Tag: School of Engineering and Computing

Vermont Tech Named for Best Software Engineering Bachelor’s Degree

June 2, 2021

15 Best Bachelor’s Degrees in Software Engineering List Features Vermont Tech

Study.com has published their list of the 15 best bachelor’s degrees for software engineering for 2021 and has included Vermont Technical College on their list. The article features similar details that the college includes on their Software Engineering program page about career in the industry and projected job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For those unfamiliar with the field of software engineering, the article provides an overview of the profession, including the skills and technical abilities expected, outcomes one might achieve in the field, and details about Vermont Tech’s graduation and acceptance rate.  The major page highlights the employers and job titles of Vermont Tech graduates, and features stories of students and alumni.

Study.com Top 15 Best Bachelor's Degrees in Software Engineering seal

Professor Sabol Named VT Engineer of the Year

February 16, 2021

Vermont Tech is proud to announce that Scott Sabol, Professor in the Department of Architectural and Building Engineering Technology within the School of Engineering and Computing, has been named Engineer of the Year by the professional associations for engineers in Vermont. Sabol is a licensed structural engineer and holds the position of Secretary as a member of the Vermont Board of Professional Engineering, a position he was named to by Governor Scott.

Teaching and launching the next generations of engineers is very important to Scott, as we all witness daily. As proof of his priority, Schylar Corsones-Brown, a current Architectural Engineering Technology (AET) student credits Professor Sabol with stopping, “at nothing to ensure we reach our full potential.” Likewise, AET alumnus and Associate Engineer with the City of Rutland, Ted Gillen says Professor Sabol’s “infectious passion for engineering and influence on countless professionals is beyond deserving of the title, ‘Vermont 2021 Engineer of the Year.’” Here are the full statements from two of Sabol’s students, past and present:

Alumnus, Ted Gillen, architectural graduateTheodore Gillen, E.I., Class of 2013
BS Architectural Engineering Technology
Associate Engineer, City of Rutland

Scott Sabol has had an immeasurable impact on my life, during my time as student at Vermont Technical College and subsequently throughout my career as an engineer.  He has a passion for educating young engineering minds, extraordinary patience, and an extensive knowledge of a variety of engineering disciplines.  This translated into an academic experience for which I will forever be grateful.  Despite graduating nearly 8 years ago, Scott continues to provide mentorship, gladly returning my phone calls (as recently as two months ago) to offer whatever advice I may be seeking.  There are many reasons why I continue to recommend VTC to students seeking a profession in engineering.  Based on my experiences, having the opportunity to take courses from Professor Sabol is the number one benefit.

Scott’s professional experience alone warrants recognition from his peers.  His infectious passion for engineering and influence on countless young professionals is beyond deserving of the title, “Vermont’s 2021 Engineer of the Year”.  As I previously stated, I’m quite proud of my education, but today I’m proud of my good friend and mentor.  Congratulations Professor Sabol.

Alumna, Schylar Corsones-Brown, architectural graduateSchylar Corsones-Brown, Class of 2021
BS Architectural Engineering Technology
Student Engineering Technician of the Year, 2018-2019

Professor Sabol is not only passionate about the engineering field, but he is also passionate about extending his knowledge and expertise to the students he teaches. The real world experience he brings into the classroom keeps students engaged and inspired. He truly cares about our success, and stops at nothing to ensure we reach our full potential. There is not a time of day that you can email him without getting a reply within a half hour. Professor Sabol has an endless list of responsibilities, yet he somehow is able to make each one feel like the priority. 

I can honestly say, the most important thing Professor Sabol has taught me in my college career is not even related to engineering. In every class, no matter the subject, he encourages us to not let the fear of being wrong stop us from answering his questions. The reason being that answering incorrectly actually ingrains the correct answer in our brains. I am not sure if he realizes what an impact this simple encouragement makes, but it most definitely speaks volumes about his teaching skills. 

Professor Sabol puts his heart, soul, and then some into everything he undertakes. It has been inspiring to witness this over the past four years, and I am beyond thrilled for his hard work to be acknowledged as he is named Vermont’s Engineer of the Year.

Read the full press release from the Vermont Engineers Week below.

Scott A. Sabol, P.E., has been named Vermont’s 2021 Engineer of the Year.  A distinguished academic, researcher, and practitioner, Mr. Sabol has over twenty-five years of experience in the engineering field.  Since 1999, Mr. Sabol, a licensed structural engineer, has been professor of Architectural and Building Engineering Technology at Vermont Technical College, teaching primarily in the bachelor degree program, and is a past chair of the department.  Mr. Sabol has received VTC’s highest faculty awards, the Harry G. Wirtz Master Teacher Award and the Robert Wonkka Award for student advising.  As a founding course developer of the Norwich University online master of civil engineering program, he has also been named a distinguished faculty member in the Norwich University graduate school.   Prior to his academic career, Mr. Sabol worked for the Transportation Research Board in Washington, D.C., and he served as director of the Delaware Transportation Institute.  In his role as an engineering consultant, he has performed research for the Federal Highway Administration and has developed a national strategic plan for the implementation of fiber reinforced polymers into the transportation infrastructure.

In addition to his engineering accomplishments, Mr. Sabol currently serves as a member of the Vermont Board of Professional Engineering, where he holds the position of Secretary.  He is active in many professional and technical societies including, among others, the American Society for Engineering Education, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Vermont Society of Engineers. Mr. Sabol recently began volunteer efforts with the Equity Alliance, a group whose mission includes attracting and retaining a diverse workforce in Vermont.

Mr. Sabol lives in Northfield, VT.

Mr. Sabol will be presented with his award at the annual Engineers Week celebration, which will be held virtually this year on February 25.

Vermont Engineers Week is sponsored annually by the state’s engineering societies, and the Vermont Engineer of the Year award is presented to a licensed professional engineer in Vermont.  Selection of the award winner is made by a committee comprised of the five most recent winners of the Vermont Engineer of the Year award.

 

Vermont Tech Knights Golf in Engineering Society Tournament

September 25, 2020

Patrick Melvin (BS.EET), Ronnie Corey (AE.MEC), and Quinn Munns (BS.EET) represented Vermont Tech at the annual Vermont Society of Engineers (VSE) Golf Tournament at Cedar Knoll Country Club in Hinesburg, Vermont on September 25, 2020. The annual VSE tournament raises funds for scholarships to engineering students at Vermont Tech, Norwich University, and the University of Vermont. Although most contestants are working engineers, the VSE encourages a student team from each of Vermont’s engineering schools to compete. The prize for the winning student team is a rotating trophy kept in their possession for a year.

Professor Scott A. Sabol, P.E., a VSE member, sponsors the Vermont Tech team’s participation. This year, the students enjoyed a round of golf, good food, and the opportunity to network with engineering professionals. Alas, they did not bring home the trophy (Norwich did), so the rivalry continues for next year.

Student names from past Vermont Tech teams that won the tourney are on display in SHAPE. Former student golfers who return to campus are known to check out their own place in golf history during visits.

Leahy and Vermont Tech Announce a Nearly $8 Million Investment for Research

August 31, 2020

Senator Patrick Leahy, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Vermont Technical College (Vermont Tech) President Patricia Moulton Monday announced a $7.969 million contract awarded to Vermont Tech from the U.S. Army’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) office as part of its National Imperative for Industrial Skills. The contract, which has an additional $4 million option, will establish the first advanced manufacturing education, research and development facility in Vermont.

Leahy said: “To retain and increase manufacturing jobs Vermonters need cutting edge training.  The VTC advanced manufacturing facility will ensure that more Vermonters have the training and skills to match the latest generation of manufacturing jobs.  By expanding and strengthening Vermont Tech’s position as a leader in this field, this collaborative public-private partnership will open new career opportunities to Vermonters and contribute to Vermont Tech’s bright future.  It was important to me that this facility be located on the school’s Randolph Center campus, ensuring that Vermont manufacturers around the state will have the ability to partner and benefit from this important skill training.”

President Moulton said: “Vermont Tech is uniquely positioned both geographically in the state and with existing employer partnerships to advance additive manufacturing for our economy. By preparing students to be the next-generation engineers and industrial designers with state-of-the-art equipment and practices, the college is further positioned as the premier college for engineering and manufacturing education in the region. We are profoundly grateful to Senator Leahy and the IBAS for their support of the college and our industry partners.”

The new center, located in Randolph Center will bring together students, faculty, and Vermont manufacturers to educate the next-generation workforce in cutting-edge additive manufacturing engineering and design and support manufacturing innovation.  After conversations with Vermont businesses and Vermont Tech, Leahy secured funding for the IBAS program in the Fiscal Year 2020 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill.  The grant comes at a time when Vermont and the nation are experiencing a critical shortage of manufacturing capability and workforce, and while the state’s postsecondary attainment needs continue to grow.  The U.S. Army’s IBAS program is designed to strategically invest in the civilian manufacturing design, engineering, and production sector to ensure capability in the event of a national emergency.  The center will further tailor Vermont Tech’s educational programs to the real-world needs of Vermont manufacturers.

Under the leadership of President Moulton, Vermont Tech has worked to respond to the changing skill needs in manufacturing.  Using a grant from the Defense Department’s Office of Economic Adjustment, Vermont Tech and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development launched the Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative (VT-MC), a partnership of manufacturers dedicated to supporting growth of design, prototyping, and production using additive manufacturing, a set of state-of-the-art techniques that allow products to be built to exacting specifications, in record time.  With the funding from IBAS, Vermont Tech will expand its advanced manufacturing engineering labs with critical new equipment and staff.  The grant will also allow the further expansion of VT-MC, which will use the new equipment and renovated facilities for prototyping, test-bed development, and small batch manufacturing.

Tim Holmes, Vice President for Engineering, GW Plastics said:  “We are very excited about this collaboration between local businesses and Vermont Tech.  It is a tremendous opportunity to participate in the development of a hands-on curriculum focused on additive manufacturing technologies that will become a pipeline for students transitioning into our future workforce. GW Plastics manufactures safety-critical products where lives are dependent upon the highest quality every day.  Furthering our knowledge of 3D technology and other innovations is critical to improving our manufacturing excellence.”

Bob Zider, VMEC Director and CEO, said:  “VMEC is very pleased to see Vermont Tech receive this important IBAS Prototype Project Contract as part of the National Imperative for Industrial Skills initiative.  Managed by Vermont Tech, this new opportunity will significantly accelerate achievement of the core Mission of the Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative (VT-MC), ‘to advance technology-enabled manufacturing and associated workforce readiness through collaborative public-private partnerships and opportunities.’  VMEC is proud to be a founding partner of VT-MC, and we expect that VT-MC will have a large impact on Vermont’s manufacturing sector, on industry workforce readiness, and on our statewide economy.”

Chris Carrigan, Vice President, Vermont Chamber of Commerce, said:  “The Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative is great news for Vermont and economic development.  It will strengthen collaboration between industry and higher education, provide Vermont’s $3 billion dollar manufacturing sector with a skilled workforce for the 21st Century, and give Vermont’s manufacturers a strategic resource and advantage.  With ready access to research and development, state-of-the art technology and equipment, and support services our manufacturers will be able to tap new markets and business opportunities, and, in doing so, help grow Vermont’s economy.”

William Driscoll, Vice President, Associated Industries of Vermont, said:  “Vermont manufacturing’s greatest advantage has long been the quality of our workforce.  Additive manufacturing exemplifies how, as manufacturing continues to evolve, innovation and technology continue to open up new opportunities while also demanding new and improving skills.  This new facility will be a valuable asset for Vermont’s skilled workforce.”

From James St. Germain, Senior Director, Engineering, General Dynamic Ordinance and Tactical Systems, “General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS) is pleased that Vermont Technical College has been awarded the contract to begin an Additive Manufacturing Curriculum and obtain an Additive Manufacturing Machine. General Dynamics-OTS is actively designing Additive Manufactured parts in new products and is excited about working with Vermont Tech in this area. We are seeking additional training for our design teams and need a local supplier who we can work with to design and manufacture prototype parts. The collaborative relationship between Vermont Tech and General Dynamics-OTS will strengthen both organizations and lead to further opportunities to work together.”

2 Students Compete in the EPN 4th Annual Design Charrette

January 23, 2020

How do you prepare for a competition that gives you nothing to prepare for? Just like the other entrants of the American Institute of Architects’ Emerging Professionals Network (EPN) 4th Annual Design Charrette at Norwich University: anxiety ridden.

William Fretwell and David Woolaver, students in Vermont Tech’s Architectural Engineering Technology major, were more than first-time entrants to the charette — they were pioneers.

Surrounding the two young men were professional architects and twenty student-teams from Middlebury College, Norwich University, and the University of Vermont, to name a few.

“That’s the amazing thing about a design charrette,” Woolaver said, “all you know is you’ll be given 4 hours, and they’ll surprise you with the prompt as soon as you walk in.”

And, as promised, they were surprised.

The prompt? Designing a net-zero neighborhood in an empty 350 foot by 400 foot lot in Hinesburg. The challenge? Multi-income housing, sustainability, shopping, and all the considerations a “green living” neighborhood deserve. Adding to the challenge was that the competition was analog-only — everything had to be done by hand.

Fretwell and Woolaver sketched manically.

“We sketched and sketched, getting ideas out and throwing a lot of them in the trash,” Fretwell said.

vtc design charrette sketching 2

The two Vermont Tech students felt the pressure mounting as the clock ticked.

Four hours is already too short a time to complete the prompt, and starting new ideas, which Fretwell and Woolaver did a few times, can cost you everything. But they persevered. Relying on foundational knowledge, like the Architectural Design and Environmental Systems classes they took at Vermont Tech.

“I tried to apply knowledge I had here (at Vermont Tech) and convert it into an architectural idea,” Woolaver said.

The room was filled with students and professionals rushing to create their visions for the new sustainable neighborhood. The other team’s ideas were going up on boards and sitemaps were coming to life.

There was no time to go back and forth — the two Vermont Tech hopefuls had to solidify their plan.

Fretwell and Woolaver labored over elevation, surrounding structures, terrain, and how to design for the betterment of the planet. The sketches started coming together and their idea took shape — a futuristic one.

The buildings curved around the 350 foot by 400 foot lot and took the prompt’s challenges head-on. Solar panels on the roof, a recycling and water collection building, multi-generation resident housing, and storefronts were factored in with charm.

The end of the competition was spent constructing their model, including accessible parking that doubled as an upper deck patio.

Thirty teams stood against Fretwell and Woolaver — all standing proudly next to their neighborhood models.

Truthfully, no one could complete the whole prompt, which is a clever and strategic part of the challenge. It forces the students to pursue and display only what best represents their plan.

This is where Fretwell and Woolaver shined. The judges saw their vision — earning them 3rd place among the student competitors in the charrette.

“It builds your confidence,” Woolaver said, “this is a big win for us and our major.”

The two Vermont Tech students walked in as anxious pioneers, but like the great knights they are — they walked out victors.

“We’re definitely doing it again next year,” Fretwell said, “and we’re bringing more Vermont Tech students to compete. We’re going to have an even bigger presence!”

Choose Vermont Scholarship Program

January 16, 2020

Vermont Tech is pleased to announce the 2nd annual Choose Vermont Scholarship program has launched! The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation and 13 Vermont colleges and universities, including Vermont Tech, are partnering in the 2020 Choose Vermont Scholarship Program, which will award $60,000 in scholarship money to students who commit to attend a Vermont school by June 1.  Both out-of-state and Vermont students are eligible to enter.

The program was developed through a partnership across Vermont’s higher education sector to market Vermont as a top destination for attending college.  The campaign targets students already accepted to a Vermont school, encouraging them to take the next step and “Choose Vermont.”

“As we work to grow our workforce and help Vermonters in their careers, our higher education system plays a critical role,” said Governor Phil Scott. “These institutions, however, are feeling the effects of Vermont’s demographic crisis and declining enrollment. It’s a testament to Vermonters’ ingenuity and collaboration that public and private partners are willing to work together to pool marketing resources and highlight the state as an ideal location for higher education.”

“The variety of higher education institutions we have in Vermont makes it a wonderful landscape for attending college. Whether you are looking for a top liberal arts school or learning a trade at a technical school, Vermont has it all,” said Ted Brady, Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. “Couple that with tremendous access to outdoor recreation, the arts, and welcoming and vibrant communities, and it all adds up to an incredible place to attend college.”

Students who commit to attend one of the 13 participating Vermont schools between January 1, 2020 and June 1, 2020 and then register at ThinkVermont.com/scholarship will become eligible to win a $5,000 scholarship to their school.  The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation will offer an additional $5,000 scholarship to a student who commits to any of the 13 participating schools.

The inaugural Choose Vermont Scholarship Program was launched in May of 2019, giving away two $5,000 scholarships and drawing over 1,400 entries.  The success of that program led to more scholarship funding from colleges statewide for the 2020 program.

The Choose Vermont Scholarship Program is made possible by Vermont’s participating colleges and universities along with the support of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, the Association of Vermont Independent Colleges, and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

For full details and to find participating schools: https://www.thinkvermont.com/scholarship