Spring ceremony hosts largest graduating class ever

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the Georgia Institute of Technology

Faculty/Staff Newspaper Volume 24. No. 19

May 15, 2000

http://www.whistle.gatech.edu

Spring ceremony hosts largest graduating class ever Richard Hennes Institute Communications and Public Affairs

utside Alexander Memorial Coliseum on the morning of May 6, the sun warmed a quiet Georgia Tech campus. Nearly everyone, it seemed, was inside the commencement-readied "Thrillerdome," and, like an ACC match-up, the excitement in the air was tangible. With friends and family members whistling and waving from the upper rows, approximately 1,500 members of the class of 2000 marched in as students, and prepared to leave as alumni. This year's 206th commencement honored the largest graduating class in Tech's history. For the first time, it was divided into two ceremonies: one for approximately 1,000 undergraduates beginning at 9 a.m., and a second ceremony for approximately 500 master's and Ph.D. graduates beginning at 4 p.m. Alfred R. Berkeley Chris Young's gleeful expression was a common III, president of The one on graduation day. The Truman Scholar Nasdaq Stock Market, proudly poses with his new diploma. Inc., addressed the 9 a.m. audience. He said that like many observers, Georgia Tech graduates may be confounded by the rising value of companies that appear to earn little profits. As with the railroads in the 1880s, the Internet has changed everything, but "the explosion of knowledge that you're enjoying should not be taken for granted," he said. As soon-to-be members of the working world, graduates are entering a land rush to claim space— including cyberspace—on new business opportunities. At the same time, however, they must "get engaged in the effort to ensure that we continue to invest in research," so that future generations will enjoy the same opportunities. "Be a leader, speak up, participate and keep working," Berkeley said. Joseph Bordogna, deputy director and chief operating officer of the National Science Foundation, spoke in similar terms at the graduate ceremony. "You will have particular capabilities to succeed ...," he said. "You will also have special responsibilities to help shape our world ... [and] to harness our technologies for the betterment of society." "You're about to leave the order of campus life—such as it is—for the more complex, more disorderly, and infinitely more exciting world of great opportunity and adventure. It will be how you face the complexity of that world that will determine the future for all of us."

sby Stanley Leary. /n ,r4

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For graduate Chris Young, a recipient of the Truman Scholarship, the future most likely holds a career in public service, with training in graduate school. But first, Young will come back to Tech as a Student Life Fellow to create and implement programs that will foster a more cohesive, sustainable sense of community at the university. "It was a bit of a surprise," he said, of walking across the stage. "Before I knew it, Dr. Clough had opened his arms and taken a step toward me to give me a big bear hug." While some gradu- Alfred R. Berkeley III, president of The ates may feel nothing Nasdaq Stock Market Inc., was keynote but a sense of relief speaker at the undergraduate ceremoat graduation, Young ny. He spoke of the Internet and "the felt a sense of pride explosion of knowledge" graduates are and accomplishment. enjoying but warned them not to take "It wasn't a sense it for granted.

of, 'I got out,"' he said. "My four years at Tech made me a better person. More than anything, it was a feeling of pride. It hasn't all been easy, but going to Tech was the best decision of my life to this point. I can't picture myself having gone anywhere else." Another well-known student, All-America golfer Matt Kuchar, also accepted his degree—a bachelor's in management. Kuchar, with his great golf swing and a No. 2 world amateur ranking, may not have to rely on his Georgia Tech diploma to open doors for him in his chosen career path, at least for a while. Nevertheless, if the size of his smile was any indication, he was just as proud of his accomplishment as the rest of the new graduates.

The Whistle will be published biweekly throughout the summer semester. Look for your next issue on May 30. Weekly issues will resume Aug. 2 I .

111 May 15, 2000

NAE selects two more members from Tech Victor Rogers Institute Communications and Public Affairs

dward W. Price and C.P. (Ching-Ping) Wong have a lot in common. Both came to Georgia Tech after distinguished careers in industry, they enjoy working with students, and both work in important 'behind-the-scenes' engineering disciplines. Now Price and Wong have one more thing in common: both are selected for membership in the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest professional distinctions accorded an engineer. "Election into the National Academy of Engineering represents the acknowledgement by your peers of extraordinary achievements and contributions to the engineering field," said NAE President William. A. Wulf, who recently lectured at Tech. Members are elected by their peers, are drawn from all engineering disciplines, and include leading engineers from industry, academia, government and other institutions. The organization has 2,027 U.S. members and 157 foreign associates. Roughly one engineer in 1,000 is inducted into the NAE, according to Wulf. Edward W. Price Price, a Regents' Professor Emeritus in the School of Aerospace Engineering, is being honored for "critical contributions to the understanding of solid propellant combustion and solid rockets developments." He retired from Tech in 1991 but continued consulting and conducting research in the Propellant Combustion Laboratory, where he spends about a half a day per week. Georgia Tech's members of the "Our goal is to understand, in microscopic National Academy of Engineering detail, what's happening as a propellant burns," Edward Price G. Wayne Clough said Price, who was a researcher at the Naval H. Donald Ratliff Charles A. Eckert Weapons Center (NWC) in China Lake, Ronald W. Schafer Don P. Giddens California for 30 years before coming to Tech in Arnold Stancell Nikil S. Jayant 1974. Researchers in the Propellant Combustion Rao R. Tummala Ellis L. Johnson Laboratory use a high-speed camera to take picWard 0. Winer Robert G. Loewy tures of rocket propellant as it burns. C.P. Wong James D. Meindl "Everything happens on such a microscopic Ben T. Zinn George L. Nemhauser scale that you never see the level of detail you Robert.M. Nerem want to see. Burning is controlled at the level of less than a millimeter. You can't get instruments

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Georgia Tech

Did you know Office of International Education relocates

The

Whistle Editor-in-Chief: Denise Noble Published by Institute Communications and Public Affairs. Publication is weekly throughout the academic year and biweekly throughout the summer. The Whistle can be accessed electronically through the Georgia Tech web page, or directly at www.whistle.gatech.edu . E-mail Whistle submissions to [email protected] , or fax to Denise at 404-894-72/4, at least 10 days prior to desired publication date. For more information, call 404-894-8324.

Cost/S675

Copies/5,200

Institute Communications and Public Affairs Wardlaw Center 177 North Avenue Atlanta. Georgia 30332-0181 Georgia Tech is a unit of the University System of Georgia.

in there to measure it, and photography won't see the details. You have to infer what's happening by using different experimental strategies. It's kind of a detective business," he said. C.P. Wong's work in packaging electronics also requires a bit of sleuthing. As a materials engineer, he searches for new methods of packaging electronics to replace traditional methods which often are heavy, bulky, expensive and made of metal or ceramics. Plastic packaging is 5 to 10 times cheaper than traditional packaging and also improves the computer's performance. "Computers and other electronics run about five times faster when packaged in plastic," said Wong, a Regents' professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering and research director of the Packaging Research Center. The NAE is recognizing Wong for "contributions to materials development leading to plastic packaging of electronics." Wong, a chemist by training, came to Tech in 1996 from AT&T Bell Laboratories where he was a Fellow. His sponsored research projects at Georgia Tech generate $600,000 annually from about a dozen companies, plus the National Science Foundation and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. He enjoys working in materials engineering and is quick to extol the virtues of the discipline. "Materials engineering is one of the broadest disciplines, covering chemistry, physics, mechanics, science, mathematics and engineering," Wong said. "One of the key things driving the advancement of the semicon- C.P.Wong ductor industry is materials engineering. Materials are the 'heart and soul' of the electronics industry. Everything we use today—cell phones, personal computers, microwave ovens—relies upon materials." The election of Price and Wong to the National Academy of Engineering brings Georgia Tech's number of members to 17. (See the box at left for a list).

The Office of International Education has moved to the Coon Building, Room 203. Phone and fax numbers same: • Phone: 404-894-7475 • Fax: 404-894-9682 The Office previously was located in the mg. Carter award established to ho outstanding campus-community projec

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration has been established to honor exceptional cooperative efforts to strengthen the lives of families and local communities. Organized by the College of Arts and Sciences at Geor a State University, the Carter Partnership Award includes $10,000 for the continuation of the selected program, un taken by a Georgia college or university in partnership w community group. The inaugural award will be shared by the campus and community partners, with $5,000 going to each. The award is open to collaborative campus-communi improvement projects that have been in operation for at I one year, with specific award criteria requiring a high le shared decision making between campus and community partners, as well as a focus on families, economic opportunity, learning and research. The deadline for applying is June 30. The award selection committee will include representatives from community groups, higher education, and business leaders from around the nation. The award ceremony will be held Nov. 15 at Georgia State University.

For more information about the Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration or to obtain applicaaterials, visit www.gsu.edu/carteraward, e-mail @gsu.edu or call 404-651-2294. awards in state printing

CO Th Copy Print' stat

formation Technology's Printing and PCS) recently won several awards in the ssociation of Georgia's (PIAG) annual cellence Competition. on is the fourth largest state printing competion. This iyear, it attracted more than 1,200 84 printing companies in Georgia. eceived six awards: one Best of Category and five lids of Excellence. This year marks the seventh consecuyear PCS has been named an award winner in the compen, receiving 19 awards during that span. One Best of Category and one or more Awards of Excellence (second place) are given in each category. The g criteria include: registration; ink coverage; paper and lection; design and typography; difficulty of printing; all appearance; and bindery. AG is a trade association headquartered in Smyrna. The iation is affiliated with the world's largest graphic arts trade association, Printing Industries of America, and with Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, the premier technical resource in graphic arts. PCS processes more than 3,600 orders annually. For more information, see http://www.pcs.gatech.edu .

11 May 15, 2000

Spotlight

Age: 53 Occupation: Professor and chair, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Current projects and/or research: Control of ozone and fine particle air pollution problems; modeling the effect of pollution control efforts on visibility; study of air pollution control in China and India; and protection of museums and archaeological sites from damage due to air pollution. What I find most challenging about my job: Balancing the continuation of my research efforts against the administrative responsibilities of my new job.

The last book I read, and enjoyed, was: Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr and the Future of America, by

Thomas Fleming. My ideal weekend would include: Spending time on a lake in Maine. One thing I would like to improve in today's society:

Years at Tech: less than one—since January 2000

Environmental conditions, particularly in developing countries.

Education: B.S., mechanical engineering, University of Southern California; M.S., mechanical engineering, Stanford University; Ph.D., environmental engineering science, California Institute of Technology

When I was younger I wanted to be: An engineer, and that is, in fact, the career that I pursued, but today, I do other things as well that extend into the art world and several sciences.

Marital status: Married to Jean

My pet peeve is: More e-mail messages than can be answered every day.

Children: Robert, age 22

My daily routine would be incomplete without: Coffee.

Pets: Dog (Maida) and cat (Loki)

Tech continues innovations in education delivery Hewlett-Packard gives $1.7 million to support computer-enhanced learning

Pioneering professors turn curriculum upside down

Victor Rogers Institute Communications and Public Affairs

Victor Rogers Institute Communications and Public Affairs

omputer giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) is supporting Georgia Tech's efforts to improve engineering education by awarding a $1.7 million equipment grant for high-tech classrooms. This grant is the second of two HP grants totaling $3 million. The first grant, valued at $1.3 million, was awarded in 1997. "Georgia Tech is one of the leading engineering programs in the country," said Robert Bouzon of Hewlett Packard's University Affairs office. "It's a rising institution with a visible trajectory. We want to strengthen our relationship with Georgia Tech by supporting curriculum development and enhanced delivery. Then we want to hire those students!" Professor Thomas P. Barnwell, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, leads the campuswide Computer Enhanced Learning Initiative, which includes faculty in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the College of Computing and the School of Literature, Communication and Culture. "This initiative will put a computer at every desk in every classroom in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering," said Barnwell. "However, this is not a technology change; it's a cultural change." ing stock Professor Thomas Barnwell, School "For the first time in my career the lectrical and Computer Engineering, takes most exciting thing to talk about is educa!ntory of the ;1.7 million in computer equiption," Barnwell said. "Everything here is it from Hewlett-Packard.• embryonic. In order to evaluate the program, we must set up measurements, test what happened and compare it to our expectations. We must answer qualitative questions about what's happening. The real impact is still

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yet to come."

T

he original goal was direct: find a more logical way to teach undergraduate electrical engineering. But professors at Georgia Tech surpassed the original plan by literally rewriting the book on digital signal processing. Now, they find themselves at the forefront of undergraduate electrical engineering education. For 50 years, a course in circuits was the first course taught in the core curriculum of most electrical and computer engineering programs. In 1994, a group of Georgia Tech professors began exploring the merits of shaking up the order of courses by introducing a course on digital signal processing (DSP) before introducing the circuits course. "Digital signal processing is the natural modern choice for the first electrical and computer engineering course," said Professor Thomas P. Barnwell, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "In addition to addressing the same linear systems theory concepts as circuit theory, it also is intrinsically computer based, it is of importance to a broad class of engineering and other disciplines, and is timely and interesting to the students." Tech professors Jim McClellan and Ron Schafer, with Mark Yoder of Rose-Hulman, developed materials to teach a sophomorelevel class in DSP, and later published a textbook, DSP First (Prentice Hall, 1998). The DSP First concept has taken the engineering community by storm, and now approximately 70 universities including Stanford, Berkeley, University of Texas-Austin and Michigan follow the new curriculum.

Editor's note: This is the first of a recurring feature on educational technology at Georgia Tech.

Photo by Stanley Le

Full Name: Glen R. Cass

andPublic Affairs

Meet Glen Cass

13

May 15,2000

Brown Bags/Lectures

Miscellaneous

May 22

EXITE, "Exploring Interests in Technology and Engineering," a summer education program for young w

"Turkey's Foreign Policy in the 21st Century: Economic and Political Implications," featuring His Excellency Baki Ilkin,

who have completed 6th or 7th grade. The program, spoor by IBM Corporation, aims to increase students' knowled1 engineering and technology, focusing on how to prepare emically to enter these fields and how these fields contrila the quality of life. July 31 - Aug. 4, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cn $50, including breakfast and lunch. Students will be seleq by May 22, on the basis of a math, science or computer teacher's recommendation and their student essay. Applications available upon request. Contact . Mimi Philot [email protected] or 404-894-7010.

Ambassador of The Republic of Turkey. Opening remarks by Ambassador John H. Kelly, former assistant secretary of State for Near East and South Asia, and diplomat-in-residence, Center for International Strategy, Technology and Policy. Noon, Wardlaw Center. $26 per person. Reservations required by May .15. Checks payable to Georgia Tech Foundation. Contact: Alan Gorowitz, 404-894-3199.

May 16 Courses/Workshops

June 15 Developing NSF and NM Budgets workshop. What types of costs are allowable on federal grants? How are indirect costs calculated? What is equipment? Can graduate student tuition be charged to my grant? Participants will learn how to develop a basic budget for proposals to the National Science Foundation and to the National Institutes of Health. 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., Centennial Research Building, Rm. 119. To register, see http://www.trainsweb.gatech.edu/ or call 404-894-2249.

Sports

Georgia Tech Women's Forum general meeting. Progra4 Presentation by Marilyn Smith, School of Aerospace Engineering. Noon, Pettit Building (MiRC), Rm. 102. Lim Entrees, salads, pasta, drinks, dessert, prepared by GTWF Board, $5. RSVP to [email protected] .

May 23 Fiscal year closeout town hall meeting. Agenda includes cal closeout/year open updates from Human Resources, Payroll, Grants and Contracts (including SPD), Budgets, at Procurement Services, and a calendar associated with the general ledger implementation, including training dates and new functionality release dates. 9 - 11 a.m., Student Servic Building, Rm. 117.

Retirement Dinner, 6 - 9 p.m., Wardlaw Center, Gordy

May 19 - 20

Room. Contact: Aimee Anderson, 894-7613.

Georgia Tech Reebok Invitational. Georgia C. Griffin Track, 4 p.m., May 19; noon, May 20. Free admission. Call 404-8944461 or see www.ramblingwreck.com .

Classifieds

1995 Saab 900S, dark green with tan leather interior, fully equipped, 87K miles, excellent condition. Asking $10,000. Call Chuck Donbaugh, 770-577-2860 (eve.). • 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited, V8, 4WD, loaded, black, $15,000. Contact 770254-8948 after 6 p.m.

APPLIANCES

Magic Chef microwave. Black front/white sides and back. Great condition. $50. Leave message at 678-443-0809. Kenmore continuous cleaning gas oven/ stove. 21" wide x 25" deep, 4 burners, like new, perfect for cabin. $80. Call Rochelle, 404-892-3661. Free: Older General Electric washer/dryer. Dryer works fine. Washer works, but no hot water. Pick up, and they're yours. Call 404320-1126. Wanted: Small dorm refrigerator. Contact [email protected] . AUTOMOBILES

1988 Honda Accord, 4-dr sedan, 5 spd, 149K miles, good shape in/out, runs well. $1,600 OBO. Contact 404-894-7703 or [email protected] . 1989 Volvo 740 turbo, burgundy, excellent engine, turbo work just completed, good tires, sun roof, service receipts on hand, $5,000. Call 404-894-6022. 1993 Geo Prim Lsi, one owner, 84K miles, 5 spd, 4 dr, pwr win, pwr locks, a/c, cruise, new timing belt, new battery, new tires. $5,300 OBO. Contact (h) 770-952-2809 or ks.selcar@ mgt.gatech .edu . 1995 Ford Windstar GL mini van. New engine and brakes, loaded, tinted glass, dual air/heat. Excellent condition w/ extended warranty. $8,500. Contact 770-517-3833 or [email protected] ..

Editor's Note: Calendar items should be e-mailed to [email protected] or faxed to The Whistle at 404-894-7214 at least 10 days prior to desired publication For more information, contact 404-894-8324.

washer/dryer. Avail. May 1. $790 + util. Contact [email protected] or 404-894-1711. Room for rent: 2 miles to GT, must see, washer/dryer. Avail. May 1. $400 + util. 404-8941711 or [email protected] .

1996 4-dr. Ford Taurus, 79K miles, automatic, pwr doors and windows, good condition, $7,000. Contact 707-945-8305 or [email protected] .

For rent: 1 BR apt. in duplex in Home Park (Hampton St.), available for summer sublease (May 15 - Aug. 15). $600 + electricity, gas. Contact 404-894-8947 (day), 404-892-0198 (eve) or [email protected] .

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 69K miles, V6, automatic, pwr everything, luggage rack, Infinity Gold stereo system (am/fm/cass/CD), alloy wheels, security system, remote entry. No pets, no smoking. $14,800. Mark, 404-3851569 or [email protected] .

For rent: 2 BR, 2 BA, screened sunroom. Furnished condo in Hollywood, FL. 1/4 mi. from beach. 2 heated pools, tennis courts, secured access. Will take 6-mo. or 1-yr. lease. $1,100/mo + util. Call 404-894-0183.

1996 VW Cabrio. Metallic forest green with tan interior, convertible, manual, top. 5-spd. Dual airbags, ABS, tilt, PS,PB,PL,PW, 80K miles. Front brake pads replaced 5K miles ago, does not have spare tire. $14,000 OBO. 404385-0449 or [email protected] .

For rent: Share 2 BR townhouse, $275/mo. + 1/2 utilities. Each BR has full bath; washer/ dryer; fenced backyard; fireplace; Smyrna, south of Windy Hill betw. Cobb Pkwy. and Atlanta Rd. Contact Jeff, 404-894-1046, 770434-0661 or [email protected] .

1997 Honda Civic LX: 4-dr, black, 51K miles, auto, CD, power locks, windows, great shape, $12,000. Contact 404-385-1053, 770492-0984 or [email protected] .

For rent: 4 BR/2.5 BA, 3,000-sq-ft. Decatur home, 1/2 acre wooded lot. Available 8/15/006/1/01 furnished or unfurnished. Perfect for visiting prof. or post-doe. $1,100/mo. Call 404-894-8200.

FURNITURE

SPORTS/FITNESS/RECREATION

Oak-colored student desk with black-cushioned swivel chair. Both only $55. Desk has one small shelf on desktop, one shelf below. Perfect for small room. You pick up. Leave message at 678-443-0809. Couch, matching swivel rocker recliner. dark green. 2 1/2 years old. Couch reclines on both ends, middle folds down to hold drinks, slideout drawer in foot area. Must sell; couch won't fit in apt. $400 OBO. 404-894-6062, 404-6367197 or [email protected] . REAL ESTATE

For rent: Duplex apt., 2 BR/1 BA, 2 miles to GT. Fully renovated, all new appliances,

weviNawrair "raviree .0. or

17 ft. Old Town canoe made of Rollflex. Custom teak wood seats, 65 lbs. Asking $450. Includes foam gunnel pads and racheting straps for transporting. Contact Jack, 404-8945284 or [email protected] . MISCELLANEOUS

Kawai CA130 digital piano. 6 voices, piano keyboard and pedals. Originally $1,800, will sacrifice for $650. Contact John/Laurie at 770-952-4717. Kenmore dryer, works fine, $50. Lazyboy, almost new, $100. Contact [email protected] .

Visiting scholar at Sam Nunn School seeks house-sitting opportunities for fall semester (Aug.-Dec.). References available. Contact [email protected] or 404247-6685. Flute, Jupiter, open hole, sterling silver hea joint, B foot joint, carrying case, cleaning rt like new, one owner (flute music major). $469. Call Susan, (w) 404-894-6758 or (h) 770-942-3128. Alvarez acoustic guitar. Good condition. Wi floor stand. $100. Contact Hoyt Coffee, 404 894-0761 or [email protected] Wanted: Number for the Peachtree 10K. Contact Robin Cubbage, 404-894-1953 or [email protected]. Sony 200-disc CD player, barely used, $125. Pioneer 100-disc CD player, barely used, $8 Upright vacuum cleaner, excellent condition, $50. Call Gary, 404-894-8728 or 404-312-45 Beautiful formal white dress with lace and pearls. Great for pageant or flower girl. Siz 10 (child). Never worn. $65. Contact trim. ford @library.gatech.edu . Guitar amplifier. Peavy Classic 50 tube-type with twin speakers and EFX pedal. Like ne Great sound. $200. Contact Hoyt Coffee, 4 4 894-0761orhyt.cfe@alumnighd Free kittens: 4 kittens for adoption 5/18. Female, male twins, beige w/ sealpoint, blue eyes; male, black-and-white w/ green or gold eyes; male, White w/ tan patches, blue eyes. Litterbox trained. Contact Mary, 404-8945199 or [email protected] . Editor's note: Faculty and staff may submit classified ads via e-mail to [email protected] or fax to 404-894-7214. The deadline for submissions is 10 days prior to issue date. Ads run for a maximum of three weeks in the order in which they are received. For more information, call 404-894-8324.