Published: June 8, 2017 By

I am excited to share the most recent edition of CU Engineering magazine, which is now available online. I hope you enjoy the stories of our students, alumni and faculty as they harness the power of engineering to transform lives.

There are several firsts with this issue.

You’ll notice a new author of the Dean’s Message: Bobby Braun. It’s the first issue since Bobby began leading our college in January. Bobby’s influence is present throughout the issue. In fact, he was the inspiration for another first—incorporating social media. Did you take note of the dean’s twitter handle @DeanBobbyBraun?

Content from the college’s social media is sprinkled throughout the print version to give readers a different perspective of CU Engineering.

The magazine features a double cover because we couldn’t choose just one. The front cover shows Brooke Owens Fellow Christine Reilly in front of Mariner 6 and 7 (more about Mariner later). This is the first year for the fellowship and we are hosting two students in Smead Aerospace. While on the back, the magazine highlights faculty researcher Dan Szafir with his robot, Nao. I met Nao on the day of the photo shoot and he is quite charming and not scary at all (as far as robots go). I encourage you to visit the IRON lab over in the ATLAS Institute, if you haven’t already. Truly a fun place where important, amazing research is happening and I can’t wait to see what Szafir’s team does next.

This issue was designed by the engineering college's creative services specialist Michelle Wiese. Michelle is new to the team, but she isn’t new to higher education. Lucky for us she decided to leave her Midwest roots behind and yield to her love of cycling and the outdoors. Be sure to stop by Michelle’s office (ECAD 144) and congratulate her on a job well done.

In my role as art director, I explored new places on campus, such as LASP and the Champion Center thanks to private tour guides Randy Siders and Professor Dave Clough. Over at LASP, I learned about Mariner 6 and 7, which both launched to Mars in 1969. The spacecrafts transmitted nearly 200 images of the planet back to Earth. The closest approach to Mars for both spacecraft was around 2,200 miles. In the Champion Center, I was able to see the National Championship trophy, Big 12 North Championship rings, football team locker room and indoor practice facility.

Mariner 6 and 7 in the LASP atrium   Trophy on display in the Chamion Center   Project in the aersopace department

From left: The Mariner spacecraft found in the LASP atrium, National Championship trophy on display in the Champion Center, and an engineering project in the aerospace department.

A special thank you to the following contributors:

Designers: Michelle Wiese (print & online), Marissa Doebert (online), Natalia Marroquin (online)
Contributors: Emily Adams, Kenna Bruner, Trent Knoss, Kevin MacDonald, Lisa Marshall, Amy Miller, Julie Poppen, Kellen Short, Jeff Zehnder 
Photography: Glenn Asakawa, Matthew Barnes, Patrick Campbell, Andrew Kowalyshyn, and College Archives
Editor: Paul Beique
Production: Denise Munn
Printing: D & K Printing
Mailing Services: Scott Herman
Budget Assistance: Rory Korpela

Keep in touch.

If you are a member of the engineering community but are not currently receiving the magazine, make sure to update your contact information. You may do so online or by emailing cueng@colorado.edu. There’s a lot happening here in the college although I am always looking for engaging content so please send me your story ideas.

Melissa Wise is the director of marketing and communications for the College of Engineering and Applied Science and she is also the managing editor of CU Engineering magazine.

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