5. ALUMNI NEWS / PHILANTHROPY

ALUMNI NEWS

Thomas E. Claugus ('73) recognized with Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership

Thomas E. Claugus, '73
Tom Claugus was recognized at The Ohio State University College of Engineering's fall Alumni Awards banquet with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Learning.
 
Claugus is the president and senior portfolio manager of GMT Capital, a hedge fund with $5 billion in assets. He is also the firm's founder and a majority shareholder. Today, his innovative, data-driven and persistent approach in the highly volatile field of hedge fund investing has earned superior returns for his investors and received widespread recognition.
 
Prior to founding GMT Capital, Claugus spent a total of 17 years with Rohm and Haas Company, working in Mexico, Europe and the US. He began as a process engineer and culminated his career at Rohm and Haas as regional director for Europe.
 
In 1993, Claugus founded and continues to serve as chairman of GMT Exploration LLC, a private oil and gas exploration company. He also serves on the board of Paramount Resources, and is chairman of the board of Strategic Oil & Gas.
 
He supports a number of charities, most significantly Growth Through Learning, an organization that provides scholarships to Tanzanian children.
 
Claugus received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership at the College of Engineering's 2015 Excellence in Engineering & Architecture Alumni Awards ceremony in Fall 2015, held at the Center of Science and Industry. 
 
Claugus earned a bachelor's in chemical engineering ('73, summa cum laude), from The Ohio State University, and an MBA with high distinction from Harvard Business School. He received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Engineering in 2008. 

Bhavesh (Bob) Patel ('88) wins Distinguished Alumni Award

 

Bhavesh (Bob) V. Patel, /88

At The Ohio State University College of Engineering's fall Alumni Awards banquet, Bob Patel received the Distinguished Alumni Award. 

Bob Patel is chief executive officer of LyondellBasell, a position he assumed in January 2015. He joined LyondellBasell in March 2010 as senior vice president, Olefins & Polyfins (O&P) - Americas, and later that year was named senior vice president, O&P - Europe, Asia and International (O&P EAI). Patel was promoted to executive vice president of O&P EAI in October 2013 and given additional responsibility for the company's manufacturing operations outside of the Americas. In April 2014, he was appointed by shareholders to the company's management board and became its chairman when he assumed the role of CEO in early 2015.

Prior to joining LyondellBasell, Patel was general manager at Olefins and Natural Gas Liquids for Chevron Phillps Chemical Company. Before that, he was at Chevron Corporation, where he worked for over 20 years.

Patel is a board member of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and serves on the executive committee and the board of directors for the American Chemistry Council.

Patel received the Distinguished Alumni Award at the College of Engineering's 2015 Excellence in Engineering & Architecture Alumni Awards ceremony in Fall 2015, held at the Center of Science and Industry. 

He earned a bachelor's in chemical engineering ('88) from The Ohio State Universityy and a master's in business administration from Temple University.

CBE Advisory Board re-vamping: Richard Schwarz ('73) to Chair

The CBE Advisory Board is re-organizing in anticipation of creating a more active board involved in the life and success of the department and chemical engineering program.

Alumnus Richard Schwarz, a partner in Edgewater Capital Partners in Cleveland, Ohio, will chair the newly-formed board.

Schwarz has over 40 years of experience in operations management, leveraged buyouts, entrepreneurship, management consulting, and sales. His responsibilities have included full company profit and loss, M&A, product development, and strategic planning; both for domestic and international organizations. He has held various senior management and governance positions in manufacturing, distribution, and chemicals business. Richard joined Edgewater in 2003 as a member of the board of operating advisors and became a partner in 2004. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Ohio State University, an MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, and is a Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Ohio.
 

PHILANTHROPY

Why private support matters

A chemical engineering education is a precious commodity which requires an investment of time, effort, and resources, the fruit of which enables chemical engineers to individually and collectively make innovative contributions to society. The impact is enormous - whether it is devising more cost-efficient processes or producing systems which can transform the way in which we live, the work of every chemical engineer benefits society and even the world in some way. 

This is why it is important that we support the education of future chemical engineers. Many people do not realize that, due to declining state funding, the cost of tuition only partially covers today's expenses, and that it is no longer possible for students to "work their way through school" to emerge debt free. Your support literally creates opportunities for chemical engineering students to succeed, and is crucial to the continuing health of CBE and the betterment of the world at large. 

This year, hundreds of people and organizations supported CBE. Because you cared, others have, and will, benefit. Thank you.

Legacy in Action: A $14M gift from alumnus Ed Claugus brightens the future for CBE and the College of Engineering

Ed Claugus, '81
Barnesville, Ohio is a charming town in rural southeast Ohio that is proud of its pumpkin festival; a Victorian mansion; and its small-town hospitality. 
 
Of its 4,200 residents, there have been only a few of note. These include Elisha Gray, who reportedly invented the telephone; and George Shannon, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. But there was one family who would also become notable  -- and nearly all of them were educated here at Ohio State: the Claugus family.
 
Frederick W. Claugus earned his Doctor of Veterinary medicine in 1943. He and his spouse, Bernice, were blessed with five sons:

Bruce Claugus, the oldest son, obtained his BS in civil engineering and MS in engineering Mechanics from Ohio State in 1972 and is now an attorney in NYC.

Tom Claugus is a 1973 chemical engineering grad who became a successful investor and hedge fund manager.

Daniel Claugus studied the arts at Ohio State, and Frederick Claugus, Jr., like his father, got a DVM at Ohio State.

And then there was Edward Claugus, the youngest son, who graduated from Ohio State with a degree in chemical engineering in 1981 and went on to become a successful private investor and aviation enthusiast. Ed loved Ohio State, and left his mark on it in a very special way. His $14 million estate gift , divided equally between CBE and the College of Engineering, will benefit the students, faculty and staff by establishing endowed scholarships for 45 students, an Engineering Innovation Fund, and an endowed chair and equipment and operating funds in chemical and biomolecular engineering.

“He had tremendous respect for Ohio State,” said brother Tom Claugus, who recently visited campus for a special evening in remembrance of his brother Ed.

“It’s great when your younger brother is an inspiration, and Ed was an inspiration for me. My brother really lived his life to the fullest. I am sure he would be proud to see the scholarship recipients and the work that’s ongoing to further the mission of Ohio State. He would just be glowing to know he was supporting 45 students.”

Ohio State President Michael V. Drake noted that Ed Claugus’ most enduring legacy is likely to live within the student recipients of the scholarships he established.

“The gift from Ed Claugus is already changing lives. Forty-five engineering students in the first year alone are conducting innovative research, exploring volunteer opportunities and paying it forward in ways that would not be possible without their selection as Claugus Scholars,” Drake said. “I am excited to see how Ohio State and the world benefit from their future discoveries and generosity.”

“Supporting scholarships, academic facilities and world-class faculty, Ed’s generosity will have a widespread impact on this college and chemical and biomolecular engineering in particular, which will result in extraordinary changes in the breadth and depth of the faculty,” said David B. Williams, dean of the College of Engineering. 

“That’s not just good for Ohio State, but for all of Ohio as we push more healthcare and other innovations to market ahead of the competition, and create companies and partnerships that in turn create jobs. Ed’s support and belief in Ohio State are ensuring that our students and faculty will truly make a difference through these new ventures,” Williams said.

“We are who we are because of Ohio State,” said Bruce Claugus. “I look forward to the day, and that day surely will come, when Ohio State will become known as the top engineering research university in the country. I am incredibly proud to know that my brother Ed will have played such an important role in making that happen.”

“Ed Claugus was a man of vision, not only in his business life, but in his philanthropy as well,” said Andre Palmer, chair of the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

“Rather than make multiple small gifts, he wanted to make one large gift that would have real impact, and this he certainly achieved. Because this transformational gift was so carefully thought out, its ramifications are enormous. The gift provides a crucial foundation for the department’s future stability, and we are extremely grateful,” said Palmer.

“We’ve been given a future with limitless potential. Our promise is to live up to that potential, and exceed the dreams that even Ed had in terms of the impact his gift would make,” Palmer said. 

Ohio State celebrated receipt of the gift in November, 2015. Additional stories at osu.edu and Columbus Dispatch.

Campaign for New Koffolt Laboratories exceeds $17.5M fundraising goal

Thanks to our many generous and caring donors, New Koffolt Labs opened its doors in January, 2015. Because you cared, over 1,000 of our currently enrolled students and the faculty who serve them are getting a better educational experience.  

The impact on students and faculty has been profound indeed. Here are a few comments from the beneficiaries of your generosity: 

 

Hussein Alkhatib
Hussein Alkhatib
"Students love the Dow Student Lounge, which is a great space for student collaboration. The multi-media workstations provide a great space for completing unit ops reports. The large screen simplifies the editing process and allows students to work more efficiently. It’s also just a great place to work on homework and for TAs and students to come together to improve the learning experience.”  -Hussein B Alkhatib, AIChE Co-President, Class of 2016.

 

Umit Ozkan
Umit S. Ozkan

"It is such a joy to work in a building where we can conduct cutting-edge research with the most modern safety standards and research capabilities, and where our undergraduate students feel at home. It is such a joy to see our students at every corner of the building, any time of day, working, reading, writing, interacting with each other or with faculty, or taking a break. What could be better than providing such a feeling of belonging to our students?"  -Umit Ozkan, College of Engineering Distinguished Professor


 

Gauri Nabar
Gauri Nabar
“I really love CBEC. My productivity and quality of life have improved since we moved into this new space. Having specialized laboratories and equipment for our nanotechnology and cancer research in the same space is a huge time-saver. Lounge areas on each floor are great for holding TA sessions, quick coffee breaks or having lunch with friends. Sofas near windows, well-lit corridors and numerous conference rooms on every floor make our experience here a lot more enjoyable. I will really miss this place after I leave.” -Gauri Nabar, 4th year Ph.D. student

 

Winston Ho
W.S. Winston Ho

"We are very fortunate and grateful to have state-of-the-art facilities, which are conducive to excellent teaching, transformative research, and innovative technologies. The new laboratories are critical for our department to further contribute to Ohio and our nation in the energy, water, environmental and biomolecular engineering areas. They will also increase our student enrollment and enhance students’ learning and lives." -Winston Ho, Distinguished Professor of Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; NAE member


“The new CBEC building is the best department building I have ever seen, and it played an essential role in my decision to join the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. I believe I will have wonderful research and teaching experiences in this amazing building, thanks to all the generous donors.” -Li-Chiang Lin, Assistant Professor beginning Fall 2016


 

Billy Blincoe
Billy Blincoe

"The move to CBEC has been tremendous for the development and educational experience of the Chem E Car team. The upgrade allows us to work in a safe and clean environment and to gain invaluable hands-on experience working in a modern chemical engineering lab. We could not be happier with the transition and are excited for the future of Chem E Car!" -Billy Blincoe, Class of 2016, on behalf of the ChemE Car Team


 

Bryan Hobocienski
Bryan Hobocienski
“Contributions from generous donors have allowed us to expand the educational experiences we can offer students. For instance, we were able to purchase an ultrasonic flow meter, a digital device utilizing sound waves to measure flow velocities in pipes. This is far more accurate than the “bead method” we used previously, and better prepares students for real-world experiences because it is commercial-grade equipment.” -Bryan Hobocienski, ’11, ’14, and currently a 2nd-year PhD student with Jim Rathman

 

Bob Brodkey
Bob Brodkey

“When I came to Ohio State in 1957, there were no clearly defined funds, either locally or federally, for the purchase of equipment or support of teaching. Luckily, when the first Koffolt Labs building came online, we had about a million dollars alotted for equipment and lab furniture.This is what alumni contributions now replace!! Thanks to contributions from alumni, our young faculty have a real chance to establish themselves and prepare for the tenure decision coming to each of them in just a few years.” -Bob Brodkey, Professor Emeritus.

 


Koffolt Committee looks to the future

Members of the Campaign for New Koffolt Laboratories committee, now referred to simply as the "Koffolt Committee," met on campus in April 2015 to attend the Koffolt Laboratories Grand Opening events and to celebrate successfully completing the campaign. The committee discussed initiatives within the department and how fundraising could support the department's growth, strategizing about how to continue to engage alumni and donors who wish to make an impact. 

Events for the Grand Opening celebration ended with a special dinner honoring committee chairman and department namesake William G. Lowrie, '66. This event celebrated Lowrie's vision for a new Koffolt Laboratories, which took over 20 years to realize, and his perserverance in bringing the dream to life. What motivated him throughout, he said, is the belief that one day, this department will become one of the top ten in the nation.The support provided by the brand new facilities will certainly move us closer to that goal and we are forever indebted to Mr. Lowrie for his steadfast support.

At the fall meeting, new chairman Andre Palmer shared his vision and strategic plan for the department and committee members discussed goals related to this vision.


Payback: Alumni honor "The Brodkey" with scholarshp fund

 

Former students of Professor Brodkey at the dinner celebrating the Brodkey Scholarship Fund
Former students of Professor Brodkey at the dinner celebrating the Brodkey Scholarship Fund included Miguel Garcia, Tom Heeb, Kris and Leonore Lakshmanan, Bill Lee, Jon Lee, Clement Opoku, Jim Sauer, Sung and Yoon Soon, Gary Tatterson, Catherine Winklosky, Scott Westfall, Fernando Muzzio, and Paul Woosley.

L.-S. Fan was the first to describe the impact Professor Bob Brodkey had had on his life: Brodkey was a factor in his decision to come to OSU, where he’s been ever since. 

“I looked at a lot of schools and met Bob at OSU,” he said, then paused. “I think you liked me very much at the time,” he added with a wry smile to Dr. Brodkey.

The audience chuckled, but then nodded in agreement when Fan said, “I recognized that Brodkey was ahead of his time. His influential turbulence research is a masterpiece of contribution.”

Brodkey’s influence extends to the legions of students he taught since joining Ohio State in 1958. And last year, one of those former students had an idea.

Kris Lakshmanan (‘83) decided that it was time to ‘pay it forward,’ and it made the most sense to honor Brodkey. He decided to create an endowed scholarship with the help of his fellow alumni.

“It was easy,” Lakshmanan said. “Nearly everyone we contacted wanted to participate.”

Kris was soon joined by classmates Bill Lee ('83) and Tom Heeb ('83), and in the end, 35 people funded the first-ever graduate-level scholarship for a CBE student by giving an average of $1,300 each. The initial goal was $50,000, but volunteers were ecstatic to reach $98,000. Thanks to additional gifts, the fund has just crossed the $100k threshold, which means that two students will now be able to benefit.

“The scholarship is a lot like a signing bonus - frosting on the cake to attract the best grad students,” Brodkey explained at remarks on Friday, August 28, where faculty and Brodkey’s former students had joined for a special evening to celebrate the success of the project. 

Guests took turns describing how Bob had influenced their lives. 

“I am one of the rogue professors that Robert created,” said Gary Tatterson ('74, '77). “I’ll never forget the time we stopped traffic on 101 in San Francisco. The cliffs and caves underneath 101 were riddled with phosphorous oxide, and provided a nice opportunity for an experiment. Well, a chemical reaction created a cloud and the smoke came streaming up through a crack in the road. People wouldn’t cross it!” Tatterson recounted.

“The good thinking part was getting the hell out of there,” quipped Bob. The jibes continued when Dr. David Tomasko took the stage.

“Everyone here deserves to hear what working with you has been like,” said Tomasko, “although, I’m not really sure I’ve ever observed you working, per se,” Tomasko said.

After dozens of guests told their stories of how Bob had encouraged, befriended, challenged, and inspired them, the scholarship recipient himself was motivated to speak. 

“After listening to all the wonderful stories, I feel very honored to receive this scholarship,” said Kai Chen, a fluid dynamics student who is at the top of his class.

“I would like to thank the professor and his students who made this happen. I’m sure there will be many more students to benefit. I’m grateful to be a part of it,” Chen said.

Brodkey wrapped up the evening with some heartfelt comments. 

“You’ve all said that I stretched your mind and forced you to solve problems, but I want to comment on how hard I had to work to keep up with YOU. I hope that the scholarshp helps to inspire whomever has that office in the future. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

 

Kai Chen and Professor Brodkey
Kai Chen and Professor Brodkey

Kai Chen, the first recipient of the Dr. Robert S. Brodkey Endowed Scholarship, poses with Bob Brodkey next to a poster signed by the evening’s guests. Chen holds Brodkey’s book, “The Phenomena of Fluid Motions,” acclaimed as the world’s premier graduate-level book in fluid dynamics, which took 15 years to write. Each guest received a copy. 


2015-16 UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

A total of 155 students were awarded undergraduate scholarships in the Chemical & Biomolecular program. The vast majority of those students were current majors, although a small amount went to recruit high ability first year students as well. A total of $268,100 was awarded to students heading into the 2015-2016 school year. The average award was $1,729 this year compared to $1,242 the previous year. 

Trends in data from financial aid show that the number and amount of both student and parent loans have been increasing. Both Ohio State tuition and University financial support have increased yearly. However, since the increase in scholarship support hasn’t been able to keep up with tuition increases, engineering students and their families have had to increase their debt levels to cover the additional costs. In the Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department, department scholarships from alumni and corporate donors help defray a small part of the loans burden for many of our students.

Department scholarships are determined mainly by need, however, when a scholarship specifies that a student’s merit be considered, both merit and need are taken into account. We thank those of our alumni who have established scholarship endowments for this purpose as well as our corporate donors who provide scholarships on an annual basis.  

Robert W. Adams Memorial Scholarship

Barger, Mark Matthew

Helmers, Ryan J.

Miller, Sean Patrick

Mullinger, Mary Katherine

 

Harold W. Almen Scholarship

Butti, Bryce Alexander

Forkey, Jarrett Reno

Kopechek, David Joseph

Kriner, Robert Joseph

Nowicki, Kevin Michael

Pattanaik, Lagnajit

Rodriguez, Lucas Moses

 

Paul Bates Scholarship

Abdalhalim, Yaadata Mohamed

Herron, Jacquelynn Lauren

Kisare, Justin

Peters, Jasmine Nicole

Sims, Marquis Symone

 

The Bazell Scholarship in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Abukar, Fatima

Fox, Emily

Habbart, Brittany

 

The George S. Bonn Scholarship

Dai, Wen

Jing, Shuxin

Na, Jing

Pan, Jie

Shi, Xutao

Wang, Ziwei

Wen, Yunhan

Wong, Ka Heen Gary

 

J.R. Boothe Scholarship Fund

Peters, Jasmine Nicole

 

William I. Burt Memorial Scholarship Fund

Alkhatib, Hussein Badr

Bartholomew, Mark James

Bederman, Dylan

Brackman, Erica Lynn

Brandon, John Ross

Braun, Nicholas Aloysius

Broseus, Amanda May

De Leon Jr., Rafael Estuardo

Gearheart, Christopher Aaron

Goldenbagen, Kennedy Marie

Gruss, Christian Cody

Gustafson, Kathryn Elizabeth

Hofacre, Kyle Paul

Janini, Edward Thomas

Kane, Corey Scott

Kimmel, Matthew Allen

Kramer, Nathaniel Allen

McLain, Kyle Robert

McHugh, Marissa Kathleen

Newmyer, Andrew Grant

Peterson, Gabriel Kaesy

Sieradzki, Edward Jacob

Steffan, Lisa M

Whiteman, Benjamin Charles

Whitten, Jane Amelia

Wood, Austin James

Young, Gabrielle Marie

Zaccarella, Anthony

 

The Bernice L. Claugus Endowed Scholarship Fund in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Abdalhalim, Yaadata Mohamed

Back, Steven Richard

Breiding, James Elliot

Bresson, Julianne Noel

Cambraia, Jody

Empfield, Abbey Mae

Forkey, Jarrett Reno

Harrell, Ellen Marie

Homsy, Michael Louis

Hoover, Anthony David

Jokerst, Mitchell Allen

Kopcha, Shannon Victoria

Lin, Jonathan

Molitoris, Kathryn Marie

Sandvik, Peter Olaf

Sands, Matthew Robert

Seibel, Nicole Anne

 

The James F. and Patricia C. Dietz Engineering Scholarships Fund

Fletcher, Charles C

McAlister, Anne

Young, Gabrielle Marie

 

Dorothy J. & Herbert L. Fenburr Scholarship

Brasile, Bryan William

Bresson, Julianne Noel

Brewer, Bryan Joe

Cambraia, Jody

Carver, Faith Anne

Empfield, Abbey Mae

Forkey, Jarrett Reno

Gabanic, Alexander Mitchell

Herron, Jacquelynn Lauren

Hoffman, Lauren Paige

Homsy, Michael Louis

Inoue, Matthew Kenta

Jenkins, Travis John

Kane, Corey Scott

Khawaja, Natasha

Kolliopoulos, Panayiotis Konstantinou

March, Lauren Ann

McCullough, Tyler Jordan

Meilstrup, Jordan Andrew

Qian, Kyle Yonglun

Rahme, Tarik Wafic

Rezek, Eva Marie

Sample, Natalie Faye

Satija, Ayesha

Strutz, Jonathan Robert

Westfall, Jesse James

Withers, Adam Chase

 

David H. George Chemical Engineering Scholarship

Abukar, Fatima

Bleasdale,Donald

Drees,Michael

Fox, Emily

Habbart, Brittany

Lertola,Matthew

Williger,Paul

 

Allan I. Gordon Undergraduate Scholarship for Study in Biochemical Engineering

Hlinomaz, Eric James

Zhang, Michael Hanzhe

 

Todd David Harris Memorial Scholarship

Kimmel, Blaise

 

William R. & Doris M. Harris Scholarship in Chemical Engineering

Colley, Joshua Bruce

Gemler, Bryan Thomas

Kirk, Robert

Lyons, Sarah Elizabeth

Meilstrup, Jordan Andrew

Moon, Kirtus

Partyka, Yuriy

Sieradzki, Edward Jacob

Spanos, Alexander Patrick

Wood, Austin James

 

Milton & Karen Hendricks Scholarship

Campo, Rachael

 

Smith E. Howland Scholarship

Gower, Mitchell

 

The Samuel S. and Grace Hook Johnston Memorial Chemical Engineering Scholarship Fund

Ritz, David

 

Webster B. Kay Scholarship in Chemical Engineering

Molitoris, Kathryn Marie

Whiteman, Benjamin Charles

 

Lubrizol Foundation Scholarship

Baker, Hillary

Falascino, Eric Joseph

Gallagher, Regina Christine

Jenkins, Griffin Alan

 

The Tom and Gail Reardon Chemical Engineering Scholarship Fund

Kise, Jana Pauline

 

Pankaj Shah Chemical Engineering Scholarship Fund

Empfield, Abbey

Gemler, Bryan

 

The Howard R. Steele Memorial Scholarship in Chemical Engineering

Goggins, Julia

Myer, Eleanor

Saud, Denvir

 

Aldrich Syverson Scholarship

Keller, Mikaela

Kimmel, Blaise Russel

Young, Gabrielle Marie

 

H. Richard Unkel Chemical Engineering Class of 1941

Baur, Emily Noelle

Froats, Joshua Michael

McGrogan, John William

Olson, Nathaniel

Walasinski, Alison Grace

Weisman, Benjamin David

 

Harry B. Warner Scholarship

Butler, Brittney

 

William H. Whirl Scholarship

Curtis, Emma Grace

 

The Michael D. Winfield Scholarship

Watson, Lucas Joseph

 

Fred H. Winterkamp Memorial Scholarship

Falascino, Eric Joseph

Harris, Nicholas Daniel

Hudson, Paul Wesley

Lawver, Angela Carol