Stay in touch with fellow UConn engineering alumni. Visit http://www.engr.uconn.edu/alumni/ and fill us in on your latest activities or learn what your college friends are doing nowadays! Some recent alumni news follows.
In addition, details of upcoming engineering alumni events appear beneath the alumni news. Be sure to mark your calendars!
Carroll Abrams (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, ‘52) passed away November 1, 2011. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Mr. Abrams worked for Phillips Petroleum in Kansas City but soon started his own advertising specialty business. A serial entrepreneur, he also opened a sailboat business and a restaurant. In Florida, he founded a successful business, Carab Enterprises, dedicated to supplying pins to many veterans’ organizations. Mr. Abrams also published a 134-page book of his poetry, Diverse Verse.
John Krenicki, Jr. (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, ‘84), Vice Chairman of GE and President and CEO of GE Energy, was profiled in Fortune magazine for his success in transforming GE Energy into the largest industrial unit in the GE family since assuming the leadership role in 2005. The unit, which had 2011 revenues of approximately $45 billion, operates three divisions: GE Power & Water, GE Energy management, and GE Oil & Gas.
James Manship (B.S. Mechanical Engineering/Materials Engineering ’86), pastor at New Haven’s St. Rose Church, was named its “Person of the Year” by the New Haven Register. Rev. Manship was honored for his dedicated support of the poor and underserved citizens residing in his community, including his defense of the civil rights of undocumented immigrants. One of his successes revolved around mobilizing colleges and the community to provide financial support for young parishioners seeking to attend college.
John A. Rodolico (M.S. Civil Engineering, ‘76) was elected Mayor of Ledyard, CT. Prior to his swearing-in, he retired as a principal engineer from Electric Boat, where he worked for nearly 40 years, including 25 years in management. Mr. Rodolico served on the Town Council for six terms, including five years as its chairman.
Douglas A. Vaughan (B.S. Chemical Engineering, ’79) has been named Chief Financial Officer of Harlan Laboratories Inc., a leading contract research organization and research models and services company. Mr. Vaughan previously served as Vice President of Finance for Ingersoll Rand in the consumer products industry. Earlier in his career, he was chief financial officer for International Specialty Products; he also was employed for 14 years with Honeywell International (formerly AlliedSignal) in positions of increasing responsibility. Mr. Vaughan received his MBA from the University of Virginia and is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt.
Robert S. Yorgensen (B. Technology, Mechanical Engineering, ’85) was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of STR Holdings, Inc. effective January 1, 2012. He previously served as President of the company’s solar encapsulant business for 14 years, during which time annual revenue grew from $5 million to $259 million. During his career with STR, he has held a variety of positions, including Extruded Products Manager and Senior Technical Specialist of Materials RD&E and Specialty Manufacturing, Technical Specialist of Materials RD&E and Specialty Manufacturing and Project Leader of Development Engineering and Specialty Manufacturing.
Upcoming Alumni Events: Save the Dates
National Engineers Week (February 19-25) – various activities are planned. A highlight will be the February 21 presentation by alumnus and social media expert Shar Govindan (M.S. Env. Eng., ‘03), Director of Social Learning, Bentley Systems Inc. His guest lecture will take place from 3:30 – 4:30 pm in the Information Technologies (ITE) Building auditorium, C80.
BRIDGE Program reception (late February/early March) – alumni and current students will celebrate this exceptional program. Guest speaker and engineering alumnus Tilton Hughes (Mechanical Engineering ’73) will host the reception at the Storrs campus.
Atlanta Alumni Reception (March 27) – come meet and network with fellow UConn Engineering, Business and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences alumni along with representatives from Storrs! Hosted by alumnus Michael Cantor at the Cantor Colburn, LLP offices on 1180 Peachtree Street, NE.
Alumni Weekend (June 1-2) – to include a June 1 presentation, sponsored by the School of Engineering, by Ralph Bernstein entitled “Digital Image Processing of the Mona Lisa Painting.” Read about this exciting bit of detective work here.
