A-State CoECS Inducts 11 New Members into Alumni Academy

11/06/2024

JONESBORO - Arkansas State University's College of Engineering and Computer Science (CoECS) welcomed graduates and friends for an annual gathering of the Alumni Academy that took place on campus on Nov. 1- 2.

"Eleven new members were inducted into the CoECS Alumni Academy, bringing the total to 81 members since the first year of its operation in 2021," said Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharyya, dean of the CoECS.

The induction banquet occurred on Friday, Nov. 1, at the Woodard McAlister Family Club inside Centennial Bank Stadium.

"The academy provides alumni an opportunity to reconnect with their peers as well as the university and the college. It also allows our current students to meet with eminent alumni and network with them during their visit here," said Bhattacharyya.

Jessie X. Jones, academy president and charter member, said "It is exciting to see the growth and momentum of the academy in such a short time. This year, we started the student engagement program, connecting our members with students in the classroom."

Soon, student benefits from the CoECS Alumni Academy will deepen beyond networking opportunities.

"By next year, we hope to begin a scholarship program that will provide financial assistance to students. There is no doubt in my mind that the potential impact of the academy members is limitless," Jones added.

Membership in the Alumni Academy "is by invitation only and all the members have been in the workforce for at least 10 years and have significant professional accomplishments to their credit," according to Bhattacharyya. "Members are either graduates of one of the academic programs in the college or are friends of the college."

Charles Brinkley, charter member and vice president of the academy, will serve as president in 2025. Brinkley is employed at Cree-Wolfspeed as a silicon carbide power module customer quality engineer.

More information on members, officials of the academy, and bylaws can be viewed on this page.

The inductees this year are:

-Andrew Cody Brown, senior director of shipping and logistics, Big River Steel

-Brandy Davis, hot roll / cold roll product manager, Big River Steel

-Todd Franke, owner, AmeriSpec Inspection Services

-James Jones, Arkansas transportation lead and project manager, HDR

-Kendall Kirby, senior vice president, information technology, USAble Life

-Heath Lockley, director of biogas planning and operations, Vision RNG

-William "Shannon" Luke, construction engineer, District 10, Arkansas Department of Transportation

-Blake Marotti, general manager, Wynne Water Utilities

-Sharon Robinson-Garrett, senior product engineer, Navistar-International Truck and Engine

-Thomas "Neal" Taegtmeyer, associate principal owner, Pickering Firm, Inc.

-Shane Wood, district engineer, District 10, Arkansas Department of Transportation

The College of Engineering and Computer Science Alumni Academy welcomes new members.

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