Antonella Albuja鈥檚 doctoral degree in aerospace engineering just became more valuable, as did the educational, research and career prospects of those who follow her in the Smead Program.
A new gift to the College of Engineering and Applied Science from passionate supporters Ann Smead and her husband, Michael Byram, are helping to make this possible and strengthening Colorado鈥檚 aerospace economy in the process. With support totaling more than $15 million, the family aims to set 精品SM在线影片 apart from its aerospace peers and propel it to the top of national rankings by attracting the best and brightest doctoral students - like Albuja 鈥� as well as outstanding young faculty in aerospace engineering.
Smead Program alumna Antonella Albuja after a hike on the Lake Isabelle Trail
To celebrate their support, 精品SM在线影片 has named the 鈥淎nn and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences鈥� in honor of Ann and H.J. 鈥淛oe鈥� Smead, an engineering alumnus, industry executive and Ann鈥檚 husband prior to his passing in 2003.
Albuja, 27, now working for The Aerospace Corp. in El Segundo, California, said she was 鈥渂lown away鈥� when she learned of the generous support.听
鈥淚 am a bit speechless after hearing that number,鈥� said Albuja, whose dedication as a student and willingness to grow as a leader make her a shining example of a Smead Scholar. 鈥淭his provides CU with a tremendous amount of resources and allows CU to grow and continue to be at the top of the field and to attract the best candidates in the graduate school program - and even undergraduates, as the department鈥檚 reputation grows.鈥�
The family created the Smead Fellows Program in 2006 to support the aerospace engineering studies of two new doctoral students annually. The fully endowed program enables students (renamed 鈥淪mead Scholars鈥�) the academic freedom to explore their primary research interests while being mentored by world-class faculty and advisors. Smead Scholars also receive professional development training in leadership, project management, grant writing and ethics, and attend prestigious workshops, seminars and lectures around the world through throughout their graduate studies.
Bobby Braun, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, former NASA chief technologist and nationally known aerospace leader, described the gifts as 鈥渢ransformational鈥� for the college, the university and the state.
鈥淎nn and Michael know that building a world-class aerospace program requires dedication, vision
and the passion of a community of innovators,鈥� Braun said.
Benefactors Michael Bryan and Ann Smead
A personal touch
The most important aspect of the program to students like Albuja is how much Smead and Byram, leaders in their Vail Valley community, care about students.
鈥淭he financial aspect is very helpful, but the best part of being a Smead Scholar is my interactions with Ann and Michael,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey genuinely care about us. Not just as an investment, but as people.鈥�
Byram and Smead talked to Albuja about how she was handling stress during her studies. They were very excited when she got married to Dan Lubey, another Smead Scholar. When Albuja and Lubey bought a condo, Smead and Byram sent a thoughtful housewarming gift.
Ann Smead said it was a joy to see the transformation of Albuja from a shy graduate student to a confident young professional presenting papers around the world.
鈥淭heir involvement leaves you feeling like you鈥檙e part of something that鈥檚 much greater than you,鈥� Albuja said. 鈥淭hey really want to open up doors for you to be able to build your network and succeed in your career so you can actually make a difference.鈥�
The legacy of Joe Smead
H.J. 鈥淛oe鈥� Smead (1925-2003), a native of Spokane, Washington, graduated from the 精品SM在线影片 in 1946 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in electrical engineering. Joe was able to attend CU through the U.S. Navy鈥檚 WWII V-12 program and upon graduation served as an ensign aboard the USS Columbia. He subsequently earned a master鈥檚 degree from the University of Washington and a PhD from Purdue University. From 1954 to 1973, Joe was employed in electronic systems engineering by Litton Industries and Teledyne Corp. He became president and CEO of Kaiser Aerospace and Electronics Corp. in 1974. He continued to lead the company as president, CEO and chairman until 1999.
Joe was a leading member of the 精品SM在线影片 Aerospace Engineering Sciences鈥� volunteer External Advisory Board and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Seebass Endowed Chair in Aerospace Engineering Sciences. For his many professional accomplishments and volunteer commitment to CU Engineering, he was awarded the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award.听
Smead had a lifelong passion for learning. He quietly, and typically anonymously, supported scholarships and teaching programs as he recognized his responsibility to give back to that which had helped him achieve and accomplish so much.
From left, Dan Lubey, Ryan Skinner, Conor Benson, Antonella Albuja, Marielle Pellegrino, Michael Byran, JoAnna Fulton, Shaylah Mutschler, Ann Smead, Ann Dietrich, Andrew Harris, Jason Roadman
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