Engineering Makes a World of Difference
Vol. 5 No. 2 – Fall 2022
Students in the News
Congratulations to the students and staff in the Department of Civil, Coastal and Environmental Engineering who received the following awards:

  • Masters student Giacomo Deluca III was announced as the Second Place Winner of the student Oral Presentation Competition at the 2022 Alabama Water Resources Conference.
  • Masters student Tabassum Islam won the student poster competition at the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA ) National Conference.
  • Postdoctoral researcher Amal Bakchan earned second place for best presentation at the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Mega-Conference.
Engineering Laboratories
Undergraduate Laboratory Equipment Campaign

The College of Engineering has launched an initiative to enhance our laboratories in Shelby Hall. These labs provide our students with hands-on experience and ensure that they are prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation. Your gift, of any amount, will have an immediate impact on our students and their future careers. To learn more about specific needs of each department, click Engineering Labs.
Faculty Research
Dr. Na Gong, front, is leading an artificial intelligence research team in a $6 million National Science Foundation project. Her South colleagues in the program include, left to right, Dr. Clive Woods, Dr. Hulya Kirkici, Dr. Mohamed Shaban and Dr. Jinhui Wang. For the full article, click The Edge of Artificial Intelligence.
Dr. Spencer, Associated Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, is a Co-PI on an NSF-EPSCoR grant led by the University of Alabama-Huntsville that will develop transformative technologies in plasma science and engineering. See
Faculty in the News
Dr. Shenghua Wu, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering wants to create a solid waste sustainability hub connecting higher education institutes, community partners, and students from both college and K-12. He recently received an Environmental Education award of $100,000 from EPA that will help to establish it at the University of South Alabama. For the full article, click on The Sustainable Life.
A multi-university NOAA research project has received a USDOT/FHWA Environmental Excellence Award. This award recognizes outstanding transportation projects that incorporate environmental stewardship. This joint project between Auburn University, the University of South Alabama, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison is working to develop an approach that evaluates road damage from heavy rainfall and the effectiveness of nature-based approaches to mitigate rainfall impacts in Alabama.
Dr. Bret Webb, a Professor in the Civil, Coastal, and Environmental Engineering Department is the principal investigator here. For more details, go to NOAA, FHWA - Environmental Excellence Awards
Congratulations to Dr. Sean Walker, (left) Assistant Professor in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department on receiving the annual Tau Beta Pi, Professor of the Year Award!

"This year's Tau Beta Pi Professor of the Year was chosen for being very relatable and approachable. He has the admiration of all his students and shows genuine interest in them by always responding promptly, explaining material patiently until each individual understands, and being extremely involved in department activities."
-Mason Brasher, Tau Beta Pi President
Congratulations to Dr. Jinhui Wang (left), Associate Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, for receiving the University of South Alabama's National Alumni Association - Beth and Don Davis Excellence in Advising Award. 
Faculty, Staff, & Students
Twelve middle school and high school teachers, from Mobile and Baldwin counties participated in this year’s Research Experiences for Teachers program (two teachers were not present for the photo).

The Leadership Team includes, Dr. Silas Leavesley, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Dr. Jinhui Wang, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Dr. Na Gong, Warren Nicholson Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; and Dr. Shenghua Zha, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Instructional Sciences. For the full article, see South Research Experience for Teachers.
"Top Prof" Recognition

Congratulations to these College of Engineering faculty for their recognition by student members as a "Top Prof" through the Sally Steadman Azalea Chapter of the Mortar Board Honor Society.

Dr. Sean Walker, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Dr. Silas Leavesley, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Dr. Christy West, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Dr. Eric Steward, Civil, Coastal, and Environmental Engineering
Dr. Carlos Montalvo, Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering
Dr. John Steadman, Electrical and Computer Engineering
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) Theta Lambda Chapter in the University of South Alabama is recognized as a Key Chapter of 2021-22. The recognition is given to a handful of chapters that participate in activities identified as the best practices of successful chapters, by completing all of the core essentials of HKN and at least three of the Chapter engagement and/or outreach events. IEEE-HKN has 268 chapters across the globe, in 2021-22, only about 15% of them are recognized as a Key Chapter. 

Congratulations to USA's IEEE-HKN Chapter on this recognition!
Save the Dates
Friday, Feb. 17, 2023: E-Day Career Fair - Interested in participating? Register your company today!
March 9-11, 2023: ASCE Annual Student Symposium
Friday, April 14, 2023: 17th Annual College of Engineering Alumni Society Golf Tournament - Interested in participating? Register your team today!
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 (12pm-5pm): Senior Design Symposium - Contact the College of Engineering Departments if you're interested in serving as a judge
Thank you to our 2022 College of Engineering Tailgate Sponsors!

  • Saturday, Sept. 3rd: Hosted by Thompson Engineering
  • Saturday, Sept. 24th: Hosted by Hargrove Engineers + Constructors
  • Saturday, Oct. 15th: Hosted by Airbus
  • Thursday, Oct. 20th: Hosted by Orion Engineering
  • Saturday, Nov. 12th: Hosted by AM/NS Calvert & BASF
  • Saturday, Nov. 26th: Hosted by Terracon Consultants, LLC
Host an Engineering Information Session

We are looking for guest speakers interested in sharing their engineering experiences with our current students as well as companies interested in sharing the types of activities in which their engineers are involved. We can host in-person or virtual meetings.

Please contact the College of Engineering for more information.
College of Engineering Alumni Polos
College of Engineering Alumni polos are currently for sale! If you're interested in ordering a polo, orders can be placed and paid for online: Alumni Polo Order. We have several sizes and colors in stock. If we don't have your size or preferred color, the next order will go out in the Spring. All proceeds go towards the College of Engineering Alumni Society Scholarship. Polos are priced at $39.50 (shipping/handling included).

The polos are crafted using performance material and are offered in men's and women's sizes in the following colors: Black, Charcoal Grey, Navy Blue, Red, and White. Below is an example of a red polo with the USA alumni logo.
College of Engineering
150 Student Services Dr., Shelby Hall 2114
Mobile, AL 36688