Dear Colleagues and Friends;

As a profession, engineering requires diversity,

in ideas, technical specialties and people. With

this in mind, I am proud that the Bagley Col-

lege of Engineering provides our students and

faculty with a variety of opportunities and fos-

ters a culture of encouragement and support

for people from all different backgrounds.

Organizations, such as the National Society

of Black Engineers and the Society of Women

Engineers and programs, such as the MSU

Increasing Minority Access to Graduate Edu-

cation (IMAGE), enhance our academic en-

vironment by providing students the support

necessary to succeed. Such encouragement

is illustrated by the stories of Vanessa Daniels

and Terrance West, who found their calling as

engineers through their experiences with such

programs.

From receiving an invitation to the next presi-

dential inauguration to overcoming language

and technical difficulties to delivering an

award-winning presentation, our students are

perfect examples of how far a person can go

with a little encouragement and determination.

All my best,

Sarah A. Rajala

Dean of the Bagley College of Engineering

Soumya SrivaStavaChemiCal engineering

“

If there is an accident, a flood, or some other type of disaster, doctors

often need to know a person’s blood type for effective treatment,” Srivastava

said. “We also want to branch out into diagnostic test which can help in de-

veloping countries where getting lab results is slow, if not impossible.”

“

Bagley College of engineering 09

Every engineer has their own reasons

for entering the field. For some, it’s the

love of math and science, while oth-

ers are drawn in by a desire to improve

daily life, but whatever the reason each

engineer must begin their career with a

quality education.

With hundreds of different universities

around, students can easily become

overwhelmed when trying to choose the

right one for their needs. However, for

students like mechanical engineering

major Vanessa Daniels, the choice can

become clear with just a little

experience.

As a high school stu-

dent, I attended a few

summer programs at MSU

centered around engineer-

ing. I was very comfortable

with the university and the

BCoE,” Daniels explained.

“The programs were well

thought out and very infor-

mative. At the end of it all,

there was not a doubt in my

mind that I wanted to attend

MSU. Being in engineering

at MSU is like being a mem-

ber of your own small com-

munity on campus.”

“

Bagley College of engineering 11

Having been in Starkville for four years,

Zachary Bugg understands the trials

of being a commuter student at MSU.

However, unlike most, he is in a posi-

tion to help the situation. Using research

methods learned through his Bagley

College of Engineering course work, he

has analyzed campus traffic flows and

found evidence to suggest a necessary

change.

Drafting a paper from his findings, Bugg

took top honors at the American Society

for Civil Engineers (ASCE) Deep South

Region 4 undergraduate research paper

competition and has since presented his

research at meetings across the south-

east. While he is grateful for the peer

recognition, he has other ideas for his

research that will seem more tangible for

his fellow Bulldogs. He plans to put his

research results into action by drafting a

proposal for MSU, which he hopes will

have a positive impact on campus.

I can’t really force a

change to happen, but I can

present my findings in hopes

of sparking some action,”

Bugg said. “However, no

matter what campus deci-

sion makers decide, con-

ducting this research was a

great experience for me.”

“

12 www.bagley.msstate.edu/diversity

Call him whatever you like – trail-blazer, pioneer,

ambitious – just don’t call Terrance West unmoti-

vated. Upon receiving his bachelor’s in electrical

and computer engineering, the Meridian, Miss., na-

tive became the first member of his family to earn a

college degree. Now, with undergraduate work and

a master’s degree behind him, he is on track to earn

his Ph.D.

Although conducting research in signal image

processing puts many demands on his time, West

still participates in campus organizations. An active

student since his freshman year, he credits some

of the campus programs with helping him find the

motivation to succeed. Now, as a graduate student,

he holds leadership roles in these same organiza-

tions with the hope of helping other students find

their home at MSU.

14 www.bagley.msstate.edu/diversity

For anyone like me who wants a degree and thinks they can’t get one,

programs like the NSBE, Summer Bridge and IMAGE, as well as having a

great advisor like Lori Bruce, make it all possible,

West explained.”

“

White 84%

international 1%

Black 11%

american indian 0%

asian/Pacific islanders 2%

hisPanic 1%

not identified0%

White 44%

international 42%

Black 7%

american indian 0%

asian/Pacific islanders 4%

hisPanic 1%

not identified 1%

men 83% Women 17%

DR. LAKIESHA N. WILLIAMSBIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

I am at a position where

I have an opportunity to cre-

ate change,” Williams said.

“If you look at the statistics,

many females stray away

from engineering, but if I can

help them in anyway to find

their path, then that’s why

I do it. ”

“