A Message from the Outgoing Chair
Washington University in St. Louis
To my friends and colleagues in the ASEE Chemical Engineering Division (ChED),
Another academic year has passed, and it’s almost time again for our annual conference — this time outside the US in Montreal! I am so excited to visit and explore this beautiful city, especially knowing that we’ll have some fantastic programming and events thanks to the diligent efforts of Program Chair Chris Barr and Program Co-Chair Eric Husmann, with some initial legwork by Local Arrangements Chair Brenden Moeun. In addition to the joys of connecting and re-connecting with many of you, I’m also looking forward to learning from you all at the slate of excellent talks and sessions we have planned – check out the later pages of this newsletter for details!
In addition to the aforementioned conference information, we have more news of importance. Our elections were recently concluded resulting in some terrific additions to your Division leadership (see page 2). As a bonus for those attending, you’ll have the opportunity to meet those officers (and other members) that you don’t already know. While the scholarly aspect of our meeting is important, I have always believed that the opportunity to engage with our colleagues was the real value-add of attendance. So do not hesitate to reach out and meet a few new people while at the conference.
If you are newer to ChED or haven’t previously attended in person, I hope you will find, as I have all these years, that our group is welcoming and supportive to those of all backgrounds. I encourage you to seek us out and engage in our board games hangout (Sunday) or any of our Tuesday events: the business meeting, the Open Mic Session, and/or the awards banquet. If nothing else, we’d be glad to meet you at Sunday’s Division Mixer to tell you more about how you can better connect with our community. And if, after hanging out with us, you find you want to contribute more, just let any of the current officers know. There are always opportunities for those who are interested in serving!
Speaking of service, we have some newly elected officers (see pg. 2) to our Division. I am thrilled to see how they will (continue to) contribute their strengths and ideas to our community. I am grateful to our current officers for all of their hard work – particularly to Ashlee Ford-Versypt and Margot Vigeant (awards co-chairs) and Fernando Merida and Bernie VanWie (fundraising co-chairs) – it is through their hard efforts that we can continue to recognize and cherish the excellence in our field (e.g., Lisa Bullard with the Woods Lectureship for Lifetime Achievement). I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank all of the paper reviewers who made publication of all of these excellent conference papers possible!
This is my final newsletter message as the Chair of ChED, and I find I am unable to conclude without acknowledging the upheaval in American academia. From the cancellation of programs supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion, to uncertainty around and cancellation of critical research funding, to intimidation of international scholars, to all other manner of attack on intellectual honesty and truth, I know I have been deeply concerned about what the future holds. Even if you are in support of some of the recent happenings, I hope you can see and understand the pain and anxiety of many of our peers, students, and friends. In these times, one bright spot I continue to hold onto almost daily is my connection with the ChED community. Whether through research collaborations, the Teaching with AI book club, or even apps like Duolingo or Finch, you remind me that there are many people out there working to create a better world for all through our little lens of chemical engineering education. Every day, we can each do just a little bit to help care for ourselves, our students, our universities, our families, and our world – and all of those little bits add up.
It has been an absolute honor to be Chair for this Division that I love so much. You have all given me so much, and it has been a delight to give back in what little way I can. As we move into this next year of ASEE programming, I can think of no better colleagues than Taryn Bayles (incoming Chair) and Neha Raikar (incoming Chair-Elect). I know they will lead with empathy and wisdom.
Looking forward to see many of you in Montreal!
ChEers,
Janie Brennan
2024-2025 ASEE ChED Chair
Conference Newsletter
Click on image for PDF of newsletter.
