Sources: Fred Hasler, 785-532-5964, fhasler@k-state.edu;
Julia Keen, 785-532-3575, jkeen@k-state.edu; and
Jeremy Dreiling, jeremy@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Andy Badeker, 785-532-6415, abadeker@k-state.edu
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
ENGINEERING SOCIETY HONORS ADVISERS OF K-STATE STUDENT GROUP
MANHATTAN -- A dedication to connecting their students with the world beyond campus has won national recognition for two faculty members in Kansas State University's department of architectural engineering and construction science.
Julia Keen, an assistant professor, and Fred Hasler, instructor, have been named advisers of the year by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers for their work with K-State's student branch of the organization. It is the first year for the award. They'll be presented with a plaque at the society's January 2008 meeting in New York, where they once again will lead a group of students on an off-campus adventure.
Jeremy Dreiling, fifth-year architectural engineering student, Hays, is president of the K-State student chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. He nominated Keen and Hasler for their zeal in increasing membership, for creating learning opportunities and for their knack at having a good time.
Trips included tours of Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City and the Loren Cook Co., a maker of ventilating equipment in Springfield, Mo. A highlight was the students' trip to the international American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers conference and expo in Dallas, a major focus of the year's planning and fundraising. Keen also hosted a potluck and a cookout.
She has been advising the group since she came to K-State four years ago.
"I was involved as a student myself," Keen said, "and I've been active in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers since then, at different levels, so for me to go into advising just made sense.
"I want to promote the organization, and I know that getting students involved at this stage is likely to get them involved at the professional level."
"Julia and I also help them make contact with industry folks, like contractors, manufacturers' representatives and designers," Hasler said, "and they come in and give talks occasionally."
Giving students the chance to see what's new in the industry and how their studies might relate is another goal, Keen said. "Seeing those lightbulbs go off, that's part of the reward."
Another reward came this year when the K-State entry in the society's annual international design competition took first place in the system-selection category.
"The basis of it is that Julia and I are more than happy to give our time to participate with these students," Hasler said. "They make me proud."