The annual School of Engineering awards banquet was held April 27 in the South Campus banquet facility. The keynote speaker was Sheila Widnall, Secretary of the U.S. Air Force from 1993-1997 and one of America's most celebrated engineers. Widnall, who now holds an endowed chair at MIT, discussed the future of technology in education and its economic impacts on the nation. The event drew nearly 450 School of Engineering students, faculty and alumni, University officials, and corporate executives from many Connecticut companies.

More than 80 awards and scholarships, totaling nearly $150,000, were presented to current undergraduate engineering students for academic excellence.

Two UConn engineering graduates received Distinguished Alumni Awards: construction magnate Charles Klewin and Michael Hartnett, president of Roller Bearings Company of America.

Klewin, who earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from UConn, is chief executive officer of C.R. Klewin Construction. Among the top builders in the Northeast, Klewin's firm is responsible for construction of the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center and renovation of Homer Babbidge Library. His company also directed construction of the Mashantucket Pequots' Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Ledyard.

Hartnett is president, CEO and chairman of the board of the Roller Bearings Company of America and Holdings. In previous positions with The Torrington Company, Hartnett was vice president and general manager of the Aerospace Business Unit and vice president of the Research and Development Division. Hartnett earned his Ph.D. in applied mechanics from UConn in 1978 and is internationally recognized for his contributions in the field of tribology, the study of friction.

The School of Engineering also recognized two outstanding supporters with Distinguished Service Awards: Hugh MacKenzie and David (Ed) Crow, Ph.D.

MacKenzie is president of the Northeast Utilities/Retail Business Group, the Connecticut Light and Power Company, Holyoke Water Power Company and Western Massachusetts Electric Company. He was recognized for his role in facilitating Northeast Utilities' support for graduate and undergraduate engineering scholarships and for establishing the Northeast Utilities Endowed Professorship in Environmental Engineering.

Crow is senior vice president of Pratt & Whitney's engineering organization, where he oversees development of the company's large commercial engines, military engines and rocket products, as well as advanced technology systems to meet future aircraft requirements. He received the award for his advocacy in establishing School of Engineering scholarship grants and internships for students, research grants for various departments, endowments, and visiting positions for faculty.

Nan Cooper