Fraternities and Sororities Return to Campus

Members of the fraternities and sororities were among the first students to arrive on the Florida Tech campus this year. As part of their annual volunteer efforts, the fraternity and sorority members offered to wake up early on freshmen move-in day to help incoming students arriving at the residence halls. On Aug. 13, 105 members assisted freshmen and their parents.

Last fall, more than 100 new members were welcomed into fraternities and sororities. Some of their events included sports day, an outdoor carnival and trips to a local bowling alley. The fraternities recruited more than 90 men, while the sororities recruited more than 20 women.

Want to help?
Several chapters are looking for local advisers. To help your chapter, please contact Sara Mayer by e-mail at smayer@fit.edu.

San Diego Reunion

Second from right, Lee Harris, associate professor of ocean engineering, meets up with three former students at the International Conference on Coastal Engineering in San Diego. From left, Daryl Slocum ’94, Anne-Lise Lindquist-Slocum ’93 and Kimberly Nielsen ’93 were among the more than a dozen alumni who participated in the conference.

Class of ’67 Alumnus Donates Ring
After wearing his class ring for almost 30 years, Shaw “Buddy” Pender ’67 decided to get in step and buy a new one. So, last fall he made a gift of his previous ring to the Evans Library archives.

Since he first put that ring on his finger, Pender has taken it and his bachelor’s degree in mathematics around the world. He began raising his two daughters in the West Palm Beach area while employed in a U.S. Navy undersea program. He was involved in the space program in Houston, a systems engineer in Southern California and later moved into international marketing and sales, in Tokyo and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Today he is happily semi-retired near Asheville, N.C., where he restores classic cars.

Looking back 40-plus years, he recalls there were many teachers who inspired him throughout his “Brevard Engineering College” days. “I had the benefit of some smart guru types who influenced me and gave me a good foundation in the computer sciences area,” he said. “These were the very early days of university computer science programs.”

Rhode Island Civic Leader Is Skurla Award Winner
Mark P. Brewer ’75, A.A.E. (Accredited Airport Executive), earned the George M. Skurla Outstanding Alumni Award at the College of Aeronautics’ annual Homecoming Luncheon in October. Brewer is Rhode Island state aviation director.

He also has served as president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation since 2004, overseeing a six-airport system and an annual budget of $44 million. Previously, Brewer held executive and management positions at airports in four other states.

“Mark is an excellent airport manager,” said Evan Futterman ’78, chairman of Aviation Services for HNTB Corp. “He is an excellent role model for students interested in airport management careers.”

Also at the luncheon, Fin Bonset ’99 M.S., currently a doctoral student, was named College of Aeronautics Faculty Member of the Year.

Instituted in 1996, the George M. Skurla Outstanding Alumni Award honors a Florida Tech alumnus with a degree in aeronautics or aerospace engineering, and at least 10 years of experience in the field. In addition, the recipient must possess a demonstrated commitment and an exemplary record in advancing the aviation and aerospace industry.

George M. Skurla, for whom the award is named, was a retired chairman and president of Grumman Aerospace Corporation as well as a Florida Tech trustee and benefactor. He passed away in late 2001.

L.A. Chapter Social Event

The L.A. Chapter hosted its pumpkin carving social again this year, and enjoyed its 2nd annual chapter barbecue at Griffith Park. Alumni include from left: Bob Pratt ’95, ’97 M.S., ’98 M.B.A., Anne Riquier ’02, Sarah Dunsford ’00, Cindy (Dwyer) Pratt ’97, and Musfik Dogancay ’94 with Debbie (Goss) Dogancay ’99 taking the picture.