Mechanical engineering scholarship recipient Davie Peirano admits to being power-hungry, a desire strengthened during his years spent working on engines in the Navy.

Navy Helped Scholarship Recipient
Set the Right Course

David Peirano says he learned to shape up before shipping out in the U.S. Navy, and his life is much better for it.
       "The Navy afforded me the opportunity to develop a respect for authority, as well a feeling of self-worth, pride and a lot of camaraderie," says the Vanderbilt junior mechanical engineering student, who recently won the John and Elsa Gracik Scholarship awarded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Foundation. Peirano was one of 44 recipients of ASME Foundation scholarships, which are based on academic achievement. The median GPA of the recipients was 3.87 out of a possible 4.0.
       While in the Navy, Peirano was a machinist's mate on a submarine tender. After further training, he became a gas turbine systems technician mechanical, an engine room supervisor and a main propulsion control operator.
       "I loved gas turbines and dealing with taking the turbine power, running it through a main reduction gear and clutches and getting it down the shaft," Peirano says of his days on the U.S.S. Proteus and the U.S.S. Hue City. "My plans after graduation are to get a position with a company that deals with gas turbines or the transmission of power. If I see an opportunity in the future to go and get my master's, I certainly want to. I would also love to earn a doctorate degree."
       After receiving his honorable discharge after five years in the Navy, Peirano attended Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tenn., where he maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA.
       In addition to his Vanderbilt classwork and life with wife Melissa, Peirano works independently doing home remodeling and repairs. He also recently rebuilt a Chevy 350 engine in a 1972 Chevelle to produce peak 420 horsepower.
       "I've always had a mechanical ability to take things apart, see what makes them work, put them back together and see if I can get it to work a little better."

Goldberg Participants Try to
Make the Simple Look Difficult

Winners of the Rube Goldberg contest (right) pose beside the contraption they developed to peel an apple in 33 wacky steps. The contest was part of National Engineers Week, Feb. 18-24, which featured keynote speaker Nathan Brewer of Sapient Systems, the Business Etiquette Dinner, mock interviews, an Edible Pinewood Derby contest for high school students and the All-Engineers Banquet. Winning Rube Goldberg team members demonstrating their machine: (Back, left to right) Charles Wallace, Adam Gintis; (Front) Matthew Schiefer, Matt Eames, Robyn Kratenstein and Wes Poen. The team will take its machine to the national contest at Purdue University in April.

Engineering senior Matt Stewart received singular recognition as MVP of the Vanderbilt football team and by appearing for the second year on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Stewart Stands Out Both in the Classroom
and on the Field

Matt Stewart exemplifies Vanderbilt's definition of a model student-athlete, truly excelling both on and off the football field. He emerged as one of the country's top collegiate linebackers last fall and continues to distinguish himself through his studies in mechanical engineering.
       He earned first team All-SEC recognition as a senior by leading the team in sacks (6.5), tackles (108) and tackles for loss (12.5). Stewart capped this outstanding season by being named Vanderbilt's Most Valuable Player and by earning MVP honors for the victorious Gray team in the Blue-Gray All Star Football Classic.
       As important, the Vanderbilt team captain earned SEC Academic Honor Roll laurels both his junior and senior years for his performance in the classroom. Stewart, 6-5 and 240-pounds, started 33 straight games for the Commodores.
       "Matt is not only an outstanding student, but also a fine person and an excellent football player," says Brian Williams, assistant dean for student affairs in the School of Engineering. "His balanced success speaks well to the type of students that we recruit."

Vanderbilt NSBE Chapter Shines in Regional Competition

The Vanderbilt chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) took second place in the Academic Tech Bowl at the NSBE Regional Conference in February.
       Vanderbilt students Robert Boxie, Ursula Halmon, Yolanda Reid and Rasheeda Stephens competed in the challenge held at Tuskeegee University in Alabama. The team successfully fielded mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering and NSBE history questions to qualify for the finals and defeat six other teams for second place in the region.
       NSBE's mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.

Engineering sophomore Matt Keller displays calm assurance during his televised appearance with JEOPARDY! host Alex Trebek.

Sophomore Has the Answers
on National T.V.

School of Engineering sophomore Matt Keller recently matched wits with top national students as a contestant in the annual JEOPARDY! College Championship. Keller fared well, walking away a few thousand dollars richer and having achieved his first 15 minutes of fame via national television. He also provided the School of Engineering with outstanding free advertising, wearing his Vanderbilt sweatshirt proudly.
       "It was definitely one of the greatest experiences of my life," he reports. "I got a free trip to Seattle, met bright students from around the country, had a lot of fun and, of course, made some money."
       Keller won the first of his two games handily before being edged out in the semifinals by "a guy from Harvard." He blanked during the Final Jeopardy round on the name of U.S. House Majority Whip Tom DeLay. "I'm not that into politics, so I had no idea on that one."
       His favorite question, though, was easy. An Iowa native, Keller quickly identified the University of Iowa's mascot as Herkey the Hawkey. Apparently, Vanderbilt's Mr. Commodore did not come up.
       Keller qualified for the show through a national audition, testing and interview process last fall.