Outstanding Achievements

The Valero Experiential Learning Laboratory will be completed and up and running this fall. The new facility, which increases the space of the undergraduate teaching laboratories by 65%, was renovated with a $ 1 M gift from Valero Energy Corporation, a San Antonio-based Fortune 50 Company. As Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec said, "Valero's generous contribution reflects the confidence and appreciation of globally leading corporations in our research and education missions." The new laboratory is particularly important for safety training, hands-on learning, and developing students' critical thinking skills. The laboratory also adds new capabilities, including a new process control unit, a 3D printer, and bioengineering and materials modules. The laboratory will also house the control station for the forthcoming Morrow Energy Pilot Plant, which will be announced later this fall. Texas Tech Chemical Engineers have long been known for their practical knowledge and good work ethic, and the new Valero Experiential Learning Laboratory and the forthcoming pilot plant will allow us to continue to produce graduates that are creative, innovative, and practical engineers.

The Department kicked off its Mentor Program last spring with 68 student/alumni matches. Mentors met with students for one hour per month, typically by phone or in person, and discussed a variety of topics, including resume preparation, interviewing skills, career progression, and getting advanced degrees. Matches were made based on student career aspirations and interests and how they matched with those of alumni mentors. Both students and alumni were enthusiastic and learned a lot from their experience. Special recognition goes out to the mentoring advisory board committee who worked hard to articulate program goals and expectations; the committee was led by alumnus Kip Boit (MS/BSChE 2008) and included Margaret Walker (BSChE 1974), Rick Jones (BSChE 1981), Chiagoziem Aneke (BSChE 2018), Mackenzie Steckbeck (BSChE 2018), and Yogi Paturu (ChE Senior). The program was overseen by Department Manager Mary R. Harris and the faculty mentoring committee, Profs. Ya-Wen Chang, Gregory Fernandes, and Chijuan Hu. This fall we plan to expand the program to include not only alumni mentoring but also student peer mentoring and more mentoring seminars. As Newton so succinctly said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." To participate, fill out the mentor application at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/che/alumni/mentor.php – it is a great way to to give back to the department!

   

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