News archive
Benedictine Scholars Program
The Benedictine Scholars Program, headed by Brothers Nicolaus and Luke (monastic representatives), Angela Carlin (staff advisor), and Dr. Floraliza Bornasal (faculty advisor), strives to represent Benedictine values, lead, and to serve the community. Twenty scholars have graduated, and twelve of the 34 current scholars are majoring in School of Engineering majors (computer science, engineering or information technology). Read full story here.
New NSBE Chapter opens
With the help of Board of Trustees member and Boeing executive Dr. George Parker and new student president Joseph Clark, the School opened Washington State's second chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) in November. Member students from all STEM fields work with Boeing mentors and will plan service activities in the community, with a focus toward disadvantaged students. Interested students can join through www.NSBE.org.
School launches Engineering Speaker Series
On September 27, Mr. Tim Moore, the mega project bridge manager at Washington State's Department of Transportation, gave the inaugural presentation of the School’s Engineering Speaker Series entitled, “Digging Deeper into the Alaskan Way Viaduct Program.” Moore is a licensed professional and structural engineer, and is serving as the lead structural reviewer for that tunnel project.
Big Beam Team Wins 1st Place in National Competition
A team of seven civil engineering undergraduate and graduate students won first place in the national 2017 Precast/ Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Big Beam Contest. With help from team advisor Dr. Jill Walsh and Tacoma’s Concrete Technology Corporation, students fabricated a concrete beam they named “Kraken Again” in honor of Saint Martin’s second-place-winning entry from last year. Read the full story here.
Fall 2017 Semester Begins
After 60 students graduated with bachelor’s degrees in civil and mechanical engineering and computer science in May and August, the School’s student body has rebounded with the addition of 60 first-year students, 43 transfer students, 47 certificate students and 6 international students, bringing the total to 345 undergraduates. Classes began September 5.
Congratulations to 2016-2017 students of the year Valeria Zamano (civil engineering), Cameron Woodhull-Martin (computer science), Ryan Haseman (mechanical engineering), and Saint Martin's University faculty member of the year, Dr. Floraliza Bornasal (civil engineering.)
2017 Japan Cultural Exchange Tour
One of six study abroad programs this summer was a two-week trip to Japan in May and June. Students and faculty members enjoyed the hospitality of host families while visiting three sister universities of Saint Martin’s. Included in this year’s trip was civil engineering major Joanna Johnson (shown in the photo wearing dark blue, traditional attire).
Civil engineering senior produces award-winning video
Private organization “Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington” (www.sefw.org) has awarded civil engineering senior Cleo Pineda second prize in their first “FilmWorks” competition. Cleo’s narrated video explains how engineers use teamwork and fundamental principles to “Bring Concepts to Life.”
Spring 2017 School of Engineering dean's list
At the completion of the Spring 2017 semester, 83 main campus students and 3 Extended Learning Division students earned the academic honor of being placed on the dean’s list. Nearly 1 in 3 students majoring in civil engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering earned the minimum 3.50 grade point average (GPA) required to make the list. Eleven students had the added distinction of earning GPAs of 4.00.
Saints compete at ASCE Pacific Northwest Student Conference
Saint Martin’s civil engineering students traveled to Boise State University on April 21-23, 2017, for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Pacific Northwest Student Conference. Students participated in the concrete canoe, steel bridge, and environmental engineering competitions. The concrete canoe placed 6th overall, scoring 3rd for final product and 4th in race points. The environmental team did well in their first competition entry (awaiting results as of this writing) and the steel bridge unfortunately didn't qualify for ranking this year. Additionally, the Saints came in first place in a recreational dodge ball competition hosted by Boise. Overall, the engineering students gave it their all to make this competition a memorable learning experience and represented Saint Martin's well.
Engineering professor receives microscopy research grant
The Army Research Office has awarded a multi-year research grant to Dr. Rico Picone and colleagues at Cornell University who are working to enhance magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) technology capable of 3-D imaging at the molecular level. Recent work from this collaboration has been published by the journal Review of Scientific Instruments.
Computer Science graduate presents at industry conference
Computer Science students and Department Chair Dr. Mario Guimaraes (pictured) attended the 2017 SIGCSE conference of the industry association ACM where recent graduate James Belford (also pictured) participated in the student competition with his senior project on archiving urban art.
Future Saints visit during National Engineering Week
Pictured is just one group of local high school students who visited Cebula Hall on Engineering Awareness Day to see demonstrations of engineering labs, participate in group activities and talk with seniors about their capstone design projects. Many will have the opportunity to return to the event in the future as Saint Martin’s students themselves.
Transportation Secretary addresses the Annual Engineering Banquet
On February 24, the Honorable Roger Millar shared his insights into maintaining and enhancing the state’s road, rail, ferry and air travel systems. Banquet attendees included members of the student body and faculty, university administration, the Board of Trustees and the Abbey as well as alumni, the Engineering Advisory Board and other friends and supporters of the engineering program.
Civil engineering major wins local scholarship
Civil engineering major and SCJ Alliance intern Maddie Knecht was recently awarded the Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship from the Puget Sound chapter of WTS (Women’s Transportation Seminar). For more about Maddie, the SCJ Alliance and WTS, see the article at Thurstontalk.com.
Fall 2016 dean's list
During the Fall 2016 semester, 78 students earned the academic honor of being placed on the dean’s list. Students must complete at least 12 semester hours with no incomplete grades and a minimum 3.50 grade point average (GPA). Nine students had the added distinction of earning GPAs of 4.00. All are working toward completing bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering.