Anne Everest Wojtkowski '56
Aeronautical Engineering

When Anne Everest (now Anne Everest Wojtkowski) entered the College of Engineering to study aeronautical engineering in the early 1950s, her arrival caused quite a stir. Anne was the first woman engineering student at the College, and the University was somewhat confused as to how she fit into the overall scheme of things.

When she thinks about what has changed for students since the time that she was studying engineering, Anne focuses on the changes in society. "The gender, racial, and societal status barriers of half a century ago are down to heights that can be leapt over by most," she says. "What may be most remarkable is what is the same for today's students. We still value integrity, ethics, morality, candor, kindness, compassion, high scholarship, and hard work."

Ronald H. Johnson '59
Aeronautical Engineering

Ronald Johnson entered the College of Industrial Technology in 1955 on a $150 per semester scholarship to study aeronautical design and propeller theory. "Jets were just being introduced commercially and Fortran was the computer language of choice," he recalls. "So we were on the forefront of computers, rocket science, and jet transportation as well."

Engineering students also had to study psychology, sociology, and economics. "The school decided they had to 'humanize' us engineers," he says. "I think most of us floundered there-maybe the higher-ups were correct!"
After graduating, Ronald worked for two small engineering companies in the Boston area, and then in 1968 he founded PhotoMetrics, Inc. with two partners. "We did research in high altitude physics, developed optical scanning instruments, and established three materials analysis laboratories-one in the Boston area, one in Connecticut, and one in California."

Ronald says he was the "bean counter" as his partners were a Ph.D. physicist and an optical engineer. "After that I was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and developing the analysis laboratory business. I think I made the right choice as I really enjoyed our 30-plus years doing what we did."

Ronald credits his time at BU with teaching him how to work effectively and solve problems. He also remembers the students who motivated him the most. When thinking of the Korean War veterans, he says, "I have never seen a more focused group of students. Some were married with children, and they had no time to play." Ronald lives in lives in Westford, Massachusetts, and is active the California lab.

Kathleen J. Bready (Pellegrino) '62
Engineering Management

Kathleen Pellegrino remembers how excited she was to be entering BU. "I wanted an educational situation that contrasted with my private Catholic grade and high school situation," she says. "I was looking for a large urban university-and I have always loved Boston." When she arrived she wasn't disappointed. "The University had a diverse student body, which was exciting," she says. "The constant availability of new ideas and perspectives created a need in me to search for the same during the rest of my life. There was an environment rich in intellectual and emotional debates. I knew even then that this was important for my development."

After graduating with a B.S. in engineering management, Kathleen went on to earn her M.B.A. at Western New England College. She herself became a professor at Westfield State College in Massachusetts, where she taught for 20 years.

Part of the founding board for the Women's Studies Program, she felt an "overwhelming desire to give a level playing field to women," she says. "I have always been interested in the diversity of political ideas as they emerge and believe that my interest stems from my experiences at BU."

Alfred S. Brothers Jr. '64
Aeronautical Engineering

With both a father and an uncle who graduated from Boston University, it was perhaps inevitable that Alfred Brothers chose to study aeronautical engineering at BU. "The program really appealed to me," he says.

After graduating from ENG in 1964, Alfred received a commission into the U.S. Air Force and entered pilot training. He flew B-52s, B-57s, and FB-111A aircraft from 1964 to 1982. He later went on to earn a Master's in Public Administration from Golden Gate University, a Master's in Personnel Management from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Century University.

Currently Al works at the Fort Wayne Raytheon Facility as a program manager of a research and development program. Al credits outstanding engineering courses and great professors in motivating him to become actively involved in the engineering profession.

As for the future, Al sees education without walls. "The Internet, educational TV, and other distance-learning course offerings will provide even greater access to excellent professors from colleges and universities all over the world... and access to more written materials and data sources. I completed my doctorate through distance learning with an advising team working with me. That team was multidisciplinary, and we used the Internet, telephone conference calls, faxes, and snail mail to communicate. I believe the education horizon is opening even further, including remote control of experiments with multiple team members from our own university and maybe others. The educational effort may include students in different locations and maybe different institutions. Universities are the backbone of the community at large and will provide the opportunity for more continuing education courses for both undergraduates and graduates near and far."

Roger M. McDowell '69
Aeronautical Engineering

"In high school, I was what is now called a nerd," explains Roger McDowell. "I was a certified aviation nut, and always have been—I got a commercial pilot's license right after high school."

When Roger entered the College of Engineering, he was working full time as a math technician at Sylvania in Waltham and Needham. He had a family and wanted to advance his education, and, of course, he wanted to study aeronautics. "Only BU offered a part-time program that was available nights," he says. Taking evening classes presented several challenges, and one particular evening stands out in his memory. "I remember the night of the Cuban Missile Crisis, sitting in an engineering class and wondering if there would be a world for me to go home to that night."

Roger says that even though he never applied the aeronautics professionally, he still benefited greatly from his education. "What I am most grateful for is that BU taught me to believe in the engineering discipline. Documentation is important. I applied engineering principles to the design, development, and management of what at that time was the 'art' of software development."

Today Roger is retired and living in an aviation community on Cape Cod where he flies his 1952 Cessna, which he keeps in a hangar/garage attached to his house.

Peggy Lundin '73
Systems Engineering

Early in her college search, Peggy Lundin decided that engineering would be a good way for her to study math without doing it at "too theoretical a level." She graduated in 1973 and later on went on to earn her M.B.A. from NYU.

Peggy recalls that her freshman year was a shock of tough courses but that her sophomore-year physics class was a watershed. "I remember sitting in that class doing optics and having the revelation that I could do this and could understand it." After graduating, Peggy worked in systems for about 10 years, and then worked as a broader business consultant at Touche Ross and later at Price Waterhouse.

Today Peggy works on data and systems analysis in support of the HR and payroll functions at the New York Metropolitan Opera. "This job is hog heaven for a systems analyst-everything is complicated, everything relates to everything else, and everything has two exceptions," she says. "Having been brought in to the Met as basically an in-house systems consultant, I approach everything with a new set of tools. This applies in spades to the activities of the payroll department—I am rethinking procedures and processes, and trying to put in place new mechanisms that will make life easier for the staff."

Peggy credits the College with preparing her for this career. "One of the things that I learned in ENG that has been the bedrock of my entire career is the conviction that, if I worked at it, I could understand how something works. Engineering training teaches that everything is understandable; everything is accessible, if you work at it long enough. That confidence is the most important tool I brought with me from school. There were lots of useful nuts and bolts pieces of information, but nothing else was as broad and powerful."

Gregory S. Baletsa '74
Biomedical and Systems Engineering

Currently in the venture-capital business, Gregory Baletsa graduated from the College of Engineering magna cum laude in 1974. He then went on to study engineering design at Tufts University and later earned an M.B.A. from Northeastern University.

Today Greg has melded the principals of engineering and business in Stata Venture Partners of Dover, Massachusetts, which is a private equity fund that invests in early-stage new-business opportunities across a wide array of technologies in semiconductors, telecommunications, enterprise software, and life sciences.

"I am comfortable with a broad range of technologies (semiconductors, software, lasers, printing, and plastics)," he says. Greg has industry experience in medical instrumentation, consumer electronics, enterprise software, and contract manufacturing.

Greg credits his time studying engineering as setting him on the path to success. "The College of Engineering gave me a good foundation on how to identify and solve problems," he says.

Sheila M. Hemeon-Heyer '81
Biomedical Engineering

Sheila M. Hemeon-Heyer didn't intend to study engineering. She started at BU as a journalism major but wasn't too keen on writing articles under pressure. Her roommate, however, was a biomedical engineering major, and Sheila became intrigued.

"I had always liked math and science," she says. "And I liked the idea of combining the technical skills with physiology-a subject I had loved in high school." Sheila has always been athletic, and so she was very interested in studying how the body moves. Additionally, her father was an electrical engineer, so she had been exposed to the discipline. Sheila ended up earning a Master's degree in Biomechanics from UMASS Amherst and later returned to school to earn her law degree from Western New England College.

Sheila found a great way to combine the various parts of her background into one exciting career. She currently is director of regulatory services for Medical Device Consultants, Inc., in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Of course, it is helpful that she worked for four years in the Office of Device Evaluation at the FDA.

Sheila helps manufacturers of medical devices figure out what regulations apply to their device, what type of application they will need to submit, and what type of testing and documentation will be required for their product. Due to her history at the agency, she also acts as a liaison to the FDA.

"I like this kind of work because I get to work with a variety of clients, as well as a variety of new technologies," she says. "Plus the flexibility allows me enough time to spend with my family."

Elissa L. Edelstein Warner '83
Electrical Engineering

Elissa L. Edelstein Warner came to BU as one of the first participants in the Late Entry Accelerated Program, which allowed people with undergraduate degrees in nonengineering fields to earn an M.S. degree in engineering.

After graduating, Elissa became interested in analog hardware design and worked at Raytheon's Submarine Signal Division. "I was the only female in hardware design," she says. "Fortunately, the junior designers did a lot, and I learned quite a bit there, with many experienced analog designers to guide me." She then went on to work at Analog Devices and eventually started her own company.

Elissa had been working on an idea for voice input to the computer for some time and decided to start her own company based on what would be the first product using the technology, which she patented. The technology dealt with the computer user's voice controlling the graphics and storyline on the screen based on the volume and intonation of the user's voice. In 1992, she founded InterACTics and today this technology is being sold by Laureate Learning Systems under the name TalkTime with Tucker, which is used by kids with various disabilities.

"My company was lots of fun to start. I met my husband, Bill Warner, through my company. We talked about inventions, toy inventions, all sorts of inventions and had such a good time we decided to get married. We have one son, Lucas who is now seven and in first grade. He reboots my computer and tells me not to touch his computer because I'll break it!"

John J. Tegan III '88
Manufacturing Engineering

When you turn on your TV or open an e-mail, there is a chance that you might be making use of John Tegan's company, Communication Technology Services, LLC. CTS is a provider of voice, video, and high-speed data solutions to large telecommunication companies across the United States. Founded in 1990, the company is based in Northborough, Massachusetts, and services clients in 11 states. CTS services such distinguished companies as Sun Microsystems, IBM, Lockheed Martin, General Electric, and Fleet Bank.

John graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering and is-and always has been-an active and valued alumni of the College of Engineering and Boston University.
Living and working in Northborough, John became a founding member of the Dean' Society. This society was founded in 2001 to recognize donors who provide significant annual gifts to the College and to acknowledge outstanding alumni whose accomplishments bring honor to their alma mater through professional practice and public service.

In the fall of 2002, John was awarded the College of Engineering Service to Profession Alumni Award. This award is given annually to two alumni who have significantly contributed to the profession of engineering.

Ezra D. Kucharz '90
Biomedical Engineering

Ezra D. Kucharz entered Boston University in 1986 because it offered a "great city, a great school, and the top undergraduate biomedical engineering program in country," he says.

"A city environment was what I was looking for. You basically had the best of being on a college campus as well as being in one of the best cities in the world." Ezra made the most of the campus. "I tried to diversify my curriculum as much as possible. I literally took classes in every major building on campus."

Immediately after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering, Ezra went into the Army. Later he went on to earn a Master of Science degree from Duke University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Houston.

Throughout his varied educational experiences, Ezra has two memories that stand out in his mind, one good and one not so good.

Ezra says that the Biomedical Engineering Senior Project was the best class he has ever taken. "Professor Lutchen's senior project program taught me more that has helped me in my career than any other course I have taken at any level."

Another professor, however, questioned whether Ezra should keep working toward becoming an engineer. The challenge taught Ezra an important lesson. "This professor taught me one very important thing, only you will look out for you," he says. "Three years later I ended up winning the top Biomedical Engineer Senior Project Award. Over the next half decade I would work at the NASA/Johnson Space Center and earn two masters degrees in engineering. But maybe he was right: I have been an executive in the sports marketing and media industry for the last decade."

He imagines that today's students are having a different experience than he had. "Biomedical Engineering now is heavily dependent on software systems," he says. "Today's students have to deal with many more distractions," he adds.

Still in sports marketing, Ezra worked at Total Sports for six years and is now the Managing Director of Advanced Media for the United States Tennis Association (US TA). The group's mission is to promote tennis both as a professional sport through tournaments and to promote tennis "as a means of healthful recreation and physical fitness."

Boston University has broken ground on the new Life Sciences and Engineering (LSE) Building. Slated for completion in 2005, LSE will occupy the former location of the Nickelodeon theater on Cummington Street. The state-of-the-art research building will house portions of the College's Department of Biomedical Engineering as well as the departments of Biology, Chemistry, and the interdisciplinary Bioinformatics Program.

A university, however, is much more than just buildings. Alumni support is necessary to maintain and increase the quality of our faculty, students, facilities, and the overall educational experience. As an example, the first Excellence in Engineering Alumni Scholarship, endowed and funded completely by alumni donations and selected by our Alumni Board, will be awarded this May. This is only one example of where alumni are making a difference at the College of Engineering.

If you would like to learn more about how you can support the College, please e-mail us at engalum@bu.edu or call Steve Witkowski, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, at 617-358-0608.

In one of its most ambitious building projects since the construction of the Charles River Campus in the 1930s, BU is developing a new Student Village-a 10-acre hub of activity designed to be the thriving center of student life at a revitalized and more unified campus. Featuring state-of-the-art fitness, athletic, recreational, and entertainment facilities, as well as elegant high-rise residences for students, the Village will draw together people from the campus, the community, the city of Boston, and beyond.

Located on the former site of the old National Guard Armory on Commonwealth Avenue, the Student Village will merge the east and west ends of campus. In addition to forging a physical link, the facilities of the Village will provide a rich array of opportunities to bring together students, faculty, alumni, and others through a range of athletic events, fitness programs, University events such as Homecoming and Commencement, academic and professional conferences, intramural sports, social gatherings, concerts, and cultural events. Construction is well under way. (Left) A photo of the construction of the Harry Agganis Arena. Agganis (SED'54) was a BU football and baseball star who played for the Boston Red Sox. He died of a pulmonary embolism in 1955 at the age of 26.