National Engineers Week is an annual event to raise public awareness about engineering and the contributions that engineers make to society. It is also a time for engineers to emphasize the importance of learning math, science, and technical skills. Its stated goals by organizers are to provide a time to: celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world; increase public dialogue about the need for engineers; and communicate E Week message, Engineering New Horizons, to kids, educators, and parents.
Engineers Week was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers and is the oldest of America's professional engineering outreach efforts.
In concert with more than 70 engineering, education, and cultural societies, and more than 50 corporations and government agencies, the Chattanooga Area engineers officially opens Engineers Week on Monday with a Kick-off Luncheon, followed on Thursday with an Awards Banquet. Both are open to the public.
"While 'Engineers Week' suggests only a week-long event, it has in fact been year-round commitment for engineers to make a difference in our area," officials said.
The Chattanooga E Week committee would like to thank their two co-chairs: Dr. Nelihan Alp, interim dean of UTC School of Engineering and Computer Science; and Rob Gagliano, site director of BASF Chattanooga. Dr. Alp will lead the luncheon event, and Mr. Gagliano will manage the awards banquet.
A schedule of events is below:
E-Week Kickoff Luncheon, Monday
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Speaker: Jacinda Woodward, PE, senior vice president, Transmission & Power Supply, TVA
Topic: Adventures in Engineering - The 21st Century Electric Utility
Luncheon Cost: $20 Single Ticket
E-Week 2015 Awards Banquet, Thursday
6-8 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Michael McAtee- senior vice president – Engineering and Maintenance North America - BASF Corporation
Topic: The Impact of Unconventional Oil and Gas on the Competitiveness of US Manufacturing
Cost: $40 Single Ticket, $350 Corporate Table for Eight
More details for both luncheon, banquet can be found at Chattanooga E Week site, www.chattanoogaengineersweek.com.