavk@eee.psu.eduThe Managing Board of RUNGE, Australia donated three state-of-the-art software packages. These packages include TALPAC--shovel and loader/truck modeling and productivity, DragSim--dragline simulation and coal strip mine design, and XPAC--mineplanning and scheduling.

Schlumberger-InternationalFaculty Contact--Robert Watson, bob@pnge.psu.eduSchlumberger has identified Penn State as a focus school bydonating state-of-the-art software, developed specifically forpetroleum and natural gas companies, but which can be used in theinstruction of applied economics for any application where there isa degree of risk or uncertainty. This software is recognized world-wide for its capabilities and is available for faculty and student usein the EGEE Computer Laboratory.

THREE-YEAR GRANT RECEIVED FROMEUROPEAN COMMUNITY/UNITED STATES OF

AMERICA JOINT CONSORTIAwww.ems.psu.edu/ICEEIT/

EGEE received a three-year grant from European Community/United States of America (US/EC) Joint Consortia for Cooperationin Higher Education. The US/EC Joint Consortia Program is a grantcompetition run cooperatively by the U.S. Department ofEducation’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education(FIPSE) and the European Commission’s Directorate General forEducation and Culture.

The funded consortium, Interdisciplinary/InternationalCurriculum on Energy and the Environment: InnovativeTechnologies (ICEEIT), seeks to promote student exchange betweenthree universities in the United States and four universities inEurope. New courses will be developed and existing courses willbe modified to create innovative teaching/learning activities in aninternational context. The proposed curriculum will be offered toundergraduate and beginning graduate students across all thedisciplines in participating universities. Altogether, 30 studentswill be mobilized for transatlantic exchange during the grant period.

Partners of the consoritum in the United States and Europe are:

The Pennsylvania State University (Lead) Colorado School of Mines University of Vermont University of Orleans, France (Lead) University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy University of Beira Interior, Covilha, Portugal

An interdisciplinary team of faculty involved in developing theconsortium course modules at Penn State, includes Derek Elsworth,Semih Eser (U.S. Coordinator), and Jonathan Mathews, College ofEarth and Mineral Sciences; Andy Lau and Jon Plaut, College ofEngineering; Craig Humphrey, College of Liberal Arts; JamesShortle, College of Agricultural Sciences; and Peter Rubba, Collegeof Education and World Campus.

Penn State’s MiningEngineering program wasthe beginning, but a greatbeginning! My education atPSU provided the properbalance of academics, reality,work ethic, experience, andpersonal development thatled me to a wonderful,challenging and veryrewarding career in themineral industry.

The Mining Engineering Department, as it was known in the1960s, provided the small college intimacy along with largeuniversity benefits, something often lacking in other “academicfactories.”

The camaraderie and fellowship of a closely-knit faculty andstudent colleagues provided role models, mentors, businesscontacts, and resources.

It was the “best of times,” when industry competition wasfriendly and usually there was enough demand that all of uscould “win” without someone else having to “lose”!

James K. McWilliams‘68 Mining Engineering

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EGEE@Your.ServiceLET EGEE TAILOR a COURSE THAT FITS YOUR TRAINING NEEDS

The Department of Energy and Geo-EnvironmentalEngineering helps societies worldwide maintain or improve theirstandard of living by solving problems related to the global use ofenergy and minerals.

In this information technology age, it is easy to forget thatthe prime movers of our industrial machine are energy and minerals.EGEE works to find new ways to make the use of minerals andcarbon-based fuels affordable and clean. Our mission is to developnew and improved processes and educational programs so that theenergy and mineral industries are supplied with outstandingprofessionals.

Our service activities focus on offering educational andtraining programs to help those in the energy and mineral industriesmaintain lifelong learning.

Let EGEE tailor a course for your organization today thatfits your training needs of tomorrow. Contact Kelly Henry at 814-865-3439 or by e-mail at koh1@psu.edu to discuss how EGEE canbe of service to you.

2001-2002 EGEE Outreach ActivitiesSource Testing Workshop--”A Comprehensive Hands-On Approach”This course was geared towards environmental professionals witha general understanding of source testing who needed to branchout into pollutant-specific sampling methods. The workshop wastargeted towards stack sampling in Pennsylvania as well as otherstates. The objective of this three-day lecture and laboratoryworkshop was to provide personnel the needed backgroundinformation, checklists and guidance associated with EPAmethodologies involving stack tests for characterizing andquantifying traditional emissions from industry sources.

Course Director: William T. “Jerry” Winberry, Jr., PrincipalEnvironmental Scientist, EnviroTech Solutions.

Faculty Contact: Alan W. Scaroni, Professor and Head, Departmentof Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering, 814-863-3264 (Voice);aws1@psu.edu (E-mail)

The Tenth Pennsylvania Drilling and Blasting ConferenceThis conference was structured to provide continuing educationto blasting professionals and a statewide forum for discussingcurrent drilling and blasting issues. Participants had the opportunityto examine new products and practices for cost savings, improvedfragmentation, vibration control, improved safety and regulatorycompliance.

Course Director: Phillip Halleck, Associate Professor of Petroleumand Natural Gas Engineering, 814-863-1875 (Voice);phil@pnge.psu.edu (E-mail)

Principles of Coal PreparationAn overview of the objectives and capabilities of modern coalpreparation can help deliver a more viable product to the marketplace.During this course, participants examined processing principles,unit operations, flow sheets, and environmental relationships. Coalcharacteristics related to combustion were considered, along withtechnical and economic considerations, in producing refined coalproducts for today’s markets. The materials were presented withan emphasis on process design.

Course Director: Mark S. Klima, Associate Professor of MineralProcessing and Geo-Environmental Engineering, 814-863-7942(Voice); msk4@psu.edu (E-mail)

Petroleum Refining & Ultra-Clean FuelsThis course provided overviews on crude oil composition, petroleumrefining objectives and processes, chemistry of fuel desulfurization,production of ultra-clean fuels, fuel additives and combustion, airemissions from combution engines, thermally stable jet fuel, andanalysis of hydrocarbon fuels. The four-day short course includedtours of combustion engine and jet fuel laboratories of The EnergyInstitute, and a field trip to the United Refinery in Warren, PA.Course instructors were: Mark Badger, The Energy Institute;Michael Coleman, Materials Science and Engineering; AndreBoehamn, Semih Eser, Harold Schobert, Chunshan Song, and RobertWatson, Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering.

Course Director: Semih Eser, Associate Head and Associate Professorof Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering, 814-863-1392 (Voice);eser@psu.edu (E-mail)

Over 500 underground and surface blasters, engineers, and suppliers,and other professionals associated with drilling and explosives attendedthe Tenth Pennsylvania Drilling and Blasting Conference, an outreachprogram of the Department of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineeringheld November 8-9, 2001. This conference was structured to providecontinuing education to drilling and blasting professionals and a statewideforum to discuss current issues.

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MEET THE NEWEST EGEE STAFF

Angela JordanGraduate & UndergraduateStaff Assistant110 Hosler BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000814-865-3437 (Voice)814-865-3248 (Fax)akj3@psu.edu

Phyllis A. MosesmanGraduate & UndergraduateStaff Assistant110 Hosler BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000814-863-0373 (Voice)814-865-3248 (Fax)pam9@psu.edu

Education:B.A., Elementary Education, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, New York, 1974

Phyllis joined the Department of Energy and Geo-EnvironmentalEngineering in March 2001, after spending 18 years in the Collegeof Engineering at Penn State. She has been working closely withundergraduate students for the past eight years, and recently beganworking with graduate students as well. Phyllis takes a uniqueapproach when interacting with students: her recipe consists ofassistance in every way possible, combined with a pinch of TLCsince most of the EGEE students are far from home.

Phyllis and her husband, Neil, have a daughter who graduated fromPenn State in May 2001, and a son who is currently a freshman atUniversity Park. You might say the Penn State is very much a partof Phyllis’s life. She came to State College in 1983 via Massachusetts,though she is originally from New York City.

Paula SnyderRecruiting Coordinator108 Hosler BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000814-863-9091 (Voice)814-865-3248 (Fax)PaulaS@eee.psu.edu

Education:B.S., Speech Pathology & Audiology, Boston University, 1979M.A., Human Resource Administration, Framingham State College, 1991

Paula comes to EGEE with 20 years of Human Services experience.For the last nine years, she has lived and worked at Gould Fram, asmall nonprofit and working farm that offers a holistic approach tomental health treatment. She managed a Human ResourceDepartment and recruited full-time volunteers to join its staff. Inaddition to College Placement offices, Paula worked closely withChurch Volunteer Services nationwide, International VolunteerAgencies, AmeriCorps, and returning Peace Corps volunteers.

Paula moved to “Happy Valley” this summer. She is a native ofMassachusetts.

EGEE’s Miner Training Programwas awarded first-place for

their program titled,“Fall Prevention Training”

at theAnnual Training Materials Competition,

sponsored by theMine Safety and Health Administration

in Beckley, West Virginia,October 2001.

Congratulations

1ST PLACE

Angela joined the Department of Energy and Geo-EnvironmentalEngineering in June 2001. In her prior position at Penn State, sheworked with undergraduate programs for two years. Before startingat the University, Angela worked for the Pennsylvania HolsteinAssociation for six years.

Angela and her husband, Todd, just built a new home in Aaronsburg.Angela has a flare for primitives and antiques.

Penn State’s EducationalTechnologies Service (ETS) unitof Computer and InformationSystems recently awardedSarma Pisupati $25,000 todevelop web-based simulation

modules for EGEE 102, EnergyConservation and Environ-mental Protection. The ETS unit is a facultytechnology support unit. Thestaff consists of instructionaldesigners, programmers, graphic

artists, and technical writers.The staff’s main focus is onimproving teaching and learningat Penn State. The award Pisupati receivedconsists of staff hours to designand develop the first of many

modules. This process wouldenable a template “look and feel”which can be applied toadditional modules. The ETSunit will also assist Pisupati withan impact assessment of thecreated module.

PISUPATI RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

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Faculty AttributesWilson Outstanding Teaching AwardSemih Eser, associate head and associate professor of Energy andGeo-Environmental Engineering, is the recipient of the WilsonOustanding Teaching Award in the College of Earth and MineralSciences. Dean Dutton noted that Eser possesses an extensiveknowledge of his subject matter. He creates an environmentconducive to learning by listening, respecting, and encouragingparticipation from all. His style of instruction teaches students tobe self-motivated and learn responsiblity.

Mitchell Award for Innovative TeachingJonathan Mathews, assistant professor of EGEE, is the recipient ofthe Mitchell Award for Innovative Teaching in the College of Earthand Mineral Sciences. According to Dean Dutton, Mathewsemploys web-based technology in three forms—teaching, testingand modeling. By using the web to provide reading links, data, andcomputer-based presentations, class time is freed for peer-basededucation and discussion. This enhances presentation skills,student interaction, and overall confidence.

The Thornton MedalRaja V. Ramani, professor emeritus of mining engineering, washonored with The Thornton Medal, which recognized him for hisoutstanding keynote address, “Environmental Planning in theMineral Industry in the 20th Century.” The keynote address wasdelivered at The Legacy of Mineral Extraction organized by TheInstitute of Mining and Metallurgy and the North of EnglandInstitute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers held in Newcastleupon Tyne, England.

Brian Kelly AwardJohn M. Andresen, assistant professor of EGEE and associatedirector of the Applied Catalysis in Energy Laboratory at The EnergyInstitute, received the Brian Kelly Award during the First WorldConference on Carbon held in Berlin. The award was based on thepaper, “Correlation Between Pitch Structure and Fluidity for theDevelopment of Superior Binders for Carbon Materials” co-authoredwith Frank J. Rusinko, Jr. and Harold H. Schobert. The Brian KellyAward is a prestigious award given by the British Coal Group tooutstanding young researchers under the age of thirty-five in thefield of carbon science.

John A. Dutton, EMS Dean and Jonathan Mathews,recipient of the Mitchell Award for Innovative Teaching

MEET THE NEWEST EGEE FACULTY

William A. GrovesAssistant ProfessorIndustrial Health and Safety223 Hosler BuidingUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000814-863-1618 (Voice)814-865-3248 (Fax)wag10@psu.edu

Education:Ph.D., Industrial Health, The University of Michigan, 1997M.P.H., Industrial Health, The University of Michigan, 1993B.S., Chemical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 1985B.A., Arts & Science/Natural Sciences, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, 1985

Groves, who is a certified industrial hygienist (CIH), and certifiedsafety professional (CSP), is interested in developing sensors andinstrumentation, as well as assessment methods and strategies formeasuring human exposure to contaminants.

Groves began his studies as a graduate student at the University ofMichigan where he helped develop Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW)sensors to measure organic substances in air and solvents in breath.He has extended his research using SAW sensors to measure volatileorganic contaminants in drinking water. In current research fundedby NIOSH through the Center for Disease Control, Groves isdeveloping a sampling system to measure the effectiveness ofrespirators in the workplace.

Groves joined Penn State after three years as an assistant professorwith the Department of Preventative Medicine and EnvironmentalHealth at the University of Iowa. He was also employed as anindustrial hygienist with Aetna Life and Casualty, Newport NewsShipbuilding, and The Dow Chemical Company.

Joel M. HaightAssistant ProfessorIndustrial Health and Safety224 Hosler BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000814-863-4491(Voice)814-865-3248 (Fax)jmh44@psu.edu

Education:Ph.D., Industrial and Systems Engineering, Auburn University, 1999Master of Industrial Engineering, MIE, Auburn University, 1994B.S., Safety Sciences, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1981

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Dr. Haight has eighteen years of experience in engineering andprocess design in the environmental and safety fields. He has anextensive senior level background in providing and supervisingprocess safety management, loss prevention, and environmentaland occupational health services. He has led numerous processhazard analyses of a variety of processes with a focus in petroleumrefining.

He has an in-depth knowledge of human factors engineering,ergonomics and biomechanics, fire protection, and occupationalhealth. He has completed and supervised numerous analyticalprojects involving liquefied petroleum gas handling, sulfur recovery,hydrogen sulfide scrubbing, distillation, crude oil loading, wasteand potable water treatment and oil production and processingsystems. Additional areas of expertise include: emergencyresponse, incident investigation, risk analysis, auditing, trainingand standards development. His responsibilities have also includedair permit applications and air emissions compliance.

Mrugala comes to EGEE after thirteen years in industry as ageotechnical engineer with expertise in design and construction ofunderground structures, and acoustic emission studies. As a leadgeotechnical engineer for Parson’s Brinkerhoff, Mrugala wasinvolved with the design and analysis of the Department of Energy’sExploratory Shaft Facility in Deaf Smith County, Texas and its YuccaMountain site characterization studies in Las Vegas, Nevada. From1991 to 1994, Mrugala worked on the Superconducting Super ColliderProject in Texas and was responsible for ground control analysis,tunnel inspections and design and the numerical modeling of twolarge cut-and-cover excavations. Recently he has turned his effortsto projects related to underground oil and gas storage problemsand salt solutions mining. At Penn State, Mrugala will be studyingnumerical modeling, as well as both theoretical and practical aspectsof acoustic emission technology in rock mechanics to solve groundcontrol problems.

Vladislav J. KecojevicAssistant ProfessorMining Engineering154 Hosler BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000814-865-4288 (Voice)814-865-3248 (Fax)vladislavk@eee.psu.edu

Education:Ph.D., Surface Mining Engineering, University of Belgrade, 2000M.Sc., Surface Mining Engineering, University of Belgrade, 1996B.Sc., Surface Mining Engineering, University of Belgrade, 1991

Kecojevic has ten years of experience in teaching, research and thesurface mining industry. His areas of expertise include: surfacemining systems, surface mine design and simulation, and modelingof surface mining operations. He has designed a number of coal,copper, bauxite, limestone, sand and gravel surface mines. He alsodeveloped several software packages for hard rock surface miningincluding in-pit crushing systems and materials handling systems.A special emphasis in his research and teaching is placed on 3Dmodels, animation and visualization techniques.

Marek MrugalaAssociate Professor, MiningEngineeringThomas V. and Jean C. FalkieFaculty Fellow212 Hosler BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000814-863-7598 (Voice)814-865-3248 (Fax)mjm48@psu.edu

Mercedes Maroto-ValerAssistant ProfessorEnergy and Geo-EnvironmentalEngineeringVirginia S. and Phillip L. Walker, Jr.Faculty Fellow122 Hosler BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000814-863-8265 (Voice)814-863-8892 (Fax)mmm23@psu.edu

Education:Ph.D., Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasglow, Scotland, UK, 1997B.Sc. (with honors), Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasglow, Scotland, UK, 1993

Maroto-Valer has nine years of experience in the multidisciplinaryareas of recovery and utilization of waste streams, greenhousegases, fuel science, and carbon materials. She joins EGEE from herprevious appointment as a member of the research faculty at TheEnergy Institute at Penn State, where she currently serves as theProgram Coordinator for the Sustainable Energy Program. She hasa strong background in the environmental challenges faced byfossil fuels utilization, with special emphasis on characterization,recovery and utilization of combustion by-products, carbonmanagement and CO2 sequestration.

Maroto-Valer has over 90 publications, including a book in whichshe served as editor, chapters in books and encyclopedias, papersin refereed journals and conference proceedings. She receivedseveral prestigious international awards during her education, aswell as during her research career. She has organized symposia andserved as session chair in various national and internationalconferences, and also served as reviewer for professional journalsand for proposals to federal and private funding agencies.

Maroto-Valer will work on teaching, research, and service programson combustion byproducts, carbon capture and sequestration,hydrogen production, and renewable energy.

Education:Ph.D., Mining Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 1985M.S., Mining Engineering Academy of Mining and Metallurgy, Krakow, Poland, 1975M.S., Mechanical Engineering Technical University, Krakow, Poland, 1973

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Professional Society NewsPNGE STUDENTS WIN

SPE 2001 ROCKY MOUNTAINREGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL

PAPER CONTESTS

In April 2001, four petroleum and natural gas engineeringgraduate students traveled to New Mexico Tech (Socorro-NewMexico) to participate in the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ “2001Rocky Mountain Regional Student Paper/Presentation Contest.”Kevin Best and Zuleima Karpyn represented the Master’s Division,Robert Strout and Lynn Silpngarmlers represented the Ph.D.Division. Five different Universities participated in the contest:Penn State, Colorado School of Mines, University of Oklahoma,University of Tulsa and New Mexico Tech. At the end of thecompetition, Bob Strout received 3rd place, Lynn Silpngarmlersreceived 2nd and Zuleima Karypn received 1st place in their respectivedivisions. By receiving 1st place in the Master’s Division, Zulemiawas invited to participate in the “International SPE Student Paper/Presentation Contest.

The SPE International Student Paper/Presentation Contestwas held at the SPE 2001 Annual Technology Conference andExhibition (ATCE) in New Orleans, Louisiana in October 2001.Winners from the Undergraduate, Masters and Doctorate divisionsfrom numerous SPE regional contests were eligible to compete. Inthe Master’s Division, our very own Zuleima Karpyn, took tophonors with her presentation of “Counter-Current Flow in PorousMedia at Residual Wetting Phase Saturation: Experiments andAnalysis.”

Zuleima is from Caracas, Venezuela and came to Penn Statein the Spring of 1999 to study for her M.S. degree under ProfessorAbraham S. Grader. After completing her M.S. studies in May 2001,Zuleima immediately began working on her Ph.D. degree inPetroleum and Natural Gas Engineering.

Zuleima Karpyn‘01 M.S., Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering

Ph.D. Candidate, Petroleum and Natural Gas EngineeringRecipient of the 2001 International SPE Student Paper Contest

BISE HONORED WITH SME DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD AND THEPENN STATE EXCELLENCE IN ADVISING AWARD

Christopher J. Bise washonored with the Society ofMining, Metallurgy andExploration, Inc.’s DistinguishedMember, Class of 2001 Award inrecognition of his achievementsin the coal mining industry.

Bise was also recognizedwith Penn State’s Excellence inAdvising Award, established by

the Undergraduate StudentGovernment’s Academic Assem-bly, which recognized him for hisexcellence in general advising,academic guidance, enthusiasm,and assistance in decision-making and goal setting.

Bise is currently the Holderof the George H. and Anne B.Deike, Jr. Chair in Mining Engi-

neering. He is in charge oftheMining Engineering andIndustrial Health and Safetyprograms in EGEE. His areasofexpertise and researchinterests include mine planningand design, mine safety,production analysis and mine-equipment maintenance. He isthe author of SME’s textbook,Mining Engineering Analysis,and edited the SME textbook,

Coal Mining Technology:Theory and Practice. Bise is aregistered professional engineer,a member of theNationalAcademy of Forensic Engineers,the Society of ProfessionalEngineers, the Society ofProfessional Engineers and theAmerican Conference ofGovernmental and IndustryHygienists. He is a CertifiedMine Safety Professional.

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ERTEKIN HONORED WITH UREN AWARD

Turgay Ertekin was honored with the Society of PetroleumEngineers’ Lester C. Uren Award, which recognized him for hisdistinguished achievements in the technology of petroleumengineering. After earning a Ph.D. degree in petroleum and naturalgas engineering at Penn State, Dr. Ertekin began teaching at theuniversity as an assistant professor in 1978. He is currentlyprofessor of petroleum and natural gas engineering and holder ofthe George E. Trimble Chair in Earth and Mineral Sciences.Previously, he held the Quentin E. and Louise L. Wood EndowedFaculty Fellowship. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees inpetroleum engineering from Middle East Technical University inAnkara, Turkey.

Dr. Ertekin is involved in numerous research projects and hisprincipal research interest is in the area of mathematical modelingof fluid-flow dynamics in porous media. His current researchprograms include development of parallel computing protocols inreservoir simulation, artificial neural network applications inreservoir engineering, coalbed methane reservoirs, improved oilrecovery techniques, flow of gases in tight formations, naturallyfractured gas condensate reservoirs, and well test analysis incomplex domains. His research efforts with his graduate studentshave produced 21 Ph.D. and 41 M.S. theses. Ertekin has givenmore than 100 invited lectures, and 20 workshops and short coursesthroughout the world and has authored or co-authored more than125 publications including four books and four book chapters. Heis a co-author of the recently published SPE textbook Basic AppliedReservoir Simulation.

Dr. Ertekin is an elected distinguished member of the Society ofPetroleum Engineers has served on several SPE committees andwas Executive Editor of SPE Formation Evaluation from 1992-94.He received the College’s Matthew J. and Anne C. WilsonOutstanding Teaching and Outstanding Service awards in 1982and 1999, respectively. Ertekin is the recipient of the 1995 UniversityGraduate Faculty Teaching Award and the 1998 SPE DistinguishedFaculty Achievement Award.

Chris Bise, recipient of Penn State’s Excellence in Advising Awardwith Graham Spanier, Penn State President

2001-02 EGEEPROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OFFICERS

Society of Geo-Environmental Engineers:http://www.ems.psu.edu/egee/ProfessionalSocieties/GEOEEsoc.html

Student President: Heather Prescott, hlp130@psu.eduFaculty Advisor: Mark Klima, msk4@psu.edu

Penn State Mining Society:http://www.ems.psu.edu/egee/ProfessionalSocieties/mngsoc.htmlStudent President: Stephen Worley, smw213@psu.eduFaculty Advisor: Christopher Bise, bise@ems.psu.edu

Society of Petroleum Engineers:http://www.ems.psu.edu/egee/ProfessionalSocieties/spesoc.htmlStudent President: David Greene, dmg220@psu.edu

Faculty Advisor: Phil Halleck, phil@pnge.psu.edu

TEXAS A&M’SENGINEERING PROGRAM

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDPRESENTED TO

JOHN C. CALHOUN, JR.John C. Calhoun, ‘37 B.S., ‘41 M.S. and ‘46 Ph.D., Petroleum and NaturalGas Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University

John C. Calhoun was honored for lifetime achievement inengineering education and leadership by Texas A & M. He hasserved Texas A&M in positions as dean, vice president, vicechancellor and agency director. During his tenure, the engineeringprogram experienced a growth so vibrant that its spirit became acatalyst for similar advancements across campus. He emphasizedthe fusion of teaching, research and extension, guiding theestablishment of university centers in areas such as data processingand marine resources. He was instrumental in the efforts leading toTexas A&M’s designations as the state’s Sea Grant College and asa Space Grant University. Dr. Calhoun’s election to the prestigiousNational Academy of Engineering attests to his stature in theprofession. His greatest legacy is the advancement of Texas A&Mand its Engineering Program toward which he continues to makecontributions as Distinguished Professor Emeritus and DeputyChancellor of Engineering Emeritus. For all of these and manyother accomplishments, the Engineering Program at Texas A & Mhonored Dr. Calhoun with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Research in Motion

GROVES RECEIVES COLLEGE’SWILSON RESEARCH INITIATION GRANT

William Groves, assistant professor of Industrial Health andSafety, received a Wilson Research Initiation Grant for “AFluorometric Method for Ammonia Analysis.” The overall goal ofthis project is to modify a recently reported fluorometric method foranalysis of ammonium in marine and freshwater samples, so that itcan be used for the analysis of ammonia in ambient air.

THE HOT TOPIC . . .FUEL CELLS

THE RESEARCHER: SERGUEI LVOV

Lvov’s Research Philosophy

To carry out fundamental and multidiciplinary studies that canbe further employed in the development of new technologies.

During Serguei Lvov’s 20-year research career he hasobtained the necessary experience to work on both fundamentalproblems of science and technology and their applications inindustry. His research includes both experimental studies andtheoretical modeling.

Lvov’s current research interests include, electrochemicalengineering, materials sciences, surface chemistry, thermodynamics,and environmental physical chemistry. The industrial applicationsof his research include: polymer electrolyte fuel cells, nuclear, fossilfuel, geothermal power generation systems, and supercritical wateroxidation technology.

Lvov has obtained over $2 million in external support forhis research at Penn State. He was the founder of The EnergyInstitute’s Electrochemical Laboratory in 1999. His projects havebeen supported by government agencies (NSF, DOE, ARO),industrial companies (EPRI, CalEnergy Inc.), national laboratories(ORNL) and universities (MIT, PSU). In the area of high temperatureelectrochemical studies, Lvov’s research group is the leading teamin the world.

Lvov Receives Research Award from DOE

It was announced recently by Secretary of Energy, SpencerAbraham, that $85.7 million in research awards would be given to18 organizations and five universities to perform research anddevelopment on cutting-edge energy efficiency and clean energyscience and technology. According to Secretary Abraham,“Enhancing energy efficiency is an important goal of the President’sNational Energy Policy.”

“Fuel cells, hydrogen technology and advancedcombustion energy engines are among the most promising areas ofDOE’s research and development work,” he said. By workingtogether with partners from industry and the academic community,

we can make the technological advances and scientificbreakthroughs needed to fully realize the potential of thesetechnologies.

Among the fuel cell, hydrogen, and engine technologyresearch awards received was Dr. Lvov’s project titled,“Development of High Temperature Proton Exchange MembraneFuel Cells.” Using a new class of proton exchange membranes,Lvov and his associates at Penn State will develop a high temperatureproton exchange membrane fuel cell. Improvements in protonconductivity, electrosmotic drag water, thermal stability, andmechanical strength and the development of technologies forpreparation of the membrane electrode assemblies usingpolyphosphazene membranes will allow the fuel cell to operate atelevated temperatures, perhaps as high as 250oC. Serving as co-principal investigator on this project with Dr. Lvov is Dr. Harry R.Allcock, Evan Pugh Professor of Chemistry at Penn State.

Lvov Joins DOE High-Temp Membrane Working Group

The formation of the DOE High Temperature Membrane(HTM) Working Group was announced at the June 2001 AnnualNational Laboratory R&D Meeting of the DOE Fuel Cells forTransportation Program. The Working Group was established todraw upon the expertise of academic, government, and industryscientists to address the very challenging need for polymerelectrolyte membranes that can operate at temperatures above 100oC.Dr. Lvov currently serves as a member of this working group.

Dr. Serguei N. LvovAssociate Professor,

Energy and Geo-EnvironmentalEngineering

207 Hosler BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802

814-863-8377 (Voice)lvov@psu.edu (E-mail)

Venture Development Corporation (VDC) recentlyannounced that the Bush administration’s new FreedomCooperative Automotive Research (CAR) initiative could acceleratethe development of the market for stationary fuel cells. The FreedomCAR program is a $1.5-billion effort intended to further developfuel cell technologies for automotive applications.

Connection 13

CURRENT RESEARCH SPONSORS

AIG Financial Products CorporationAir Products and Chemicals, Incorporated

Alliance RemanufacturingAllison Engine Company

Altex Technologies CorporationAramco Services Company

Atlantic Research CorporationBen Franklin Technology Center

BP Amoco FoundationCE Minerals Development L.L.C.

Ceramen CorporationChevronTexacoConoco, Inc.

Cornerstone Technologies, L.L.C.Corning, Incorporated

Department of Environmental ProtectionEast Ohio Gas

Energetics IncorporatedFoster Wheeler Development Corporation

Foster Wheeler Energy CorporationHalliburton Energy Services

Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Lehigh UniversityNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

National Science FoundationNOVA Research & Technology Corporation

Oak Ridge National LabOklahoma State University

ONDEO NalcoParker Hannifin CorporationSchlumberger Well Services

Siemens-WestinghouseU.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of EnergyU.S. Department of Health & Human Services

U.S. Department of the Air ForceUniversal Energy Systems

University of Tulsa

FEATURE EGEE PUBLICATIONSBadger, M. W., R. J. Santoro, and H. H. Schobert. Progresstoward coal-based JP-900. Newsletter, International Associa-tion for Stability and Handling of Liquid Fuels, No. 26, pp. 10-14,2001.

Haight, J. M., R. E. Thomas, Leo A. Smith, R. L. Bulfin and B. L.Hopkins. Evaluating the effectiveness of loss preventioninterventions: developing the mathematical relationshipbetween interventions and incident rates for the design of a lossprevention system (Phase 1), Professional Safety--The Journalof the American Society of Safety Engineers, Vol. 46, No. 5, pp.38-44, 2001.

Haight, J. M., R. E. Thomas, Leo A. Smith, R. L. Bulfin and B. L.Hopkins. An analysis of the effectiveness of loss preventioninterventions: design, optimization, and verification of the lossprevention system and analysis model (Phase 2), ProfessionalSafety--The Journal of the American Society of Safety Engineers,Vol. 46, No. 6, pp. 33-37, 2001.

Radomsky, Mark C., R. V. Ramani and J. P. Flick. Slips, trips andfalls in construction & mining: causes and controls. Publishedin the September 2001 issues of Professional Safety, Vol. 46,No. 9.

Schobert, H. H. and C. Song. Chemicals and materials fromcoal in the 21st century. Fuel, Vol. 81, pp. 15-32, 2002

NEW ASSOCIATE HEAD . . .(continued from page 1)

an academic department offers exciting opportunities. TheDepartment has made great strides, in three short years, to continuethe excellent tradition of its old roots and nourish the newinterdisciplinary programs in both undergraduate and graduateeducation (see Dr. Ertekin’s reflection and other profiles in thisissue of Connection.) We are now well poised to mine the synergyunderlying our varied disciplines to implement curriculumintegration and innovation for teaching/learning that cut acrossall our programs.

Recruiting good students remains a high priority in theDepartment, as marked by our recent initiatives described in thisissue. I intend to devote a great portion of my energy to curriculumissues and recruiting students, two issues that I think, are closelyrelated. As always, we count on support and guidance from allmembers of the EGEE community, particularly the alumni and friends.Please keep in touch, share your insights, and keep us moving inthe right direction!

It is truly an honor to serve as Associate Head of EGEE. Withwarm greetings and best wishes.

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Student VoiceATTENTION EGEE STUDENTS--

REAP THE BENEFITS OF INVOLVEMENT--BECOME AN EGEE AMBASSADOR/

KOCHANOWSKY SCHOLAR

New in 2001-2002 is an opportunity for students in our disciplinesto represent EGEE by becoming an EGEE Ambassador/Kochanowsky Scholar. The mission of this group is to promote theDepartment and its programs, as well as its interests and goals,among future, current and past students and friends of Penn State.Each Ambassador will bring a unique perspective, not onlydiversifying the group, but also providing new, bolder ideas andchallenges. EGEE Ambassadors will cultivate excitement and pridewithin EGEE and the country’s greatest university, Penn State.

All EGEE students with at least sophomore standing and threesemesters of classes remaining at University are eligible to becomean EGEE Ambassador/Kochanowsky Scholar and receive a monetaryaward from the Boris J. and Maria Kochanowsky Scholarship Fund.

To obtain an application for the EGEE Ambassador/KochanowskyScholars Program, student should contact:

Paula SnyderEGEE Recruiting Coordinator

108 Hosler Building814-863-9091

paulas@eee.psu.edu

The EGEE Ambassadors/Kochanowsky Scholars selected forSpring Semester 2002 are:

Eric Chastain, ENVSE, 4th Semester, Elysburg, PADavid Domalakes, PNGE, 4th Semester, Frackville, PAKatie Strass, ENVSE, 7th Semester, Downingtown, PARichard Saadeh, PNGE, 4th Semester, Elderton, PA

EGEE Ambassadors will play a key role in student recruitment withtheir one-on-one contact with potential students. They willparticipate in career fairs, give tours to prospective students, andvisit their high schools to spark more interest in our disciplines.Some will use their talents and ideas to help with the Department’sbrochures and web site. However, and perhaps most importantly,this group of students will welcome and support new students asthey arrive at University Park.

FEATURE . . .

IHS STUDENT DEVELOPSEAST HALLS HOUSING COMPLEX

PRE-FIRE RESPONSE PLAN

During Fall Semester 2002, Christopher Stroz, seniormajoring in Industrial Health and Safety, developed a Pre-FireResponse Plan for the University Park East Halls Housing ComplexThe Pre-Fire Response Plan was selected by Stroz to meet therequirements of an independent study course under the supervisionof Dr. Joel Haight, Assistant Professor of Industrial Health andSafety.

The idea for this project was developed in cooperationwith PSU’s EHS Department and Steve Triebold, the University’sChief Fire Protection Engineer. Mr. Triebold also supports the IHSprogram by offering tours through University facilities to look atfire related systems. Stroz also worked part-time for the Alpha FireDepartment in State College and was offered support for his projectby members of the Alpha organization.

On December 7, Stroz presented his Pilot Study of EastHalls, which included a database he built of all the fire and evacuationaid equipment available for firemen to respond to a fire emergency.Members of the Alpha Fire Department, University Park Housing,and the Emergency Response Team were in attendance. After thepresentation, it was decided by Steve Triebold that the Pre-FireResponse Plan that Stroz developed should be used as a pilot forother organizations.

Chris Stroz graduated in Fall 2002 and is currently employedas a Safety Engineer with ChevronTexaco’s corporate office inRichmond, California.

Christopher J. Stroz‘02, B.S., Industrial Health and Safety

Connection 15

GENERAL EDUCATION STUDIES—A MAIN FOCUS IN EGEE

The inclusion of General Education studies at Penn State inevery degree program reflects a deep conviction by the Penn Statefaculty, as well as by leaders in all professions, that successful,satisfying lives require a wide range of skills and knowledge. Italso, in essence, augments and rounds out the specialized trainingstudents receive in their majors and aims to cultivate aknowledgeable, informed, literate human being.

Energy is a vital component of modern society. Much of thegeneral population believes that the energy sources we dependon are perpetual. While people believe that energy use is theculprit for environmental damage, they are not aware of the methodsand principles by which energy conversion devices operate.Students (non Earth and Mineral Science disciplines) throughEGEE’s general education courses acquire knowledge, which willenable them to critically evaluate energy-related concerns ofsociety. This is important for any college graduate for responsiblecitizenship and stewardship.

Effort is well underway to increase EGEE’s participation in theeducation of a wider spectrum of the student population bydeveloping new general education and service courses to teachthe Department’s areas of emphasis more widely on the UniversityPark campus, and at non-University Park locations, including theWorld Campus. Our target is to double student credit hours ingeneral education and service courses by the 2005 academic year.

The Department will use internal resources and aggressivelyseek external funds to utilize information technology not only as adelivery medium, but also as a learning tool. The learning processwill be enhanced through video and audio streaming, virtualsimulations, interactive studying, visualization, and computer-based quizzes with feedback.

Sarma PisupatiCoordinator, EGEE General Education and

Assistant Professor of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering

0100200300400500600700800900

98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02

406 369431

880

EGEE General Education Enrollment Statistics

Academic Year

Stud

ents

Enr

olled

0100200300400500600700800900

98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02

406 369431

880

EGEE General Education Enrollment Statistics

Academic Year

Stud

ents

Enr

olled

INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (continued from page 4)

Career paths as an industrial health and safety professional caninclude positions such as:

• safety/compliance inspector• academic safety inspector• health specialist• safety engineer or consultant• loss control specialist• corporate safety director• vice president of safety

Recent graduates are employed in the construction industry, foodsindustry, oil and chemical industry, and the nuclear industry.

EGEE’s degree program in Industrial Health and Safety providesthe skills and knowledge needed to embark on a successful careerin these fields. Please consider hiring these well trained studentsin the safety, health, fire and environmental areas.

Currently, there are 23 undergraduates in the program and sincethe first graduate of the program in 1999, we have graduated 10students into industry. EGEE has excellent computing facilities andextensive laboratory facilities. Students are exposed to integratedand capstone projects. Summer internships and cooperative workstudy opportunities are also available.

NEW M.S. DEGREE PROPOSED ININDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

This new degree program will provide graduate training in IndustrialHealth and Safety with an emphasis on the engineering aspects of thisdiscipline. The proposed M.S. graduate program will becomplementary to the existing undergraduate degree program andwill provide flexible and varied alternatives for students seekingadditional training and research experience in the field of health andsafety. The program is designed to provide a fundamental core ofcourse-based IHS training while allowing for specialization in relatedareas through the selection of relevant elective courses and a researchproject.

This program will be available for enrollment beginning Fall 2002.

For further information, contact:

Industrial Health and Safety ProgramDepartment of Energy and Geo-Environmental EngineeringCollege of Earth and Mineral SciencesThe Pennsylvania State University110 Hosler BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000814-865-3437 (Voice) • 814-865-3248 (Fax)IHS@ems.psu.edu (E-mail)

Visit our web site at: http://www.ems.psu.edu/IHS/

Connection16

January 7 Classes Begin, Spring 2002 Semester

February 25-27 Society of Mining Engineers AnnualMeeting, Phoenix, AZ

March 4-8 Spring Break

April 1 EGEE Scholarship, Fellowship and AwardApplications Due

April 5 and 7 The Seventeenth Annual GraduateExhibition

April 6 EMEX—Earth and Mineral Sciences ExpositionOpen House

April 14 Wilson Awards Banquet—Nittany Lion Inn

April 20 Blue/White Game

April 22-26 Peter H. Given Lectureship in Coal Science

April 26 G. Albert Shoemaker Lectureship in MineralEngineering

April 26 EGEE Student Awards BanquetPenn Stater Conference Center Hotel

April 26 Classes End—Spring Semester 2002

May 10-12 Commencement

May 13 Summer Session (First Six-Week)Classes Begin

May 27 Memorial Day Holiday—PSU Closed

June 21 Summer Session (First Six-Week)Classes End

June 24 Summer Session (Second Six-Week)Classes Begin

July 4 Independance Day Holiday—-PSUClosed

August 2 Summer Session (Second Six-Week)Classes End

August 3 Commencement

2002 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

ConnectionDepartment of Energy and Geo-Environmental EngineeringCollege of Earth and Mineral SciencesThe Pennsylvania State University110 Hosler BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802-5000