Meet Our Students & Alumni

Eric Rohr, 2017

Eric developed a solid academic reputation with faculty and peers in multiple departments. In preparing his thesis, Eric did so with a characteristic level of focus and intensity, developing a proposal in near record time and completing data collection in a week. His thesis topic was on the perceived benefits of critical chain project management in resource and time efficiencies of U.S. Army construction projects. 

While working towards his master’s degree, Eric maintained a perfect 4.0 overall grade point average. He consistently performed above expectations, and our faculty have commented on his ability to accomplish a great deal of work in a short time period.

Farshid Alavi, 2016

Farshid distinguished himself as a graduate student, completing his coursework with an overall 4.0 GPA. His graduate thesis, titled Optimization of Process Parameters in Micro Electrical Discharge Machining of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy based on Full Factorial Design, was an outstanding application of ANOVA and MANOVA on a micro-manufacturing application. 

Bright Adu, 2015

Bright Adu completed his graduate program with a 4.0 overall GPA. His thesis, titled Characterizing Water as Gap Fill for Double Glazing Units, was an experimental design constructed with grant funds over the course of a year's time and produced information that will be most useful to the construction industry in the coming years. Bright had a number of scholarly presentations during his time in the program including the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) annual conference and the WKU Student Research Conference where he won a Best Poster Award. Bright also served as a graduate assistant with distinction helping faculty with research projects and laboratories.

Andrew Austin, 2014

As a student in the Master of Science Engineering Management program, Andrew completed all coursework with an overall 4.0 GPA. His graduate thesis, titled Process Capability in a Computer Integrated Manufacturing Cell was an outstanding application of Six Sigma principles in the Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics laboratory on campus. Andy also has a number of scholarly activities to his credit, including a poster and presentations at two Student Research Conferences and the 2013 Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).

Andy has also been active in WKU Habitat for Humanity and has provided service and community outreach for the St. Thomas Aquinas Center, Hilltoppers for Life, and Meals, Inc.

Sumbul Khan, 2014

Sumbul Khan completed the Master of Science Engineering Management program with an overall 4.0 GPA. Her graduate thesis, Improvement of Pedagogical Laboratory Based Learning: Multimedia Enhanced Instructional Methods demonstrated the feasibility of using enhanced multimedia for advanced manufacturing instruction and distance learning. Sumbul also collaborated frequently with faculty on several scholarly publications, and she presented at two Student Research Conferences and the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) in 2013.

Joleen Byerline, 2013

Joleen Byerline earned a 4.0 GPA in three graduate programs at WKU including the MSEM.  As a graduate assistant, Joleen assisted with research, managed department projects, and instructed sections of AMS-262 Construction Methods and Materials Lab. She is an ATMAE Certified Technology Manager, a member of the Epsilon Pi Tau honors society, and the vice-president of the local ATMAE students chapter. Joleen represented WKU as one of four finalists in the 2012 ATMAE National Graduate Research Competition.

Brittney Perry, 2012

Brittney balanced the duties of a graduate teaching assistant, collegiate athlete, and graduate student. 

Brittney has presented at the ATMAE National Conference and was nominated for the medallion honor society. She is also active in campus organizations including the Fellowship for Christian Athletes, Black Graduate Student Association, Habitat for Humanity, Sister to Sister Mentor Program, and M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan.

Landon Wray, 2011

Landon Wray distinguished himself by completing all coursework in the MSEM program in 24 months with an overall GPA of 4.00. A portion of his research on abrasive waterjet machining was presented at the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Conference. 

As a graduate assistant, Landon was instrumental in organizing and maintaining the manufacturing processes and the materials testing laboratories. Landon was also active in the Baptist College Ministry and the Crossland Community Church Praise Band.

Sarah Namara, 2010

Sarah Namara distinguished herself in the MSEM program by completing all coursework in 18 months with an overall GPA of 3.90. Her thesis, Do Companies Value Maintaining ISO 9000 Certification?, was an outstanding case study of 41 U.S. companies first certified in 2000 and showed that companies do value certification, but only because it is a customer requirement; not necessarily to improve quality. Sarah also worked as a graduate assistant for the department, performing excellent research that was the basis for the development of the Kentucky Technology Consortium.

Sarah gave three peer-reviewed presentations at two conferences of the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering and two presentations at the WKU Student Research Conference. She maintained active membership in the American Society for Quality and attended the local chapter meetings on campus. Sarah has also distinguished herself as an athlete, receiving awards for her performances in WKU Track & Field and Cross-Country.

Josh Ferriell, 2010

As a graduate student, Josh was awarded a graduate assistantship with the department where he assisted faculty and supervised students using computer-integrated manufacturing equipment. Josh helped establish the WKU Student Chapter for the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) and has served as the co-president.

Faculty characterize Josh as self-motivated, easy-going, and an emerging leader. Faculty who have has Josh in classes describe him as a solid thinker, excellent problem-solver, and one who desires to learn. Josh has made great progress in improving his written and oral communication skills this year.

Travis Mattingly, 2009

Travis Mattingly distinguished himself in the MSEM program by completing all coursework in 18 months with an overall GPA of 3.90. His graduate project, titled Research and Development of Customer Oriented Project Guidelines, was an outstanding application of the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide (2004) to the design of a customer-based project management system at LINAK US, Inc., a Louisville-based design and manufacturing firm of electric linear actuator systems. 

Because of his outstanding performance, LINAK US authorized full PMP certification at the prestigious Project Management Institute (PMI). His contributions at LINAK US were recognized in 2008 when he received the Company Value Award for Continuous Improvement and Project Management and the Job Satisfaction and Helpfulness Award.

Paul Mooney, 2008

Paul was the first graduate of the Master of Science in Engineering Management at WKU. While here, Paul received recognition from Ogden College of Science and Engineering as the Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year for the program. He left a lasting and positive impression.

Paul was also employed as a graduate assistant in the development of a grant proposal for the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance. Paul maintained a 4.0 GPA in addition to maintaining a busy schedule and full-time work responsibilities.