Crain’s Detroit Business is reporting that current General Motor’s (GM) CEO Mary T. Barra, MI Z ’85, has been elevated to the additional role of chairman of GM. Former GM chairman, Tim Solso, had this to say about the appointment. “At a time of unprecedented industry change, the board concluded it is in the best interests of the company to combine the roles of chair and CEO in order to drive the most efficient execution of our plan and vision for the future,” said Solso. “With GM consistently delivering on its targets and on track to generate significant value for its shareholders, this is the right time for Mary to assume this role.” Click here to read the article.
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The University of Notre Dame has announced that chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Joan F. Brennecke, Ph.D. (TX A ’84), is the recipient of a U.S. Department of Energy grant “for research that could fundamentally change the way the country uses and produces energy.” Dr. Brennecke will study how ionic liquids, or salt in a liquid state, can improve the efficiency and economics of the carbon dioxide capture process.
Read the news announcement for more information on Dr. Brennecke known for her research in the development of solvents and leader of a research team that in 2004 demonstrated that ionic liquids have the potential to efficiently capture CO2 from the flue gas of coal-fired plants.
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Zahed Siddique, Ph.D. (GA A ’94), has been appointed as associate director of the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma University (OU). Currently, Dr. Siddique is also a professor of engineering at OU. According to the announcement, his new role will include working “to improve the School’s profile to both internal and external stakeholders, involvement in special projects and the capstone program.”
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Tau Beta Pi 