Melissa Saltzman, an April 2007 graduate of the IME Engineering Management Technology (UEM) program with a minor in Integrated Supply Management, was the IME choice as the 2007 WMU Presidential Scholar and as the 2007 CEAS Dean’s Scholar.
As a Presidential Scholar, Saltzman, who earned a 3.95 GPA, achieved the highest academic honor that can be attained by a WMU student. She is the top 2007 graduating scholar of the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department. “I appreciate the support and encouragement I received from my professors, classmates, and most importantly, my family,” she said.
The Presidential award was presented at the 27th Annual Presidential Scholars Convocation, hosted by WMU Provost Janet Pisaneschi, and the Dean’s award was given at a special luncheon given by CEAS Dean Tim Greene.
For each event, Saltzman selected IME’s Dr. David Lyth as the most supportive faculty member and her choice to celebrate with her.
Saltzman has been an intern at Summit Polymers Engineering since 2005. “Being an intern has helped teach me a lot about the engineering world,” she said. “I feel that experiencing first-hand the fast-paced, high-quality demands of the auto industry has really helped me appreciate the knowledge I’m gaining from school.”
At the 27th Annual Presidential Scholars Convocation (left to right) IME professor David Lyth, Provost Janet Pisaneschi, IME Presidential Scholar Melissa Saltzman, and Faculty Senator John Jellies
For her senior design project, Saltzman and her team mates, Zachary Armstrong and Andrew Nowak, worked on designing a feasibility analysis of mobile incineration to process certain kinds of medical waste in the state of Michigan. Mobile Incinerator New Venture Analysis was presented on April 17 at the Senior Engineering Design Conference held at the Parkview Campus.
A Lee Honors College member from 2003 to 2005, Saltzman also belongs to many honor societies. Her scholarships include the MEAP, Heart of Cook, WMU Academic, George R. Kohrman, and Engineering Week, and she also won the Fall 2006 IEEE Writing Contest. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers, and she has volunteered as a Glad-Peach Fest Children’s Day Game Designer since 2000.
Saltzman’s future plans include continuing her education at WMU in pursuit of a master’s in engineering management technology with a possible focus on supply chain and perhaps a Ph.D. in operations. “The prospect of being able to help generate plans that will lead to savings in not only time and money, but also precious resources and energy really excites me,” she said. “I look forward to being able to apply what I learn in school to the real world.”
Saltzman would like to remain in Southwest Michigan. “Someday I may also want to consider becoming a college professor,” she said. “I’d like to encourage girls to get involved in the sciences.”
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