photos: U-M MEAM CPO / Shekinah Errington

Professor A. Galip Ulsoy leads a tour of the new Integrated Machining Systems Laboratory(IMSL) for EAB members.

M EAM's External Advisory Board (EAB) continued to give substantive input and support to the Department during 1997-98. At its Spring meeting, MEAM welcomed new Board members Bronce Henderson, chairman and chief executive officer of DCT, Inc., Detroit, Michigan, and Michael Korybalski (BSE ME '69, MSE '73, MBA '80), chairman and chief executive officer of Mechanical Dynamics, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan.

MEAM expressed its deep appreciation to Kenneth K. Kohrs, who stepped down this year as EAB Chair. Kohrs, the founding chair of the EAB since its inception in 1993, has provided invaluable guidance and support to MEAM. He is vice president of the Large and Luxury Car Vehicle Center for Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan. EAB member Eugene De Fouw (BSE ME '69), president of the De Fouw Corp., in Camas, WA, succeeds Kohrs as EAB Chair.

MEAM Moves Forward

As MEAM experienced many exciting accomplishments during the 1997-98 school year, it continued to plan for future growth and development. It undertook an extensive Departmental Review, including input from an Internal Self-Assessment Committee and an External Review Committee. Both committees--whose members Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineer-ing Stephen W. Director appointed--conducted interviews and surveys with faculty, staff, and students.

The Internal Self-Assessment Committee, comprised primarily of MEAM faculty, was formed in January 1998, and submitted an in-depth report of its findings and recommendations to the Dean and the CoE Executive Committee in June. The External Review Committee, which included representatives from other universities and industry, visited MEAM for two days in May 1998.

The Departmental Review coincided with the decision by MEAM Chair Panos Y. Papalambros not to continue as Chair for a third term. A MEAM Chair Search Committee was formed in December 1997. A new Chair is expected to be appoi nted by the Dean during the 1998-99 Academic Year.