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Manhattan College
Engineering: A New Era
A new millennium, a new Dean, renewed facilities, new equipment, new programs, but the same tradition of excellence first started in 1892 is how Manhattan College's engineering program is beginning the 21st century. Leading the way is Dr. Richard Heist, the new Dean for the School of Engineering. Having been recognized by the American Association of Engineering Education for his work in developing internationally recognized programs in undergraduate laboratory education, Dr. Heist affirms that Manhattan College's strong student-centered environment, the educational richness that comes with a faculty involved in a variety of intellectual pursuits, and the commitment to a quality, broad-based engineering education are just a few of the important attributes for which the engineering program is already known. In the 1980's, during his tenure at the University of Rochester, Dr. Heist developed an undergraduate chemical engineering laboratory based largely on microcomputer and digital technology. This allowed students to focus on the fundamental, underlying principles of data instead of being immersed in manual measurements. As a result, more challenging experiments were added to the curriculum, making it possible to explore increasingly complex problems with an intimate connection to classroom material. The idea of using a microcomputer in the undergraduate teaching laboratory became a national model for a variety of engineering disciplines including the chemical engineering department at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the mechanical engineering department at Georgia Tech. Dr. Heist is the multi-year recipient of the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Awards at the University of Rochester, where he most recently served as the Associate Dean for graduate studies for the Schools of Arts and Sciences, and for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He has also published numerous articles in the area of nucleation. With degrees from Catawba College and Purdue University, Dr. Heist earned membership in Sigma Xi, the national honor society for science, and is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education, the American Chemical Society and the American Institute for Chemical Engineering. To be a leader in the field of engineering education, it is essential to be strategically positioned to take advantage of new technology and new directions in engineering and science,î Dr. Heist emphasizes. Moving in that direction, the College has spent over one million dollars over the past three years upgrading all the engineering facilities to cutting edge, state-of-the-art capability, including internet connection in all classrooms. In the mechanical engineering lab, for example, students are using IDEAS, the same industrial design package used by Ford and GM. Also, the freshman project room for freshman and robotics courses provides optimal function for classwork, focusing on powerpoint and design presentations. The College's new electrical and computer engineering lab, made possible by a grant from Hewlett-Packard, is outfitted with over $140,000 of telecommunications equipment, including 25 computers in the lab. There is also the new William J. Scala Academy Room, donated by Helen and Anthony J. Scala 44, of Port Chester, New York, named to honor the memory of their son, William J. Scala (1959-1979), a former Manhattan College student. This 125 seat auditorium, with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, is wired for powerpoint presentations and internet access. Its large size makes it ideal for outside speakers, as well as visiting industry representatives viewing senior design presentations, which may in turn lead to job offers. The Scala Academy Room is also a tribute to the College's past. Its walls are adorned with plaques recognizing Manhattan alumni who have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, the highest professional distinction accorded an engineer. Currently, there are 11 members from Manhattan College who are NAE members including Eugene R. McGrath 63, chairman and CEO of Consolidated Edison Company of New York; Lillian Barrone 77 director, Port Authority of N.Y. and N.J.; and James J. Morgan 54, Marvin L. Goldberger professor of environmental engineering science at the California Institute of Technology. New facilities at Manhattan College would mean nothing, however, without a curriculum keeping pace with the changes in the world. The Colleges new major in computer engineering combines courses in electrical engineering and computer science. This major places a special emphasis on understanding communications systems, including computer networks and wireless systems, helping to meet the demand for engineers capable of building complex systems integrating computer hardware and software. Manhattan is also only one of a handful of colleges that offers an undergraduate degree in environmental engineering. This program educates students in the causes, control, prevention and solutions of environmental problems, training them to address global concerns of the future. New equipment and challenging courses alone do not make a classroom. Providing the heart and soul to the engineering program are the faculty at Manhattan College, an integral part of the program's success. The establishment of the Donald J. O'Connor Endowed Faculty Chair honors the distinguished professor of environmental engineering and science and leading expert in the field of water pollution control who died in April 1997. The establishment of this chair, and the pledges of two additional ones, ensures that Manhattan will continue to make significant contributions to education and the field of environmental engineering, including the mathematical modeling of natural water systems. The first holder of the chair is Dr. Dominic M. Di Toro, research professor of environmental engineering at Manhattan College, principal consultant at HydroQual, Inc, and an internationally known engineer for his groundbreaking work in water quality analysis. Giving students the skills to get a well-paying job is the main goal at many engineering programs. However at Manhattan College, the engineering program goes one step further. Improving the quality of life is a hallmark of the Manhattan College engineering program. People with disabilities benefit from the College's mechanical program which designs and builds practical items that people can use in their daily lives. Environmental engineering students are using their skills and knowledge of water problems to help clean up the New York Harbor and the Tarrytown, NY, reservoirs. Our electrical engineering students produce CD-ROMs of medical conferences while chemical engineering students, working with their professors, are publishing books on environmental websites and pollution. Recognizing the need for role models, civil engineering students assist in tutoring high school students interested in pursuing an engineering degree when they attend college. Manhattan students aren't the only ones who share their knowledge and skill. Alumni engineers become mentors to freshman engineering students, sharing their expertise and experience in the field. Charlie Thornton í61, another member of the National Academy of Engineers, teaches the College's senior structural design course for civil engineers. His high profile projects include the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia, the new 1,483-foot-tall centerpiece of Kuala Lumpur, billed as the last great engineering achievement of the 20th century, as well as the Winter Garden and the World Financial Center in New York City. Alumni also serve on the five engineering Consultors Committees that help the College maintain the relevance of its current curriculum, help arrange internships, provide job opportunities, provide information on current trends in the industry and assist in getting grants. As Dr. Heist believes, The challenge the engineering school faces is to provide the curriculum and the education experience that will enable our graduates to excel in this world of tomorrow. By combining knowledge of mathematics and science with artistry and imagination in the classroom, Manhattan College is providing a strong foundation for tomorrow's engineers. It is safe to assume that as the 21st century takes shape, no matter what the demand: to build, to design, to clean, a Manhattan College engineer will be ready to work on solving the problem.
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