The College of Engineering recently held a reception to honor the first recipients of its new Biggadike Innovation Grants (BIG) program, made possible by the generous donation of the late Robert H. Biggadike, a 1958 graduate in mechanical engineering.

The college selected six initial projects among 12 proposals submitted by faculty and staff. The selection committee sought proposals that "expand the boundaries of teaching and learning" and address an identified need in engineering education generally or specifically related to the U of A College of Engineering.

"This broad scope allows the pursuit of classroom excellence and experiences, out of classroom experiences, access and use of state-of-the-art equipment in the learning process, and many other elements," said Kevin Hall, associate dean for academics.

The individuals and teams receiving grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 are:

• Michelle Barry, associate professor of civil engineering, and Jay McAllister, engineering and Honors College librarian, for "Exploring Innovation in the Classroom Through AR and VR Technologies."
• Brandon Crisel, instructor and undergraduate adviser in industrial engineering, for "Student ePortfolios."
• James Davis, teaching assistant professor of mechanical engineering, for "Bring the Tutor to the Student."
• Sarah Hernandez, associate professor of civil engineering, and Cameron Murray, assistant professor of civil engineering, for "TA Professional Development Program."
• Alexander Nelson, associate professor of computer science and computer engineering, for "Capstone/Senior Design Project Recruitment Application."
• Heather Walker, teaching assistant professor, Keisha Walters, department head, and Ed Clausen, University Professor, all of chemical engineering, for "Establishing a Sustainability Focus Area in Chemical Engineering."

The grants support projects that typically are 12 months or less, with possible extensions or renewals for up to an additional 12 months.

Dean Kim Needy praised the group and said she's delighted with their dedication to continuous improvement of their craft.

"I can't wait to see how the efforts of this deeply talented and caring group will improve the education of our College of Engineering students," she said.

The Biggadike endowment was established in 2014 and fully funded after the passing of Robert H. Biggadike in 2020. The endowment also supports other new initiatives, including Engineering One-Stop, which will focus on multiple elements related to student success, to be launched in 2023.