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Executive Board (98-00)
Chair Kevin Davis (616) 629-5280 kevin.davis@wmich.edu
Vice-Chair Ron Fredricks (616)791-9134 ron_fredricks@ieee.org
Secretary Joe Melton (616) 956-7516 j.s.melton@ieee.org
Treasurer Hossein Mousavinezhad (616) 387-4057 h.mousavinezhad@wmich.edu
Professional Activities Chair Elaine VanBelleghem (616) 624-1640 m.elaine.vanbelleghem@am.pnu.com
Student Activities Chair John Mason (616) 387-4064 john.mason@wmich.edu
Newsletter Editor Damon Miller (616) 387-4060 d.a.miller@ieee.org FAX: (616) 387-4096
Awards and Recognition Ray Reed (616) 375-9873
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ECE SEMINARS
These speakers will conduct seminars at Western Michigan University (Kohrman Hall, room 3002, 4:00 p.m). Fliers for each talk will be provided at least one week before the scheduled date on the section’s web site at http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r4/west_michigan/calendar.html. For additional information contact Hossein Mousavinezhad or John Gesink (616-387-4058).
January 27: Professor Joe Kelemen Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering WMU
February 24: Mr. Mike Illikainen Smiths Industries
March 31: Mr. Jason Joseph Ernst & Young
are we like dilbert? ---- a presentation
Dilbert is a lovable stereotype of an engineer in a wacky work environment. The cartoon is fun to read and sometimes relate to. But how much should we relate to Dilbert? We are not self-centered, lonely geeks, isolated from society. As professionals, we are knowledgeable in our fields and our contributions help make the world a better place. Many of us are active outside our careers.
Why then, does the world think we all drive trains….?
The Engineer’s public image needs improvement. Engineering must become more visible to the public eye and each of us can help improve that visibility.
Elaine VanBelleghem, the WMS IEEE PACE Chairperson and a computer systems analyst at Pharmacia & Upjohn, attended the 1998 Professional Activities Conference in Phoenix and has brought back many ideas and tools to help engineers improve their professional and career development. She will present these ideas to us on Thursday, March 18, 1999 (tentatively 7PM) at WMU in Kohrman Hall. Watch the WEB site for details.
Maybe even Dilbert could learn a thing or two.
*****engineer’s week is coming!*****
It’s that time of year again. William L. Mitchell, P.E., will discuss "Transitioning to Fuel Cell Powered Vehicles in the New Millennium" at the Twentieth Annual Engineers Week Dinner (Tuesday, February 23, 1999 at the WMU Bernhard Center). See the enclosed flier. Make your reservations today (deadline February 17)!
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april meeting features a presentation on amateur packet radio networks
WMS IEEE member Mr. Dave Devos, an applications field engineer for Square D and radio amateur operator KF8QL, has agreed to give his excellent slide show and live demonstration talk on Amateur Packet Radio Networks to the Section this April. The presentation will be held on Wednesday April 21, 1999 starting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting location will be in the lower level training room of the Grand Rapids Red Cross building, 1050 Fuller N.E. (east side of Fuller, north of I-196 and just south of Leonard, park in back). Packet radio networks and the AX.25 protocol will be discussed showing how the radio amateur community has successfully adopted a simplified form of the ISO model to allow practical virtual connection and connectionless digital communications over HF, VHF and UHF amateur radio circuits. As a digipeater node is located at the Red Cross, actual connections will be demonstrated using the 2-meter ham band. The talk and demo should take about an hour. Following that a short tour of the Grand Rapids Amateur Radio Associations communications room will be conducted showing off not only the packet station there but the UHF and VHF FM repeater equipment and the UHF Television repeater station also located at the Red Cross. Dave will be assisted by Section Vice-chairman Ron Fredricks, K8DMR, in the presentation and demonstrations. There will be an optional dinner get-together beforehand at 6 p.m. nearby. The exact location is not yet determined. Contact Ron at 616-791-9134 (or ron_fredricks@ieee.org) for exact dinner location and reservations by Friday, April 16. You may also want to check the Section’s WEB page around April 1st for further details. --- Ron Fredricks
Chairman’s Column:
Many of our members have strong concerns about moving the WMU engineering building to Battle Creek. I sent this message to WMU President Dr. Elson Floyd to convey this concern:
Dear Dr. Floyd:
The West Michigan Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers has over 700 members. WMU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department has for decades been the cornerstone of our section. A move from Kalamazoo to Battle Creek will likely hurt participation in our and other engineering society activities—especially with respect to our Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland, Benton Harbor and Saint Joseph members and board members.
I can recognize the attraction of new facilities and equipment being subsidized as a result of competition between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. If located in Calhoun County I doubt the benefits will offset the negative consequences for the ECE Department. In addition to the impact on the relationship with area professional societies and ECE faculty I believe that the following issues need to be considered in assessing the impact on the ECE Department:
[See http://www/ewh.ieee.org/r4/west_michigan/WMU_ECE_move.txt for the detailed list]
Sincerely
,Kevin Davis, Chair, West Michigan Section Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
