College of Engineering

Marching Band 2009

Civil engineering student Martin Brosnan plays trumpet in the WSU marching band. (Photo by Alonso del Arte)

by Derrick Bean
COE Public Affairs Writer

Engineering freshman Nigil Valikodath (undecided; leaning toward biomedical engineering) and sophomore Martin Brosnan (civil engineering) are breathing life back into Wayne State University’s resurrected marching band.

It has been about 20 years since the last time a Wayne State marching band made the Tom Adams Field their stomping ground. But things are changing and it all started during the homecoming game on Oct. 3 when the band rose from the dead.

“I am so glad that there is a band,” says 18-year-old bass drum player, Valikodath. “Of course, it’s my freshman year, so the fact that it is resurrected does not mean much to me. But I appreciate that people made the effort to bring the band back.”

Brosnan, 19, says the marching band will give a boost to school spirit. “It helps with bringing people down to the football games and everything,” he says. “It helps out with school spirit. It almost seems wrong if you go to a football game and there’s no marching band. The halftime show isn’t the same with music being played over the P.A. system.”

Music lecturer and band director Janet Wright-McCaskill is leading the way. “Bringing back the Warrior Band revisits a lost venue for school spirit and pride,” says Wright-McCaskill, the adamant and determined ring leader who was hired this past summer to revive the former world-renowned band. “It also provides a great outlet for students who want to continue to play their instruments, but don't want to become a music major or music minor. I want students to have opportunities to become involved in their collegiate community and the Warrior Band provides those situations.”

But the band isn’t back to its normal self just yet. In a short time, about 50 would-be band members had to put in long hours behind the scenes to make rehearsals a reality.

Brosnan says students only needed to show interest and have some skill with a musical instrument. “Because it was the first year, we didn’t have any cuts or tryouts or anything because we needed people,” he says. “You have to know how to play the instruments and actually show up to every rehearsal.”

Experience certainly helps though. Valikodath and Brosnan, a trumpeter, have been involved in playing instruments most of their lives. “I’ve done some type of band since fourth grade,” says Valikodath. “I love playing instruments.”

Brosnan played in his high school pep band, but has been playing music since a child. He says there’s a link between playing music and studying. “I’ve been a musician since I was 4 years old, and I do think there’s a connection between playing in a band and doing well in school,” Brosnan says of the discipline needed to succeed in each path. “Learning to play an instrument does really help with being able to do well in class.”

Valikodath says his studies allow him to think outside the box because “engineering brings my creative side to the marching band.” For instance, he says, “We had to think of a way to harness the bass drums, and we had to figure out how to assemble the other harnesses that were sent in. Also, when we have to modify or make up our own cadences -the drumline’s own parading music played in between the normal band songs- I think of it as making something from the limited resources. I think of it as engineering a song.”

Wright-McCaskill says some students brought their own instruments while they wait for new ones purchased by the university to arrive.. “Some instruments should arrive by the end of the semester, and some will arrive throughout the next several months,” she says.

The road to the football field was tough. “I didn't have an instrument for the pre-game, but I did for the stands,” says Valikodath. “The bass drum did not have a harness to hold it up, and so I could only play in the stands. I think bringing it to the stands was the difficulty I had to overcome.”

Brosnan used his own trumpet he has had since high school. Considering all the challenges that arose leading up to the big game, he says he is proud of the marching band’s performance, and that the hard work paid off. “One of the biggest difficulties is most marching bands start in the summer with a camp, work with techniques, pass out music, get to know stuff,” says Brosnan. “We had so many conflicts with people working and classes that we had to learn all the music on our own or outside of rehearsal. We basically had to do everything on an accelerated timescale. That’s why we haven’t done anything complex yet. But that’s pretty impressive.”

At the game, the band played the WSU alma mater, a version of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” and the national anthem. “They sound great,” a proud Wright-McCaskill says.

Fortunately, everything ended on a good note – including the game. “It was awesome,” says Brosnan. “I never played football. I love watching football games. Being a fan watching the football games is great. But being a part of the game (whether you’re a cheerleader or in the band, a commentator or a player on the field) is just another level. Knowing that you’re a part of what those people are going to watch is just amazing. The game was just amazing – probably one of the best days I’ve had since I started college.”

“A marching band makes the fans and maybe even the players get more into the game,” Valikodath says. “I think we are one of the many reasons we won at homecoming.”

There are a couple of immediate goals Wright-McCaskill is planning to achieve. “We hope to push 100 members within the next year,” she says. “We will also continue to expand our pregame show, add more stands selections and add several half-time shows next season. We will have a band camp before next school year where everyone will audition for part-assignments. Additionally, throughout the summer, I hope to have several mini-camps for percussion, auxiliary and leadership. It will be a very busy time.”

In the meantime, Wright-McCaskill says the Warrior Band will keep playing. “Come check us out at a basketball game,” she says.

Interview with a Digg.com Software Engineer Kurt Wilms

Liying Zhang mTBI research award

Alternative Energy Research

2009 International Conference on Energy and Environment

Global Human Body Model Consortium

Battery and Electric Vehicle Grant

Advanced Battery Systems for Hybrid Electric Vehicles Course

Sustainable Engineering Certificate Program

Professor Yinlun Huang Awarded Green Chemistry Governor�s Award

Helios Trail: Still a Trailblazer 20 Years Later

The "Helios Trail" in its new position in front of the Engineering Development Center and artist Bruce White.

by Derrick Bean
COE Public Affairs Writer

In 1989, sculptor Bruce White, then a professor at Northern Illinois University School of Art, created what has become the symbol of the College of Engineering with a sculpture named the “Helios Trail.”

White, 76, says the sculpture and its title were inspired by Greek mythology. “I was trying to do something that expressed the mission of the college…something going for the future. And, you know, the myth of the Helios leaving a trail – the sun god left a trail of light across the sky. I wanted something shooting into space, which seemed perfect space age.”

The sculpture was installed on Sept. 22, 1989. It was intended to express the spirit of the college, and it looks livelier than ever in its new location. The 40-foot tall stainless steel monument was removed from its base in the engineering building’s secluded courtyard in 2007 in preparation for construction of the Marvin I. Danto Engineering Development Center. It has since found a new home, as well as a new life, in front of the new Danto Center.

“I think it’s wonderful that they moved it,” says White. “That one wall with the curvature; it fits in very well. I’m very pleased with where it’s located now. It has a nice, symbolic feeling to it.”

Speaking from his studio in Dekalb, Ill., the same industrial warehouse where the figure was sculpted two decades ago, White recalls how he won the College of Engineering’s national contest. After submitting his idea, White’s small metal sculpture model made it to the final four where it won over the judges.

With planning included, the Helios took six months to craft, he says. It was constructed, laid out and welded on the floor of his warehouse. Upon completion, it was lifted onto a flatbed truck, carried to Detroit, lifted across the building and planted by a large crane onto its base in the engineering courtyard.

White likens the process behind his creation to that of an engineering student bringing a new design to life. “Much like any engineering project, it started with an idea and a sketch. But, of course, you have to make changes to make sure that it’s feasible to build and within the budget,” White says without revealing his commission for the project as he wants the costs to remain private.

His intentions are to make people connect with his sculptures. “A lot of my art is emotion,” says White. “You feel the idea through the form. The sculpture expresses shooting into space, reaching for the sky.”

The courtyard is gone, but the sculpture is back with all of its symbolism intact. It has inspired the logo atop every official document or material relating to the College of Engineering for much of the past 20 years.

“It’s very exciting when an idea takes form – a visual signature rather than a written signature,” says White. “It becomes a symbol of an idea...a unique expression.”

During his 20-year tenure as a professor at Northern Illinois University, White was more than happy to share his experiences. “If students were interested, I would hire them to work for me," he says. “Many of them have gone on to make a name for themselves, and now they’re my colleagues – my competition.”

About eight years ago, White traded in his teaching responsibilities for more time to concentrate on his sculpture.

White says retirement is not on his radar: “I just keep working. Right now, I’m working on a piece for Miami, Florida. I’m in very good health. I’m going to keep going until I can’t anymore physically. Many great artists worked until they couldn’t do it any longer physically.”

Several years ago while on vacation, Brian Geraghty, MSME’72, noticed that a 2002 White sculpture named “Fire Monument” in Jacksonville, Fla. bore a striking resemblance to the Helios Trail. Both sculptures are metal, spear-like in form with three sides, leaning toward the sky, and gradually taper to a point at its apex.

When asked about the two similar looking pieces, White says he wouldn’t re-create any piece. In both of these cases he chose to put the sculptures on an angle as opposed to a typical straight-up-and-down piece, he says. “I like the upward lean idea which gives them both a kind of energy,” he adds. “I just like that effect instead of a static vertical look – like a body in action."

In “Helios” the jagged edge continues the full length, diminishing upward like the trail a modern jet leaves in the sky. In the Jacksonville “Monument” the jagged edges surround the lower portion of the primary form which then appears to break through and shoot upward, indicating the emergence of the new city rising from the ashes of the old.”

White’s body of work is quite extensive and varied. He says he does not have a favorite among his many sculptures (nearly 60 of which are featured on his website: www.brucewhitesculpture.com). “I don't really rank them. I never think in those terms. I never think that one is my favorite. I just look forward to the next challenge and hope to surprise myself.”

Top row: White's 2002 "Fire Monument" (Jacksonville, Fla.); bottom row: White's 2003 "Canopy" (Wilmette, Illinois) and 1994 "Gridlock" (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wis.)

WSU Stress Management Workshop

Stress is part of college life. This workshop will examine different strategies used to decrease stress and help participants choose ways to better manage stress in their lives. Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:00am - 12:00pm - If you are interested, please call 313-577-3398. More information is available at the WSU counseling and Psychological services website at http://www.caps.wayne.edu.

Escalate Unlimited Horizons Event

Homecoming King 2009

2009 Homecoming King Luke Mackewich with WSU mascot "W."

by Derrick Bean
COE Public Affairs Writer

Luke Mackewich, a civil and environmental engineering senior, is happy to be your 2009 Homecoming King.

“I'm pretty excited about it,” says Mackewich. “I wasn't quite sure if I was going to win, so I'm pretty excited. It was kind of cool.”

Mackewich says he never aspired to be homecoming king. Rather, he was convinced to run by people close to him. “One of my friends actually won homecoming queen last year. And she tried to convince me, and a couple of my brothers said I should do it. They figured I knew a lot of people, so I had a decent shot.”

Not only did Mackewich have the backing of friends and loved ones, he also had a great marketing campaign. If he looks familiar, that’s because you may have seen his flyers posted around campus prior to the homecoming game, Saturday, Oct. 3.

“I actually had one of my friends come up with the idea,” Mackewich says about the flyers showing a caricature of his face. “I think it helped quite a bit. I plastered it everywhere.”

Mackewich describes the process: After you nominate yourself, an online election is held to choose the top five male and female candidates. Then, an interview is conducted by a panel of faculty, staff, and alumni. Finally, a selection is made based on five defining categories -- campus involvement, academic excellence, WSU spirit, leadership, and community involvement -- according to the 2009 Homecoming Court Rules.

Mackewich is the real deal. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Engineering Student Faculty Board, the Concrete Canoe team, Tau Beta Pi (the national engineering honor society) and Chi Epsilon (the national honor society for civil engineering students).

“I'm a big promoter of school spirit,” says Mackewich, who will begin studies for his master’s degree next Fall. “Chances are you'll never see me not wearing a Wayne State T-shirt. The more you promote your school, the better it makes your degree look. If you go out and say negative things, people will think less of your degree. On the other hand, if you say positive things, people will say, ‘Oh, that’s a good school. I know somebody who went there.’”

Mackewich and senior, Tara Hixson (psychology), were announced as homecoming king and queen at halftime during the homecoming football game at Tom Adams Field. “Just wave and smile,” Mackewich says. “It was nice. They have everybody walk out. The five guys and the five girls, and then they call out the winners.”

He admits to having been a little worried because one of the remaining four challengers was a former student president. Also, Mackewich felt his interview could have gone better. “I wasn’t feeling the most confident, but I guess it went well enough,” he says.

One of the interview questions was, “Why do you think you should be Homecoming King?” To which, Mackewich says: “I live and breathe Wayne State. I always promote Wayne State. What I’ve done at Wayne State demonstrates all you can do – living on campus, research, going to different games and events.”

What does a homecoming king and queen do anyway? “There's not like a formal dance,” says Mackewich whose favorite sport is football. “We go to the press box and they had free food – good food. And just pose for some pictures...It was a great game. It was an awesome game. I would’ve liked a little better defense, but we buckled down and came back from 13 down at the half. It was entertaining.”

Wayne State beat Ashland University 47-40.

Luke Mackewich's campaign for homecoming king was fueled by this flyer.

College of Engineering Video Contest

MSC Technology Days

Nonlinear FEA saves companies money and time. Many companies have increased productivity by improving their manufacturing processes, reducing their development cycles, and various other techniques. Learn how your company can benefit too.

Get accurate loads for FEA and enhance controls system development. Simplify overly complex systems and learn how system-level motion simulation can help.

Join one or both of our MSC. Software Technology Day Workshops and receive free introductory hands-on Marc and/or Adams training!

MSC workshops are designed to give analysts and design engineers practical CAE training to help productivity and quickly apply the use of nonlinear and mechanical systems simulation to various design projects as soon as you get back to the office.

ATTENDEES RECEIVE

Free admission
Full day of introductory Marc and/or Adams hands-on training
Lunch provided
Access to nonlinear/motion experts and trainers
Demonstrations showcasing MSC technologies
FREE trial license including take-home training exercises
Special software pricing for attendees

Freshmen Outreach Program 2009

Engineering freshman Robert Costello and his mentor, Alisha John.

by Derrick Bean
COE Public Affairs Writer

Robert Costello is one of nearly 150 incoming engineering freshmen assigned a mentor this semester through the Freshman Outreach Program.

Costello says his experience with the mentorship program has been positive. “It has made me more comfortable on campus,” he says. “It has been a very good experience.”

Costello says he likes the idea of mentors. “I thought it was very useful. If I had any questions, I could ask them. There are a lot of people you could ask, but they don’t always have the answer if they’re not in the same field.”

There are about 15 mentors – all undergrad engineering students – who volunteered to help out with this year’s newcomers, says Alisha John, Costello’s mentor. Each mentor advises no more than 10 freshmen via email, she adds.

The mentoring program is a product of the newly formed College Climate Working Group and is part of a larger effort to improve the atmosphere at the College of Engineering. John, a member of the working group, is spearheading the program.

“A lot of people in the College of Engineering saw that there was a need for change,” says John, a junior studying chemical engineering. “The idea was to give freshmen students an additional source of information, things that we wish we would’ve known. We try to make their transition as smooth as it can be and get them to stay at Wayne State for the duration of their degree.”

Costello says that he feels more comfortable talking to someone who has been in his position rather than an academic advisor.

John says she urges mentors to make early connections with their freshmen counterparts to make them feel welcome. Beyond answering questions, mentors can provide information on different events such as the Welcome Back Picnic that took place at the beginning of this semester.

“Mentors are not required but are encouraged to foster a relationship with students,” John says.

Costello says John, who is also the president of engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi, has been very helpful, informing him about fraternities and extra-curricular activities. “I email her or respond to her email every two weeks,” says Costello. “She provided a welcoming environment. She basically answered any engineering question I had.”

The Freshman Outreach Program is all email communication at this point. John says it is still a developing project and that they are looking into the idea of face-to-face meetings between freshmen and their mentors at college and campus events.

Costello says meeting in person is the only change he would make to the program. He was fortunate to meet John at an Engineering Scholars Day event earlier this year.

DiverseAbility - Career Workshop

Learn about diversibilty, work opportunities, how to address disclosure, accommodations, and related disability issues. Educational Accessibility Serivces and Career Services are co-hosting this program on Thursday March 27, 2008 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm in room 1339 FAB. Register by contacting Jane DePriester-Morandini by email at aa7740@wayne.edu or phone at (313) 577-1851. Light refreshments will be served.

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