Late engineering alumnus Bob Kearns '51, was the focus of a major motion picture, Flash of Genius, released in October. The movie explores Kearns' development of the intermittent windshield wiper and his determination to gain rightful recognition for his invention.

In a Sept. 23 Detroit Free Press article, Kearns' son Dennis recalls his father as "a very principled guy. He graduated from U of D college where you have the Jesuit education… They teach you idealism. They teach you principles. They teach you to put your money where your mouth is. And that's what he taught to his students and me."

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The Secretary of Commerce appointed Harendra Ghandi, Henry Ford Technical Fellow-Catalyst Emissions at Ford Motor Company, to two committees for the selection of national technology medalists and innovation award winners. Ghandi was previously honored by President George Bush for his technology research and innovation. He currently chairs the Ford-UDM E&S Steering Committee and is a past E&S Alumnus of the Year recipient.

Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry Shulamith Schlick gave a lecture at the General Motors Fuel Cell Center in September based on her fuel cell research. While at GM, she had the opportunity to drive the Equinox, GM's fuel cell-powered car.

The following new faulty members joined the College this fall:

• Stephanie B. Connat, Biology
• Mihaela I. Deseinicu, Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Richard Hill, Mechanical Engineering
• Darrelll Kleinke, Mechanical Engineering
• Nart Shawash, Math and Computer Science

In association with WARM Training Center, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Nihad Dukhan implemented a service-learning program last winter in which students use what they're learning about heat transfer to help elderly and disabled people install energy saving materials in their homes.

Associate Professor of Biology James Graves and undergraduate student Gordon Pocialik gave the poster presentation, "Isolation of Highly Beta-Hemolytic Bacteria for Undergraduate Education," at the 2007 spring meeting of the Michigan branch of the American Society For Microbiology, April 14 in Detroit.  The education research project focuses on bacteria effects on blood, Bacillus cereus (which is a common cause of food poisoning), and the differences between B. cereus and B. anthracis (which causes anthrax).

College of Engineering & Science Dean Leo Hanifin's speech to the Center for Automotive Research prompted coverage in Wired magazine's "Autopia" blog in an entry titled "With China rising, Detroit needs engineers ASAP." See related article.

Professor of Mathematics John O'Neill, S.J., retired from the Math & Computer Sciences department after 44 years.  He was acknowledged for his service at the President's Convocation in August.