UA College of Engineering Selects Ambassadors

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama recently selected students as 2003-2004 Ambassadors of the College of Engineering (ACEs).

The following students were selected:

Kristi Lee Brannen, a junior in mechanical engineering, the daughter of Carl and Elizabeth Brannen of Slidell, La., and a graduate of Pope John Paul II High School. Brannen also was elected as president of the ambassadors.

Ashley Erickson, a junior in mechanical engineering, the daughter of Todd and Pam Erickson of Tuscaloosa, and a 2000 graduate of Central High School.

Rachel Suzanne Gillis, a sophomore in chemical engineering, the daughter of Greg Gillis of Milton, Fla., and a 2001 graduate of Milton High School.

Courtney Hummer Graham, a sophomore in mechanical engineering, the daughter of Bryan and Janet Graham of Tuscaloosa, and a 2001 graduate of Central High School.

J. Gaston Large III, a senior in electrical and computer engineering, the son of Jimmy and Esther Large of Oneonta, and a 1997 graduate of Oneonta City High School.

Michael Patrick LeJeune, a junior in electrical and computer engineering, the son of Randall and Dolores LeJeune of Baton Rouge, La., and a 2000 graduate of Catholic High School. LeJeune also was elected as historian of the ambassadors.

Matt Moody, a junior in mechanical engineering, the son of Edward and Doris Moody of Birmingham, and a 1999 graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School.

Hugh Shoff, a sophomore in chemical engineering, the son of Wesley and Bethany Shoff of Jasper, and a 2001 graduate of Walker High School.

Marcus Stacey, a senior in industrial engineering, the son of Paula Stacey and the late Wayne Stacey, and a 1999 graduate of Monroe Academy. Stacey also was elected as vice-president of the ambassadors.

Karen Torres, a sophomore in aerospace engineering and mechanics, the daughter of Steven and Sylvia Kelsoe, and a 2001 graduate of Arab High School. Torres also was elected as education coordinator of the ambassadors.

Lisa Vaughn, a sophomore in mechanical engineering, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Gregg Vaughn of Vestavia Hills, and a 2001 graduate of Vestavia Hills High School.

Amy Catherine Wilkinson, a freshman in mechanical engineering, the daughter of Michael and Barbara Wilkinson of Clinton, Miss., and a 2002 graduate of Clinton High School.

Audra Kinchen Woodruff, a senior in chemical engineering, the daughter of Wayne and Elizabeth Woodruff of Tuscaloosa, and a 2000 graduate of Hillcrest High School.

Kelly Anne Wybenga, a sophomore in industrial engineering, the daughter of Dr. Martin Wybenga and Joyce Coady of Prattville, and a 2001 graduate of Prattville High School.

UA’s College of Engineering created the ACEs, a student ambassador program, in the fall of 1996 to promote professionalism and enthusiasm for the College. The group consists of 14 members, selected each academic year through a competitive interview and application process. A uniform and book scholarship is provided to the students selected.

One of the primary functions of the group is to provide tours of the College of Engineering facilities to prospective students, families and alumni. ACE members are responsible for helping with group organization at events, such as Engineering Day, as well as visiting high schools to discuss engineering as a future career choice and recruitment of potential students. ACEs also assist the Capstone Engineering Society with alumni and pre-game events and serve as public relations hosts and hostesses for the College.

In 1837, UA became the first university in the state to offer engineering classes and was one of the first five in the nation to do so. Today, the College of Engineering, with about 1,900 students and more than 90 faculty, is one of the three oldest continuously operating engineering programs in the country and has been fully accredited since accreditation standards were implemented in the 1930s.