In This Issue

Got a Taste for Chicago?

Your gala conference experience doesn't have to end Thursday evening.  Keep the festivities going by planning to attend the opening of one of the Windy City's most famous summer festivals, Taste of Chicago , Friday, June 30 at 11 am.  More than 70 eateries will serve up just-smaller-than-restaurant portions of menu specialties. Admission is free but you much purchase tickets to eat.  We recommend you skip breakfast.

Aponte named HENAAC Scholar

Vanessa Aponte (PhD E) was named the 2005 HENAAC Student Leadership Graduate Degree Candidate Scholar at the organization's October award ceremonies in Anaheim, California. 

An aerospace engineer, Aponte received her doctorate from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2005.  An experienced mentor dedicated to directing underrepresented students to STEM education and careers, Aponte is yet another example of the excellent caliber of person GEM supports on their way to leadership roles in our communities, academia, and industry.

Watch her introduction and acceptance speech at the 1:48:00 mark on the Windows Media player.

Alumni: Stay in Touch!

Your life is always changing.  GEM is changing, too.  Make sure you receive the latest news about your GEM community by updating your contact information now.

Why?  Your current information is more than a mailing list.  It yields data GEM uses to prove our value to prospective and current Fellows, members, and partners.  You confirm that GEM works. 

Also, e-mail us to share high rez photos and submit your success story.  Send news about a promotion, publication, award, patent, tenure, or media coverage, too.  Your news is important to The Network.

Special Events

GEM @ 30  You will want to be in Chicago this  June 28-30 for a conference experience unlike any other in GEM's history. 

THE SESSIONS  Stakeholders will maximize ROI from the GEM partnership through Wednesday's best practices training.  Thursday, get ready for an interactive and solutions-based discussion of the "Quiet Crisis" in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent.  The day-long focus features national thought leaders from academia, industry, and government connecting theory to practice through a Chief Technology Officer panel, university president panel, and culminating in a combined panel roundtable. 

THE OUTREACH  Alumni are key contributors to the graduate student track Future Faculty & Professionals Symposium (FFP).  Now you can contribute your insights to G.R.A.D. Lab--GEM's new encouragement program for undergraduates.  It covers "Why Graduate School?", "Preparing for Graduate School", "The GEM Fellowship", and "Voices From the Field: Real Life STEM Experiences".  This concurrent Thursday day track is designed to excite interest in advanced engineering and science degrees while exposing more of the best and brightest students to GEM's fellowship programs.

Contact GEM now to suggest a facilitator or speaker for one or more of the four G.R.A.D. Lab sessions.  Please note "G.R.A.D. Lab" in the subject line and provide full name, phone number and/or e-mail address.  Speakers must be in the Chicagoland area or willing to travel.

And, expect the GEM network to work for you in June.  Consider the potential mentees and peers you will meet and those GEM representatives looking for experienced talent.  Come with a ready supply of business cards to make your powerful connection.

THE GALA Celebrants will find Thursday night's stars won't only be in the sky.  GEM's Black Tie 30th Anniversary Gala "Storied Past, Bright Future"will light up the stage with a premier awards show and celebration produced by Indigo Communications, Inc.   Special honoree Howard Adams, PhD, GEM's executive director from 1978-1995, led a period of incredible growth resulting in national prominence in the dialogue on policy and practices affecting diversity in STEM graduate education and leadership careers.  From recognizing the achievements of alumni and members to stellar entertainment to celebrating 30 years of excellence in graduate engineering and science education, this Gala is a evening you will not want to miss.

Check http://www.gemfellowship.org frequently for updates to conference information and registration, as well as information on purchasing Gala individual tickets and tables.

Historic Location, Historic Event

The InterContinental Chicago is the perfect site for GEM's annual conference, Board of Directors meeting, and will provide a fitting send off for revelers attending the historic 30th anniversary Black Tie Gala. Built in 1929, come prepared to explore this intimate setting--including knights in shining armor--connect with those in your network, and move the mission forward.  Just steps from major attractions, this year's event headquartered at the InterContinental is sure to be a highlight of 2006.

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GEM News

2005-2006 GEM Fellow Applicant and Awards  The January 4-5, 2006 meeting of the Selection Committee in Orlando, Florida should continue the recent trend of increased fellowship awards.  "When I was hired the top priority was growing revenue to result in the selection of more GEM Fellows," said Michele Lezama, GEM's Executive Director.  "Through the leadership of Hank McCoullum (Penn State), Chair of the Selection Committee, we came together with one goal: more Fellows.  I am pleased our membership has and continues to respond strategically to grow along with the talent pool we are uniquely positioned to supply.  We expect to deliver a class of GEM Fellows in the next few weeks that will enable our university and employer members, as well as our partners, to derive great value from our engineering and science graduate fellowship programs."

Selection Meeting highlights include :

• a 4% increase in qualified applicants
• meeting in Orlando to leverage GEM's partnership with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• the first fellowship award letters will be mailed to eligible applicants on February 13.

Lezama continued, "We need our employer members to help increase the number of Fellows awarded this year by contacting the funding source within his or her organization and ensuring they solicit the support of at least one additional GEM Fellow this selection year.  We have excellent candidates with GPAs of 3.0 and above that will not be funded without such a champion."

GEM Alumni Honored at Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA)  The following GEM alumnae and alumni will be recognized at the 20th Annual BEYA ceremonies in Baltimore, Maryland.  Please notify GEM when others within your organization or institution are recognized for special achievement.

• Norina Dixon, GEM Student Leadership
• Wilbur L. Myrick, PhD , Career Achievement in Industry
• Reginald Van Lee, Pioneer Award
• Robert L. Riley, Jr., Most Promising Scientist
• Rodney A. Bryant, PhD, Outstanding Technical Contribution in Government
• Eric L. Williams, Technical Sales & Marketing
• Thomas Ervin, Jr., Special Recognition
• Patrick F. Gerdes, Special Recognition
• Marcus Ash, Special Recognition
• Alonzo Burns, Modern-Day Technology Leader
• Phillip A. Carswell, Modern-Day Technology Leader
• Samuel Graham, PhD, Modern-Day Technology Leader
• Sharon Meadows, Modern-Day Technology Leader

We extend our congratulations to all 2006 BEYA honorees.

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Fellows & Alumni

Nelson Irizarry (PhD E), 2nd from right with fellow U.S. and Zaytun unit Korean officers, writes: "Hello!  I have been back [in the U.S.] since February 2005 and may be deployed again this summer.  I served in Iraq and Kuwait with the 335th Theater Signal Command as their Operations Officer.  I was responsible for the management of the Army communications units in Kuwait and some in Iraq.  I also did communication site surveys and existing communications infrastructure assessments in Iraq for future operations."

Yet another alum attributing his success to GEM, "GEM was the difference between continuing for the PhD or not," Irizarry has said, his professorial spirit has kept him focused on preparing the best engineering students possible and helping the community--whether in his homeland, where he was an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, or comrades serving in the Mideast conflict.

"I attempted to set up some sort of engineering program with the University of Maryland but the colleges that service the armed forces are more interested in arts and soft sciences.  I think it has to do with costs and facilities.  However, I don't see why we cannot do it in the continental U.S.  Currently, I am looking for any university that may be interested in distance learning to teach undergraduate or graduate courses in engineering," he wrote.   "If you know of any school that may be interested please let me know.  My tour of duty should be complete in June of 2007 and I could be on the market for a teaching job." 

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February Recruiting

Cyntrica Eaton (PhD E Fellow) will conduct the session "Graduate School 101" Saturday, February 18 from 2-3:30 pm at the 20th Black Engineer of the Year Awards Conference.

Upcoming Recruiting Events

March: NSBE National Convention

Are you a GEM Fellow or alum planning to attend NSBE's annual convention in Pittsburgh?  Sign-up for your Recruiting Kit including a GEM button, brochures--even a stint at our booth #1308 --to reach back and inspire a student on to graduate school.

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