Welcome to Mechanical Engineering at RIT Dr Edward

Welcome to Mechanical Engineering at RIT Dr. Edward Hensel, PE Professor and Department Head Mechanical Engineering … We Design The Future

Why are we here? Our Mission is to prepare students for careers in industry or for graduate study in engineering or related fields. Our curriculum emphasizes the fundamentals and will provide you with courses that allow you to specialize in your chosen fields of study. To help ready you for life in the larger community, we seek to maintain a balance among humanistic-social subjects, the physical sciences, and engineering studies. “Well done is better than well said. ” … Benjamin Franklin

Formula – On A Roll! n Dr. Alan Nye was recognized in 2006 for the sixth time with the SAE International ‘Faculty Advisor of the Year Award’. Dr. Nye has guided RIT’s Formula racing team since 1991, which will be celebrating its 10 th anniversary and 25 competitions during Brick City Weekend in October. n RIT's Formula SAE racing team placed third overall among 70 competitors in the Formula SAE West, held June 14 to 17, 2006 at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

Caitlin Vanderbush Lead Survivability Engineer C-130 AMP Program Boeing Space and Defense …”RIT not only prepared me academically for this challenge, but gave me the attitude to make it an opportunity. I have received many [Boeing] awards for my efforts on this program, and I know that I am here, in this position today, because of RIT. ” Caitlin Vanderbush Letter to Dean Palmer May 2006 B. S. Mechanical Engineering Class of 2004

Christine Lowry Entered RIT in Fall 2005 FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH Recognizes RIT ME First Year Student Christine Lowry as a recipient of the “Learning Through Listening” Scholarship Award for high achieving students with dyslexia, in recognition of her outstanding accomplishments.

Mechanical Engineering Good Things are Happening! Great Students and Organizations! n Great Faculty and Staff! n 38, 000 square foot expansion to Building 9 will be complete by next September! n World Class First Year Retention! n – We only admit students whom we believe can be successful in our program.

ME Admit One Year Retention History # Enter Fall Entering # still at RIT # still in ME % still at RIT % still in ME 1995 94 79 65 84% 69% 1996 90 75 64 83% 71% 1997 82 62 55 76% 67% 1998 109 89 67 82% 61% 1999 134 116 90 86% 67% 2000 147 127 111 86% 76% 2001 139 120 102 86% 73% 2002 115 110 88 96% 77% 2003 127 122 111 96% 87% 2004 128 122 113 95% 88% During the 1990’s: one year retention at RIT hovered around 82%, while one year retention within the ME program was around 67%,

Changes Made During AY 2005 -06 1. Conducted a more thorough analysis of each student’s academic background and preparation, 2. placed students in a learning community which fits their individual academic needs, while fostering teambuilding with peers and development of study groups, 3. Provided individualized tutoring, mentoring, and supplemental instruction services to first year students, 4. fostered the development of a close relationship between each faculty adviser and their students, 5. Established an earlier connection to the students chosen career path through corporate tours, site visits, and seminars, 6. Modified the freshman chemistry course delivery.

Hensel’s Challenge to the ME Class of 2011 I challenge you to achieve 95% retention at RIT as of September 30 th, 2008. n I challenge you to achieve 90% retention in Mechanical Engineering at RIT as of September 30 th, 2008. n We will measure our performance by the cohort of students directly admitted into Mechanical Engineering today, and registered for classes as of September 15 th, 2006.

Techniques to meet our team goal n Fostering Relationships With – Peers (first year and upper-division) – Your Faculty Advisor and FYE coach – Course Professors n Group scheduling and Clustering – High levels of assistance built-in – Foster peer learning “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. ” … Henry Ford

Techniques to meet our team goal n Support Services n Team Success coupled with Individual Responsibility – Course, College, and Campus Resources – Supplemental Instructors for ME Learning Community Classes – Pilot Program on the ME Studies Class – Attend EVERY class – Do your [own] homework – Help your peers learn the material, and they will help you

Commitment n Team commitments. – We are here to help you. Let us. – Help one another; take responsibility for one another. n Individual commitments. – Demonstrate individual competence in your areas of study. – Do not abuse one another. "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. " -- Abraham Lincoln, 1809 -65