College of Engineering Celebrates Alumni at Awards Banquet

Photos by Stephen Ironside

College of Engineering Dean Kim Needy, center, celebrates with L. Lee Johns Lane, left, and Charles "Micky" Mayfield, right, after Lane and Mayfield were inducted into the college's Hall of Fame Saturday, April 9.

College of Engineering alumni, faculty, staff and guests gathered Saturday, April 9, to induct two new members into the college's Hall of Fame and recognize 18 graduates with Distinguished Alumni and Early Career awards.

The black-tie event featured dinner and an awards ceremony led by Dean Kim Needy and co-hosts Pam McGinnis and Lauren Kegley, with remarks by U of A interim Chancellor Charles Robinson. McGinnis is chair of the college's Dean's Advisory Council and Kegley is chair of the Early Career Advisory Council.

The two new inductees to the Hall of Fame were: L. Lee Johns Lane (M.S.O.R. 1974, Ph.D. Engineering 1976), retired vice president and co-owner of Autek Systems Inc., a privately held defense company; and Charles "Micky" Mayfield (B.S.E.E. 1964), retired sales vice president of Siemens Nokia.

Mayfield's promise showed early, as he was recognized as outstanding senior of his class in 1964. His career in telecommunications spanned an era from telegraph being phased out to the advancement of global, high-speed wireless technology. His leadership roles as an alumnus have included active service on the Dean's Advisory Council, induction to the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineers and many years of service on its board (including as vice president and president), during which he embraced the college's goals and persuaded many fellow alumni to give back.

Mayfield was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2014, while Lane received that honor in 2010.

Lane was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. from the College of Engineering and became the first woman named to the Hall of Fame on Saturday. She began her career teaching computing before being recruited by General Dynamics to guide engineers in using databases. She continued working in aerospace, including the then-classified B-2 bomber program, and co-founded the defense company Autek Systems.

A historic night at the College of Engineering's Alumni Awards Banquet included L. Lee Johns Lane, second from right, becoming the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame. She's joined by College of Engineering leadership, left to right: Lauren Kegley, chair of the Early Career Advisory Council; Kim Needy, dean; and Pam McGinnis, chair of the Dean's Advisory Council.

Needy noted the significance of Lee's induction at the same time women are serving as the college's dean and chairs of its advisory councils.

"It's truly a historic moment for the college as we strive to be more inclusive and to recognize women's contributions in engineering," Needy said. "Lee paved the way for me and for women succeeding in disciplines once considered not to be suited for us."

Nine graduates were honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards: Jeff Amerine, M.S.O.M. 2009; Kevin Henry, B.S.B.A.E. 1999; Brad M. Jackson, B.S.C.S. 1983; Michael W. Mourot, B.S.Ch.E. 1976, M.S.Ch.E. 1977; Thomas H. Newton Jr., B.S.M.E. 1982, M.S.M.E. 1984; Gaven Smith, B.S.Cmp.E. 2000; Chuck Tilmon, B.S.I.E. 1994, M.S.I.E. 1996; Melissa Summerlin Tooley, M.S.C.E. 1994, Ph.D. civil engineering 1997; and Leon Wittmer, B.S.E.E. 1975, M.S.E.E. 1976.

Another nine graduates received Early Career Alumni Awards: Andrew Bailey, B.S.Cmp.E. 2007, M.S.Cmp.E. 2009; Ailon Haileyesus, B.S.Bm.E. 2016; Tola Kumolu, M.S.Telecommunications 2007, M.S.O.M. 2009; Stephanie Clark Lee, B.S.M.E. 2010, M.S.M.E. 2012; Lauren Lowe, B.S.I.E. 2007; Derek Martin, M.S.O.M. 2013; Rebecca Logsdon Muenich, B.S.B.E. 2009; Michael Taiwo, Ph.D. chemical engineering 2021; John M. Teeter, B.S.C.E. 2007.

More information is available on pages dedicated to the College of Engineering's Hall of Fame, Distinguished Alumni Award and Early Career Award.