In a recent report published by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), the MSU Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering was included in a list of top programs in terms of the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2004-2005. We awarded 34 IE degrees placing us among the top 30% in the nation. Schools behind MSU include Arizona, Auburn, Central Florida, Louisiana State University, and Tennessee-Knoxville. MSU’s Chemical Engineering was also a top program.

Professor John UsherProfessor John Usher is the Principal Investigator for an $837,540 grant from the United States Department of Transportation. Professors Lesley Strawderman and Royce Bowden are also involved with the project. The focus of the research program will be on the development of methodologies and software algorithms necessary for realistic simulation of pedestrian traffic at intermodal connector facilities such as airports, subway terminals, and bus stations. The research will involve other members of the ISE faculty as the project matures to encompass aspects of the transportation system that passengers connect with such as the air transport system, highway system, and railway system. ISE undergraduate and graduate students will be an integral part of the research.

Contact John Usher at (662) 325-7624 for additional information.

Brian Porter, a senior in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Columbia, recently became the first cooperative education student to participate in the Mississippi State, Bagley College of Engineering Six Sigma Certificate program during a co-op work semester. Brian’s co-op employer is Shaw Industries, located in Dalton, Georgia.

Six Sigma is a methodology, widely used in the business world, that provides organizations with the tools to improve the capability of their processes. Six Sigma facilitates reductions in variation and waste in businesses, providing for continuous improvement in output, efficiency, and customer service. Over time, this approach enables processes to approach entitlement, “becoming the best that they can be.” Shaw Industries is an avid proponent of the six sigma concept, applying it in all aspects of their business. MSU initiated the Six Sigma Certificate Program for students in 2005.

Brian initially approached MSU’s Director of Six Sigma, Larry Dalton of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, with the concept. Dalton, Melody DuBard Beaty and Mike Mathews visited Shaw Industries to propose the idea. Shaw Director of Quality, Chester Chaffin, agreed to the proposal and scheduled Brian for Shaw Six Sigma Green Belt Training beginning in January of 2006. At the same time, Brian is enrolled in the MSU academic course, IE4923, Six Sigma Methods & Project during the spring 2006 semester.

A requirement of both the Shaw and MSU six sigma programs is that Brian conduct and successfully complete a “real world” six sigma project. Brian’s project involves improving the logistics of material transportation, via a tractor-trailer, between two of Shaw’s manufacturing plants. His goal is to improve the process by approximately 60% compared to past history for the same activity.

During the course of the training and project, numerous experienced six sigma professionals at Shaw as well as Mr. Dalton at MSU supported Brian. Dalton believes this sort of activity is a beneficial experience for all involved and predicts that more students will follow in Brian’s footsteps. “Since more and more businesses are becoming practitioners of the six sigma methodology, this sort of joint effort becomes possible. It can be particularly significant for both co-op students and their employers,” Dalton said.

For more information concerning the joint Six Sigma and Co-op Program, contact Dalton at 662-325-0570 or the Co-op staff at 662-325-3823.

Dr. Burak EksiogluDr. Burak Eksioglu tied for first place in the Bagley College of Engineering 2006 Outstanding Research Paper competition.

His paper titled “Subset Selection in Multiple Linear Regression: a New Mathematical Programming Approach” was published in Computers and Industrial Engineering.

Dr. Eksioglu is most deserving of this significant recognition.

University Relations News Bureau (662) 325-3442 Contact: Sammy McDavid April 21, 2006

STARKVILLE, Miss.–Seven students and a faculty member are being recognized for outstanding achievements by the Shackouls Honors College at Mississippi State.

The university’s honors program, largest and oldest of its kind in the state, presented the awards at its recent end-of-school-year ceremony. Also earlier this month, the 38-year-old program was redesignated as the Shackouls Honors College following the announcement of a $10 million gift by MSU alumnus Bobby Shackouls and his wife Judy of Houston, Texas.

Enrolling more than 1,000 academically talented students in small classes, the college is designed to foster inquiry and in-depth learning. Led by veteran psychology professor Nancy McCarley, it is a charter member of the Southern Regional Honors Council.

Ratnasingham Shivaji of the department of mathematics and statistics was recognized as the Outstanding Honors Faculty Member. A former department head who earned a doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, he currently holds one of the highest MSU faculty ranks as a William L. Giles Distinguished Professor.

Students honored at the program include (by hometown):

BILOXI–Douglas O. Lamm, Outstanding Honors Freshman Award. The son of Kathryn Lamm and David Lamm, he is an MSU President’s List Scholar seeking a double-major in mathematics and insurance, risk management and financial planning.

HOMEWOOD, Ala.–Jennifer S. Rupinski, John L. Tilley Outstanding Senior Award. Attending MSU on a Presidential Scholarship–one of the two highest academic recognitions given to entering freshmen–she is the daughter of Patrick and Mary Rupinski. Named two years ago as the outstanding honors sophomore and currently serving as the honors council’s vice chair for administration, she is being honored with the award named for the program’s founding director. She also is a President’s List Scholar.

MADISON, Ala.–Andrew D. Lindeman, Outstanding Honors Sophomore Award. An MSU President’s List Scholar and computer science major, he is the son of Philip and Loma Lindeman. He is attending the university on a Presidential Scholarship–one of the two highest academic recognitions given to entering freshmen.

MADISON–Senior Kyle A. Frazier, 2006 Outstanding Honors Student. An MSU President’s List Scholar scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in civil engineering, he is the son of Terry and Esther Frazier. Current chair of the Shackouls Honors College Council, he also was named recently as the Bagley College of Engineering’s Outstanding Civil Engineering Student–the latest of several major recognitions earned in connection with his academic major.

PINSON, Ala.–Junior Kimberly E. Daugherty, winner of the Jack H. White Outstanding Honors Service Award. An industrial engineering major and the daughter of Gary and Becky Daugherty, she is being recognized for continuing volunteer efforts with a special recognition named for the program’s former director.

RIDGELAND–Daniel G. Cranford, one of two selected for the Outstanding Honors Junior Award. An MSU President’s List Scholar and computer science major, he is the son of Dr. Dennis and Julia Cranford.

RIVER RIDGE, La.–Brian L. Schilling, one of two selected for the Outstanding Honors Junior Award. An MSU President’s List Scholar seeking a double major in aerospace engineering and mathematics, he is the son of Emile and Patricia Schilling. Earlier at the university, he was selected for the Aerospace Engineering Freshman of the Year Award.