Robert A. Altenkirch, P.E., vice president for research at Mississippi State University (MSU), has been named the seventh president of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), New Jersey's public technological research university. Altenkirch succeeded ASME Fellow Saul K. Fenster, who retired after 24 years of service to the university.
Altenkirch, an ASME Fellow, was selected for his wide background in university research, teaching and administration with extensive experience in program development, fundraising and federal relations. His academic career at the University of Kentucky, MSU and Washington State University was followed by his return to MSU as vice president for research. He served the University of Kentucky as professor and chair of mechanical engineering, MSU as professor and dean of the college of engineering, and Washington State as professor and dean of the college of engineering and architecture. He has been an ASME member since 1976.

L.S. "Skip" Fletcher, P.E., has been honored with the Linton E. Grinter Distinguished Service Award, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology's (ABET) highest honor. Fletcher, an ASME Past President and Fellow, received the award during ABET's annual meeting last month. He was selected to receive the honor for his many contributions to ABET and engineering education, spanning 25 years of policy formulation and development, strategic planning and leadership in international and domestic accreditation matters. Fletcher has been active in ASME in a number of different capacities during his 44 years as a member. His Society posts include stints as a committee member, student section advisor, government relations representative and Board of Governors member. Fletcher also received the ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award, the ASME Dedicated Service Award and the C.R. Richards Memorial Award. He was president of ASME from 1985-86.

ASME President Susan H. Skemp was selected as an Associate Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). The title of Associate Fellow is bestowed upon members who have accomplished, or been in charge of, important engineering or scientific work, or who have done original work of outstanding merit, or who have otherwise made outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences or technology of aeronautics or astronautics. Nominees must be senior members of AIAA with at least 12 years of professional experience. Skemp will become an Associate Fellow at the institute's Associate Fellows Dinner in January.

Skemp was also recently added to the Alumni Hall of Fame at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla. She received her education and training at Florida Atlantic University, earning a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1981. Established in 1985, the Hall of Fame Award recognizes distinguished alumni who demonstrate exceptional service and commitment to their profession or to the community.

Skemp is manager of advanced technology planning at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. She is the 121st president of ASME International, currently serving the 2002-2003 term. During the past 21 years, Skemp has worked within all five of ASME's councils. She has served on the Board of Governors, Committee on Planning and Organization, Committee on Member Interests, Committee on Staff, Board on Member Interests and Development, International Gas Turbine Institute, Board on Performance Test Codes, and other units. She is also an ASME Fellow.

Another ASME member, Joseph L. Sussman, was also honored by ABET at its annual meeting last month. Sussman was selected as a Fellow of ABET for his contributions as chair of the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) and for providing invaluable industry perspective and sharing expertise with training team chairs and program evaluators during the transition to EC2000. Sussman is currently serving as past commissioner on the Engineering Accreditation Commission. Sussman has been active with ABET and the EAC since 1993. He has also been active in ASME, and is currently a member-at-large of the Society's Council on Education. He has been an ASME member since 1968.

Judith A. Todd has been named the new head of the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics at the Pennsylvania State University in College Park. A native of England, Todd will serve as the P.B. Breneman Department Head Chair and professor of engineering science and mechanics. Before taking her post at Penn State, Todd, an ASME Fellow, was the associate dean for research at the Illinois Institute of Technology's Armour College of Engineering and Science. In addition, she held the title of Iron and Steel Society Professor. She served as a member of the IIT faculty for 12 years. Throughout her career, Todd has won a number of awards and honors, including ASME's Board on Minorities and Women Award. Todd, who has been a member of ASME since 1989, is vice president of the Council on Engineering's Basic Engineering Group.

 

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