College of Engineering alumni, faculty, staff and guests gathered in April to induct two new members into the college’s Hall of Fame and recognize 18 graduates with Distinguished Alumni and Early Career awards.
The black-tie event featured dinner and an awards ceremony led by Dean Kim Needy and co-hosts Pam McGinnis and Lauren Kegley, with remarks by U of A interim Chancellor
Charles Robinson. McGinnis is chair of the college’s Dean’s Advisory Council and Kegley is chair of the Early Career Advisory Council.
The two new inductees to the Hall of Fame were: L. Lee Johns Lane (M.S.O.R. 1974, Ph.D. Engineering 1976), retired vice president and co-owner of Autek Systems Inc., a privately held defense company; and Charles “Micky” Mayfield (B.S.E.E. 1964), retired sales vice president of Siemens Nokia.
Alumna Lauren Kegley, left, and Dean Kim Needy, right, congratulate Ailon Haileyesus on her Early Career Award.
Alumnus Jeff Amerine accepts congratulations for his Distinguished Alumni Award from Dean Kim Needy. Alumnus Jeff Amerine accepts congratulations for his Distinguished Alumni Award from Dean Kim Needy.
A historic night at the College of Engineering’s Alumni Awards Banquet included L. Lee Johns Lane, second from right, becoming the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame. She’s joined by College of Engineering leadership, left to right: Lauren Kegley, chair of the Early Career Advisory Council; Kim Needy, dean; and Pam McGinnis, chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council.
Pictured, left to right, are Early Career Award recipients John Teeter, Rebecca Logsdon Muenich, Michael Taiwo, Derek Martin, Stephanie Clark Lee, Lauren Lowe, Ailon Haileyesus, Andrew Bailey and Tola Komolu.
Mayfield’s promise showed early, as he was recognized as outstanding senior of his class in 1964. His career in telecommunications spanned an era from telegraph being phased out to the advancement of global, high-speed wireless technology. His leadership roles as an alumnus have included active service on
Mayfield was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2014, while Lane received that honor in 2010.
Lane was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. from the College of Engineering and became the first woman named to the Hall of Fame on Saturday. She began her career teaching computing before being recruited by General Dynamics to guide engineers in using databases. She continued working in aerospace, including the then-classified B-2 bomber program, and co-founded the defense company Autek Systems.
the Dean’s Advisory Council, induction to the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineers and many years of service on its board (including as vice president and president), during which he embraced the college’s goals and persuaded many fellow alumni to give back.
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation John English and his wife, Elizabeth, share a laugh during the program.
Needy noted the significance of Lee’s induction at the same time women are serving as the college’s dean and chairs of its advisory councils.
“It’s truly a historic moment for the college as we strive to be more inclusive and to recognize women’s contributions in engineering,” Needy said. “Lee paved the way for me and for women succeeding in disciplines once considered not to be suited for us.”
Lauren Kegley, Michael Taiwo and Dean Kim Needy
Pictured, left to right, are Distinguished Alumni Award recipients Thomas Newton, Michael Mourot, Jeff Amerine, Brad Jackson, Melissa Summerlin Tooley, Gaven Smith, Leon Wittmer and Chuck Tilmon.
Dean Kim Needy, center, celebrates with Hall of Fame inductees L. Lee Johns Lane, left, and Charles “Micky” Mayfield, right.
Chancellor Emeritus John A. White and his wife, Mary Lib, greet Hall of Fame inductee L. Lee Johns Lane.
2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards
Jeff Amerine, M.S.O.M. 2009
Kevin Henry, B.S.B.A.E. 1999
Brad M. Jackson, B.S.C.S. 1983
Michael W. Mourot, B.S.Ch.E. 1976, M.S.Ch.E. 1977
Thomas H. Newton Jr., B.S.M.E. 1982, M.S.M.E. 1984
Gaven Smith, B.S.Cmp.E. 2000
Chuck Tilmon, B.S.I.E. 1994, M.S.I.E. 1996
Melissa Summerlin Tooley, M.S.C.E. 1994,Ph.D. civil engineering 1997
Leon Wittmer, B.S.E.E. 1975, M.S.E.E. 1976
2022 Early Career Alumni Awards
Andrew Bailey, B.S.Cmp.E. 2007, M.S.Cmp.E. 2009
Ailon Haileyesus, B.S.Bm.E. 2016
Tola Kumolu, M.S.Telecommunications 2007, M.S.O.M. 2009
Stephanie Clark Lee, B.S.M.E. 2010, M.S.M.E. 2012
Lauren Lowe, B.S.I.E. 2007
Derek Martin, M.S.O.M. 2013;
Rebecca Logsdon Muenich, B.S.B.E. 2009
Michael Taiwo, Ph.D. chemical engineering 2021
John M. Teeter, B.S.C.E. 2007.