In 2007, the British-based company Rolls-Royce announced plans to build a new jet engine manufacturing plant at Crosspointe, in Prince George County, Va., and invited the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University and the Virginia Community College System to join it in an innovative partnership. Partnership plans included creation of two major research centers; support for faculty, students, workforce development initiatives and research; and manufacturing training. (More)
Charles Edward McMurdo, the University of Virginia's oldest living alumnus, died on Dec. 31, 2011, at 105 years of age. McMurdo was a graduate in Electrical Engineering, Class of 1929 and 1930, earning both an undergraduate and graduate degree. He won many honors as a student and had a long and successful career as an electrical engineer. He also was active in his church and rarely missed an opportunity to gather with the Engineering School community. (More)
Adam Maguire and his ENGR 1620 team built a prototype of a device that will enable people with limited or no use of their limbs to operate a computer using their tongues. Funding for the project from the NISH/DEED Financial Assistance Program for Assistive Technology will allow the team to compete in the AbilityOne Network Design Challenge in April. (More)
Charles (Chip) Blankenship, a 1992 materials science graduate, has been named president and CEO of GE Appliances, a global industry leader in major appliances and home energy management products and services for residential use. (More)
Nine Charlottesville companies founded on University of Virginia research discoveries are being awarded a total of nearly $1.8 million from the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund. Administered by the state's Center for Innovative Technology on behalf of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority, the fund "advances science- and technology-based research, development and commercialization to drive economic growth in Virginia." (More)
Mary Lou Soffa, Owen R. Cheatham Professor and Chair of the Engineering School's computer science department, has committed herself to encouraging women to succeed in computer science. In acknowledgement of her dedication, Soffa received the 2011 Anita Borg Technical Leadership Award, which honors women for technical contributions that impact women in computing. (More)
