Rotary Club of Amarillo

Wheels for May 10
by Denise Blanchard

We had the honor of hearing from Dr. Emily Hunt, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the department of Engineering and Computer Science at WTAMU and author of a children's book Engineering Elephants. Emily is currently working on a project with Pantex that is funded through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency division of the Department of Defense. Formed from Fire 2012 is the title she used to describe the creation of new materials out of nano particles that will produce safe antibacterial surfaces that could be used in a variety of ways including to combat potential threats by biological weapons. She explained that the nano materials they are using are comparable in size to one billionth of a meter stick and are only visible with highly sensitive machines.

Dr. Hunt also shared information on the growth of the engineering program at WTAMU. Beginning with mechanical engineering in 2006, the university now offers degrees in mechanical and civil engineering and next fall will expand to include environmental engineering with electrical engineering on the horizon in 2015. Ninety-five percent of the graduates in mechanical engineering are employed within 6 months of graduation with the other 5 percent pursuing advanced degrees. Dr. Hunt is a wonderful example for young women interested in careers in science and engineering and an asset to WTAMU and the Panhandle region.

The Rotary After Hours event set for Thursday, June 14, at the Bar Z Winery has been postponed due to a conflict at the winery. Stay tuned for more details on a new date for the event! There will be a nooon Rotary meeting on June 14. .

Sincere thanks this week to:

President John Early for presiding.
David O'Dell and Gay Chalfant for leading us in song.
Cal Harriman for providing the invocation.
Gary Mitchell and Rocky Gafford for a nice greeting.
John Boyce for introducing guests and visiting Rotarians.
Johnny Crowley for serving as May program chair.
David Walvoord for selling Rotary Foundation drawing tickets.