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• OU profs bring expertise to high school event

  As part of an effort to inspire the next generation of engineers, leaders in Oakland University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science recently visited students during Oak Park High School’s Engineering Day.

  The professors – Robert Van Til, Chris Kobus and Lorenzo Smith – gave interactive presentations on a variety of topics and engaged students in hands-on learning activities, such as simulating an assembly plant.

  The three shared stories about their career paths and advised students on how to prepare for the field by developing well-rounded skills in mathematics, science and technology, as well as gaining experience working in teams. Read More

• Pawley Institute Fellowships help OU professors further lean learning

  Last winter, the Oakland University Pawley Lean Institute awarded Pawley Institute Fellowships to four OU professors, who have since made great progress with their projects.

  These awards were given to help support research to advance knowledge and theories of lean learning and facilitate the work of university faculty to educate students about lean principles.

  The recipients are Mark Doman, visiting assistant professor in Human Resource Development; Bob Van Til, professor in Industrial and Systems Engineering; Shannon Flumerfelt, associate professor in Educational Leadership; and Gene Fliedner, associate professor of Operations Management within the Decision and Information Science department.

  Each professor was given $15,000 to work on education, research and outreach projects of their design.

  Professor Doman is currently working on expanding and developing new lean curriculum for OU. He has already developed a new undergraduate course, HRD 344: Kaizen in Action, and has begun work on two lean kaizen projects at the university. He is also publishing a blog to keep the community informed on his current class, HRD 304: Lean Principles and Practices in Organizations.

  Professor Fliedner is working to develop an academic textbook for the graduate and undergraduate levels. The book, Leading and Managing the Lean Management Process, will focus on leadership, culture, team and tools. While Fliedner’s textbook is currently in its publication stage, he already plans to follow this with an updated second edition.

  Professor Flumerfelt’s fellowship project is focused on creating virtual lean games for students to play in Second Life. The games are Lean Poker, The Dolie Factory and Push/Pull. Through these games, Flumerfelt wishes to positively affect the learning outcomes and experience of the students.

  Professor Van Til is using his fellowship to develop and monitor lean projects; he plans to use them as case studies to help teach students in his ISE classes. Through his most recent project, Van Til helped Crittenton Hospital Medical Center relocate their warehouse using lean principles. The project was estimated to save Crittenton over $580,000 in the first year alone.

  These four professors, through the fellowships, are working to spread lean principles throughout OU and the community.

  For more information, visit oakland.edu/lean.

• New York Times: For Newcomers in Silicon Valley, the Dream of Entrepreneurs
• President's update on recent university gift
• OU formula race car builders get visit from Gov. Snyder at NAIAS

  Oakland University students involved in the increasingly popular international Formula SAE collegiate car design competition have once again had the honor of showing off their work at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

  The honor was made all the more memorable, however, when Gov. Rick Snyder paid a visit with the Golden Grizzlies team and complimented the display of their 2010 and 2011 race cars.

  Read more...

• SAE chapter shows off vehicles, OU at international auto show

  By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant

  Along with showcasing cutting-edge products from the world’s leading automakers, this year’s North American International Auto Show will also spotlight vehicles created right here at Oakland University.

  The OU Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Collegiate Chapter’s 2010 and 2011 award-winning formula- style race cars are currently on display at Cobo Center, in downtown Detroit. This is Oakland’s second year appearing in the show and marks the first time the university has received sponsorship for an exhibition, according to Tom Garvey, OU SAE business manager.

  “This year, we have a fabulous display that was donated to us by OU alum Tracy Lindsay, proprietor of Lindsay Exhibit Group,” Garvey said. “The company has been working with us for about two months on design, graphics and lighting for our exhibit. We also have a very nice ramp that was donated by RAMP-BOSS USA.”

  OU SAE members are manning the exhibit located in the building’s main concourse, where attendees can admire the cars and learn about the university. OU Admissions staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about university programs during the show’s Education Day on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

  Representatives from the OU Alumni Association and School of Engineering and Computer Science will also be available.

  Designed and built by Oakland Students, both vehicles are well-traveled in competition. The 2011 car claimed 11th place out of 84 teams that faced off in the Formula SAE California event held last June in Fontana, CA. The 2010 car has captured its share of honors, including the Detroit Sports Car Club of America’s Formula SAE class title, and was named “Best Looking” at a competition in Toronto.

  Oakland’s SAE chapter regularly participates in other events, including the Woodward Dream Cruise, Concours d’Elegance of America, Rockin’ Rods in Rochester and the SAE World Congress at Cobo Center. The team is currently working on its 2012 vehicle in preparation for an SAE event at Michigan International Speedway this spring.

  “We’re so excited to be displaying our vehicles amongst the newest and best autos in the world,” said Stephanie Moore, OU SAE marketing manager. “We feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to share our success with the public.”

  Oakland’s exhibit will remain on display until the show wraps up on Sunday, Jan. 22.

  To learn more about Oakland’s SAE collegiate chapter, e-mail ousae@oakland.edu, or visit the website.

• Boost productivity with an OU engineering 4-pack

  In today's competitive, global economy, organizations need to innovate and adapt in order to succeed. Engineering professionals need to increase their productivity and skill sets to remain valuable and increase chances for advancement.

  Oakland University's Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) department has developed a flexible and directed graduate certificate program specifically designed to meet these needs. The personalized Productivity Improvement Graduate Certificate Program, or '4-Pack,' is open to engineers from any field. Read more...

• SECS Reimbursement Agreement Form Available to Students

  Student requesting reimbursement from the School of Engineering and Computer Science should fill out and submit the SECS Reimbursement Agreement form. Students are also expected to read and understand the Oakland University Administrative Policies & Procedures Numbers 207, 208 and 1000 found here.

• Scholarships to give students an opportunity to excel in engineering

  Four professors in Oakland University's School of Engineering and Computer Science have been awarded a $598,980 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to support OU's Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Scholarship Program that will increase the number of underrepresented students studying industrial and systems engineering, and mechanical engineering.

  The five-year grant, funded by the NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Program, will provide 32 academically talented and financially needy students with $4,800 per year for up to four years. The scholarships will be evenly split between students of both engineering disciplines. The NSF's goal in allocating these funds is to help satisfy a growing demand for engineers by enabling more engineering students to enter the workforce following completion of their degree. Read more...

  For more information and an application, see the ISE website.

PhD Student Info

• Ph.D. Dissertation Defense of Jamshid Khazaai, Design, Fabraication and Characterization of Electro-Thermal Mico Devices Based on MEMS Actuators, on March 9, 2012 at 1:00 PM in room 238 DHE
• Ph.D. Dissertation Defense of Robert C. Adams, Jr., Characterization of Dry Sliding Wear for Plane Bearing Materials, on March 14, 2012, at 2:30 PM in room 857 SEB

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