Researchers from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University recently published findings online in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering from a study which “tested 32 brands of hockey helmets to gauge how they would protect players against concussions.” Co-author and Virginia Tech department head of biomedical engineering and mechanics Stefan M. Duma, Ph.D. (TN A ’94), found that not one of the helmets received a four-or-five star rating (on a five-star scale) and only one earned a three-star rating.
“We don’t think anybody should be playing in [the ‘not recommended’] helmets,” said Dr. Duma. He told ESPN.com that hockey players wearing such helmets are at risk of suffering at least six concussions per season, and in some cases, upwards of eight. According to the article, hockey has the highest rate of concussions and the goal of the study was to motivate the introduction of improved hockey helmets into the market.
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Michael R. Lovell, Ph.D. (PA L ’89), assumed the role of president of Marquette University (WI) on July 1, 2014. “In the first months since his Inauguration, Dr. Lovell has presented to the campus community his early vision for three new innovation initiatives: a new strategic innovation fund, designed to invest in innovative ideas and entrepreneurial initiatives; an expanded role in the growing water sector through a significant presence at the Global Water Center; and a presence at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Innovation Campus.” Read more
Click here to read more about Dr. Lovell, including his previous position as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 2011-14.
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A donation of $25 million has been announced for the Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M. The donation from the Zachry Group will go to “support the construction of a new Engineering Education Complex, the establishment of the Zachry Leadership Program, and the Zachry Group Professor of Practice with the department of mechanical engineering.” The company’s chairman and CEO John B. Zachry is a 1984 graduate of Texas A&M. The San Antonio-based Zachry provides construction, engineering, maintenance, turnaround and fabrication services in the power, energy, chemicals, manufacturing and industrial sectors. For more information, read the article from the San Antonio Business Journal
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Tau Beta Pi 