SAE Foundation Annual Report 2012 - 9

dr. edward
m. Kasprzak –
excellence in
engineering
education
award
As an adjunct faculty professor
and vehicle dynamics engineer,
Dr. Edward M. Kasprzak brings
a unique perspective to his role
as a Collegiate Design Series
(CDS) Faculty Advisor to the
University at Buffalo’s Baja SAE
and Clean Snowmobile Challenge
teams. He sees the benefits of the program from the
educational, corporate, and professional sides.
“I believe the students that participate on a CDS
team from receive a more well-rounded education
than students exposed only to the regular
engineering curriculum. The CDS competitions
start out as a project management exercise before it
becomes an engineering exercise, so the large scope
of the competitions has a significant educational
value,” explains Dr. Kasprzak. “It is the technical
depth, along with softer skills like teamwork,
communication and budget management that better
prepares students for their future careers.”

an attractive SAE CDS program on campus, and
industry benefits when they hire a skilled CDS
graduate.
On a personal note, Edward came through the
Baja and Formula SAE programs during his
undergraduate years at UB starting in 1993; became
the “unofficial” CDS faculty advisor in 2000 and the
“official” advisor in 2007. He feels very fortunate
that the interests of the CDS program align with
his personal interests in engineering education and
automobile vehicle dynamics.

At his company, Milliken Research Associates,
they have seen how this practical experience gives
CDS students the edge when it comes to on the job
performance. MRA has hired several CDS interns,
since they come in with much more experience and
can contribute much more quickly. He attributes this
to the fact that CDS students operate in such a short
time frame and have to design, manufacture, and
justify their designs, which prepares them well for
the demands of industry.

In addition, he believes the CDS program attracts
the most talented faculty and industry professionals
as participants and volunteers. His involvement
as a Formula SAE design judge has enabled him to
network with an “incredible group of individuals”,
which helps continually broaden his horizons
and deepen his knowledge. His employer, Doug
Milliken, likewise volunteers as a Formula SAE
design judge. Whether it’s as a Faculty Advisor,
Design Judge or visiting CDS schools as a speaker
in the SAE Industrial Lecture Program, Edward
enthusiastically supports the CDS mission.

He sees the CDS program as a true win-win-win for
students, universities, and industry. The students
win by having all the educational benefits of the
CDS experience, the university wins by having

When asked what keeps him coming back, Dr.
Kasprzak replied “it’s the hard working students
and their eagerness to learn – it’s infectious and
helps keep me excited about what I do.”

9
SAE Foundation Annual Report 2012

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