Five Inducted into 2007 Alumni Excellence Academy

Kalamazoo’s Park Club was the setting for the inauguration ceremony of five new members inducted into the 2007 Alumni Excellence Academy last month. WMU President John Dunn joined the CEAS Executive Committee and CEAS Dean Tim Greene in honoring the recipients, who have impressive credentials.

Dr. Nick Triantafillopoulos (BSE `81 and MS `85, Paper Engineering), Director of Technology for Performance Chemicals at OMNOVA Solutions, Inc. and one of the company’s two Fellows, also serves on the OMNOVA Foundation board – which distributes $1.1 million annually in education grants, and the TAPPI Coating and Graphic Arts Steering Council.

A world recognized expert in coating process technologies and rheology, Triantafillopoulos has won OMNOVA’s Eagle of Excellence chairman’s award. An author of numerous books and papers, he selected WMU for its paper science and engineering program.

Rod Smith (MS `81, Computer Science), an IBM Fellow and Vice President of Internet Emerging Technologies, IBM Software Group, is a recognized technical leader in the industry. His team’s techno­logical innovations and cross-industry collaborations have enabled the rapid adoption of technologies such as Web Services, XML, Linux, Java and most recently, Ajax and Do-it-yourself application platforms.

Smith enjoys a sustained record of achievements in the software business with his ability to identify key emerging technologies. Companies that have sought his expertise include O’Reilly, JP Morgan Chase, Disney, Reuters, CNN/Turner, AMEX, and Lockheed Martin. Smith has earned many awards including IBM’s Thomas J. Watson, Jr. Design Excellence Award.

Dr. Arvon (Arv) Byle (BS `61 and MS `63, Industrial Education), a WMU professor in the Department of Paper and Printing Science and Engineering, retired in 1996. In addition to teaching, he had served as department chair for eight years. An expert in rotogravure and flexographic packaging and publication printing, he served on many committees, provided consulting services, traveled abroad as an industry/education advocate, and served students in various capacities.

Byle loved classroom teaching. He also recruited students nationally for WMU. In 1995, he won WMU’s Distinguished Service Award, and when he retired, a Medallion Scholarship was awarded in his name.

Fred Lawrence (BS `70, Electrical Engineering), a venture partner for Shepherd Ventures and California Capital, the chair of Silicon Systems and Ceyx Technologies, and the director for Avaax, is a member

of the Board of Directors for the San Diego State University Business School and the Florida Council of 100. He started his career telecommunications at AT&T, where he worked while attending college.

Lawrence has also served as CEO, Sprint’s Florida Telephone Operations; president, Transmission Group of ADC Telecommunications; CEO, ComStream; and CEO, Adaptive Broadband Corp.

Curt Shaneour (BS `59, Aviation Maintenance), president/CEO of the Shane Group in Hillsdale, MI, is a charter member of the Presidents’ Forum for the Center for Entrepreneurship at Eastern Michigan University. The four-year US Air Force veteran is presently president of the Hillsdale County Industrial Development Commission and the former mayor of Hillsdale.

Shaneour has been recognized by Omicron Delta Kappa (academic and leadership fraternity) and the State of Michigan Legislature and has won the Hillsdale Community Service Award and the Hillsdale College “Charger Award.” His charitable interests include the Hillsdale Junior Achievement and the Hillsdale Chamber of Commerce.

The Alumni Excellence winners were selected by the CEAS Executive Committee from nominations submitted by alumni, administrators, and faculty. More information on the awards and the 2008 nominations is available at http://www.wmich.edu/engineer/alumni.htm

** CEAS finance analyst Laura Decker prepared the induction ceremony program used for information featured in this e-News.