Employees Recognized for Dedicated Service to LSU
May 26, 2009
The University recently recognized several College of Engineering employees for their years of dedicated commitment and loyal service.
Ralph W. Pike Jr., PE, PhD, Paul M. Horton Professor of Chemical Engineering celebrated 45 years with LSU. Pike is the Gordon A. and Mary Cain Department of Chemical Engineering (ChE) William G. Reymond Endowed Professor and director of the Minerals Processing Research Institute. His areas of specialization include: fluid dynamics with chemical reaction, chemical and biochemical reactor design, chemically reacting flow, optimization of continuous processes, pollution prevention, and sustainable development.
Debbie Hernandez, administrative specialist and assistant to the chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) achieved 35 years of service to LSU. Hernandez joined ME in January 2001and functions as the liaison for faculty, staff and students, oversees department operations and budgetary responsibilities and is the ME human resource management representative.
Claudia Hawkins, coordinator, also celebrated 35 years of experience with LSU. Hawkins is the assistant to the associate dean working with undergraduate student services and many special projects.
The following three CoE employees were acknowledged for accomplishing 25 years with LSU:
V. Paul Rodriguez, Jr., ChE shop manager oversees research and development facilities.
Patti Lynn O'Connor, accounting technician in the Division of Engineering Services is responsible for grant accounting, leave tracking, and backup wage payroll.
David M. Wetzel, PE, PhD, associate professor and holder of the F.J. Haydel, Jr./Kaiser Aluminum Professorship and Leon M. Pliner Distinguished Professorship in Chemical Engineering focuses his expertise on hazardous waste, separation and destruction.
Friedland Earns PhD
On Friday, May 15, LSU held its 268th commencement exercise and recognized 3,427 students, which included 40 LSU faculty and staff. Carol J. Friedland, PE, instructor for the Department of Construction Management & Industrial Engineering (CMIE) earned her PhD in Civil Engineering. Friedland teaches CM 3506 Structural Technology II. Friedland holds a BS degree in civil engineering with honors from the University of Wyoming and a MS in civil engineering from LSU.
Article by Mimi LaValle for the College of Engineering, 225-578-5706, mlavall@lsu.edu
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