Tau Bates Making News, July 2009

Yvonne Brill, SC G ’45, has been named as the 2009 recipient of the John Fritz Medal. The award is presented by the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES).

Brill was recognized for her career work involving the development of rocket propulsion systems. Today, Brill is a satellite technology and space propulsion systems consultant.

Read more of the news release from the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), or learn more about Yvonne Brill.

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Virginia Tech’s Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory’s Blind Drive Challenge team has developed a four-wheel dirt buggy to give the blind an opportunity to drive.

Dennis Hong, WI A ’94, faculty adviser on the project and director of the Laboratory, said that Tech was the only university to accept a 2004 Jernigan Institute challenge to develop a vehicle that “would one day allow the blind to drive.”

The student-team, led by Greg Jannaman (VA B ’09), will bring the vehicle to the National Federation of the Blinds’ Youth Slam summer camp to give teenagers, who because of their age would be obtaining a driver’s license, a chance to drive the buggy. Read article from Science Daily

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Engineer and teacher, Don N. Lee (CA D ’58), was interviewed for “Eye on Entertainment.” Dr. Lee has a remarkable story and family.

He has several computer chip patents, became a high school teacher at the age of 73, and has seven children including Dawna Lee Heising.

Learn more about Dr. Lee and watch the interview.

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