Latest news with #Rose-Hulman
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Rose-Hulman faculty, staff lauded for outstanding teaching, scholarship and service
Three Rose-Hulman Institute faculty and staff have been recognized for their efforts in fulfilling hallmarks of the institute's educational mission: personal attention, dedication to student success and quality service, according to a campus news release. Daniel Chang, associate professor of electrical & computer engineering, received the dean's Outstanding Teacher Award, while Tim Grose, associate professor of China Studies, was presented with the Board of Trustees' Outstanding Scholar Award. Dale Long, director of media relations and executive editor of Echoes, earned the President's Outstanding Service Award. Employed at Rose-Hulman for 37 years, he is retiring at the end of June. The trio were recognized at this year's pre-commencement awards May 29 in Hatfield Hall and again Saturday during Rose-Hulman's 147th commencement. Each award winner consistently has received accolades and appreciation from campus community members, and their respective presenters acknowledged their contributions in making Rose-Hulman "a remarkable place for the world's best undergraduate science, engineering, and mathematics education in an atmosphere of individual attention and support," according to the news release. Chang, who teaches a range of courses from Introduction to Digital Systems to Advanced Computer Architecture, has been praised by students for his ability to clearly explain complex technical material through engaging storytelling, humor, and an inclusive classroom environment. Known for his 'never off-topic' policy that encourages genuine curiosity, Chang structures his courses with intention, clarity, and enthusiasm. Students consistently describe his teaching style as 'incredibly enthusiastic,' 'genuine,' and 'fun,' often noting that his own passion for teaching helps them find joy in learning even the most challenging concepts. Grose was recognized for his consistent and high-impact scholarship in the field of China Studies, with a particular focus on the Uyghur ethnic minority and issues of identity, policy, and repression within China. His widely cited 2019 book, 'Negotiating Inseparability in China: The Xinjiang Class and the Dynamics of Uyghur Ethno-National Identity,' received the Central Eurasian Studies Society Book Prize in the Social Sciences. A second book, 'Settling Xinjiang: China's Colonial Project,' is currently under review by University of Washington Press. For 37 years, Long has celebrated the people and progress of Rose-Hulman, documenting student triumphs, faculty achievements, and alumni legacies on campus and across the country.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Terre Haute graduate honored during Rose-Hulman commencement
Alisha Mastakar of Terre Haute was among Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates to receive special honors during commencement ceremonies Saturday. Mastakar, a nanoengineering and optical engineering graduate, received the Herman A. Moench Distinguished Senior Commendation for distinguishing herself as a commendable influence on members of the Rose-Hulman community. Mastakar, who earned summa cum laude academic graduation honors, was a Noblitt Scholar and served the campus community and Indiana in a variety of ways. Mastakar's post-graduation plans include pursuing a doctorate degree at Rochester Institute of Technology. Computer engineering graduate Vineet Ranade, of Mountain View, Calif., received the John T. Royse Award for being considered the most outstanding graduate, in the opinion of Rose-Hulman's faculty and staff, based upon academic achievement, student leadership, participation in co-curricular activities, and general campus citizenship. Ranade embodied all aspects of the Royse Award —academic achievement, student leadership, participation in co-curricular activities, and general campus citizenship —while finding success in everything he did while attending Rose-Hulman, said Erik Hayes, vice president of student affairs and dean of students. In addition, a record 15 students earned Heminway Gold Medals for attaining the highest academic achievement (4.0 grade-point average) during their Rose-Hulman careers. Ranade was engaged in several different research opportunities, which included evolvable hardware and investigating the merits of social networking for Bangladeshi farmers. Outside of the classroom, he excelled as a student-athlete, twice qualifying for the NCAA Division III swimming and division championships, winning multiple Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference swimming event titles and establishing numerous school and conference records. Joining Ranade as this year's Heminway Gold Medal recipients were Salik Ahmad, Kyle Asbury, Ariadna Duvall, Calvin Hamilton, Natalie Hannum, Kaylee Lane, Benjamin Lyons, Henry Nunns, Justin Roberts, Joshua Schrock, Mark Serdinak, Ellen Shales, Blaise Swartwood, and Isaac Towne.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Special Olympics Indiana's Summer Games begin in Terre Haute
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Thousands of athletes, volunteers, and supporters from around the state of Indiana are in Terre Haute this weekend for Special Olympics Indiana's biggest event of the year. Athlete Hunter Canada said the feeling is amazing. 'It's pretty entertaining and fun just being out there with all the other people competing', Canada said. 'I'm wishing everybody good luck.' Athletes compete in a number of different events like swimming on the campus of Rose-Hulman and volleyball, track and field, and pickleball at Indiana State. One duo from Jackson County, AJ Engel and Hunter Canada, claimed the top two spots in their 800-meter race. 'I was expecting him to pass me at the end, but we were expecting to get first and second', Canada said. 'It feels good to take first and second', Engel said. 'The runners were good competition.' Some athletes have been competing for their entire lives. 'I've done this for as long as I remember', Engel said. 'I've run track in middle school and high school. I just really feel like Special Olympics is good.' Other, like Madison Carter, have chosen the volunteer route. 'I've actually been doing this for eight years now', Carter said. 'I started out in high school doing Best Buddies, unified track, peer tutoring, you name it, I've probably done it. Then I've been in volleyball since I was nine years old, so I reached out to somebody here at Special Olympics. I started as a volunteer, then became a part of the management team, and now I'm the manager of it all.' All involved agree the best part about the event is coming together. 'The camaraderie and building those relationships throughout the entire experience here is like no other', Carter said. 'I've seen people since I started eight years ago, all the way to new people this year. I think those relationships are like no other.' Events will continue in Terre Haute and on the campuses of Indiana State and Rose-Hulman through the weekend. All events are open to the public at no cost. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New member joins Rose-Hulman Board of Trustees
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Cynthia Thomas Kalkomey has been announced as the newest board member at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Kalkomey has actually been working as a member of the board since the board's winter meeting. Her connection to the university goes back a generation, with it being her father's alma mater. Her father, Charles Thomas, was a native of Clinton, Indiana, who graduated with high honors in electrical engineering from the school in 1943 when it was known as Rose Polytechnic Institute. Thomas went on to have a distinguished 28-year career with Texas Instruments' defense systems division. In 2023, Kalkomey and her husband honored Thomas' legacy by making a $500,000 gift to the university to establish a scholarship fund. 'Cindy's commitment to Rose-Hulman and our mission of helping students achieve their goals in STEM fields is deeply personal,' said Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons. 'We look forward to her insights and leadership as a trustee.' Kalkomey brings with her a doctorate in statistics from Southern Methodist University, as well as a master's and bachelor's degree in mathematics and statistics from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas, to the role. This makes her a well-suited member as a supporter of STEM. Kalkomey began her career as a geostatistician for Mobil Oil's research lab, where she specialized in reservoir characterization and reserves assessment. She also taught technical short courses to Mobil affiliates around the world. In 1995, Kalkomey and her husband co-founded Kalkomey Enterprises, a Dallas-based company that developed online courses and printed materials for boating, hunting, bowhunting, ATV, and snowmobile certification in partnership with state agencies. they sold a majority interest in 2015, but Kalkomey served on the board for several years after. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Students impress at this year's Rose Show
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Rose-Hulman is a top ranked engineering school in the U.S. and at the end of every year, students get to show off innovative projects that they've been working on at the Rose Show. This year's Rose Show featured over 130 student projects, representing nearly every academic department. Rose-Hulman President Rob Coons said these projects will make an impact in the real world. 'It's really kind of Rose-Hulman's modern version of the world's fair', Coons said. 'The idea is that students have senior design and capstone projects that they've been working on, generally with a client. This creates an opportunity for them to actually present their project and show how it works.' One group of students, including senior Emily Buchta, built a stream table for kids that will be used at the Montessori Academy in Terre Haute. 'It's durable, so it's a lot lower so that children can interact with it', Buchta said. 'We have different handles and things that children can grab on to, it's very sturdy. We also created these side panels in it that children can look in. You can see erosion happening, you can see deposition, landforms, waterforms. We have four different educational packs that we have created, so as the child goes through the Montessori method, they can do different things with the stream table.' Another group, with senior Jake Gibbs, worked with the City of Terre Haute to plan out engineering solutions in a local neigborhood. 'It's called Terre Town, up in northern Terre Haute', Gibbs said. 'It was a project that was assigned to us by our professors, but it's a neighborhood that is in great need here in Terre Haute. They are having issues with cracking in their pavement. They also have undersized roads, a lack of any walkable paths in the neighborhood, and ponding issues.' Years down the road, students are hoping to see their projects still being used. 'Coming back as an alumni, especially during homecoming, and seeing this stream table still running and that our clients are still using it to teach these kids about stem topics that I really love', Buchta said. 'It just means so much to me and so much to my team. We've put in so much work just to make this product, not only a good product, but something that is built for this academy that these children can use and love for years to come.' The Rose Show is the last big project for seniors, as most plan to give their work to their collaborating organization next week, before walking the stage at commencement on May 31st. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
