Letter from 2011-2012 Academy President Alan J. Davidson
February 13, 2012
Membership of the
Academy of Mechanical Engineers
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
Dear Academy Member:
The annual Academy Induction Banquet will be held on Friday evening, April 13, 2012 in Lubbock at the Texas Tech Merket Alumni Center. A wine and beer reception will begin at 5:30pm, followed by dinner at 6:30pm. Dress is business formal (suit and tie). Dinner will be followed by remarks from Dr. Jharna Chaudhuri, Chair of the ME Department, then by the induction of our new members and entertainment. Lone Prairie will be providing the entertainment for this year's banquet.
On the morning following the banquet, the annual Academy business meeting will be held at 8:00 AM on Saturday, April 14, in the ME Department conference room. A continental breakfast will be available at 7:45 AM.
As a reminder, our donations are the sole source of funding for Academy activities. Given this reality, it is especially important that each of us provide as much support as possible. Our funding provides significant assistance to the ME Department, as well as to the student chapters of Pi Tau Sigma and ASME, and our ability to continue this support is dependent upon the generosity of our members. While donations are completely voluntary, I encourage everyone to make a contribution. As a guideline, a donation of $200 plus $40 per banquet attendee is a good basis. Donations should be sent to Dr. Jharna Chaudhuri (address at bottom of letter). Don’t forget company matching contributions forms, if applicable.
Although we have planned for an assumed number of attendees at the banquet based upon the prior year attendance, if you are planning to attend, please contact Linda Whitebread by March 16, 2012, at (806) 742-3563 x222 or via e-mail at linda.whitebread@ttu.edu to ensure that a banquet table count can be finalized. Also, let her know if you have any special menu requirements. If you have not already made reservations to stay for the evening in Lubbock, enclosed is a listing of accommodations.
Attached for your reference are minutes from the 2011 meeting. Please review these minutes prior to the meeting so that you will have a good understanding of current issues affecting the Academy and the ME Department. We would also ask that you come prepared with a suggestion for ME student projects that can translate the students’ learning experiences into industry processes and technologies. Several design projects are underway this year based on suggestions from last year's Academy meeting.
Thank you for your support of the Academy. If you have any questions, please call me at (806) 674-1236 or contact me at Alan.Davidson@XCELENERGY.com. I look forward to seeing you at the banquet and business meeting on April 13-14.
Sincerely yours,
Alan J. Davidson
ME Academy Chair, 2011-2012
ME Department Contact Information:
Dr. Jharna Chaudhuri
Texas Tech University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Box 41021
Lubbock, TX 79409-1021
(806) 742-3563 ext. 224
Fax (806) 742-3540
Attachments:
Agendas for this year's Academy Meetings