College of Engineering Awards for Excellence 2010

The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University has recognized Shirley Kow, department of chemical and biomolecular engineering; Mazie Lewis, College of Engineering academic affairs; and Ali Stieglitz, department of chemical and biomolecular engineering as the winners of the 2010 Awards for Excellence.

The awards were announced at a ceremony held March 18 in Engineering Building I on Centennial Campus. Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering, presented plaques and $250 gift checks to Kow, Lewis and, Stieglitz. The winners also received eight hours of paid time off and are now nominees for the NC State University Award for Excellence.

Also nominated for the College awards were Laura Ling, College of Engineering Academic Affairs; Chad Stinner, IES Engineering and Technology Group; Michael Vysocka, InfoTech and Engineering Computer Services; Martin Baucom, NC State Engineering Foundation; and Jan Pridgen, IES Engineering and Technology Group.

The Winners

Shirley Kow

Shirley Kow, a technology support specialist for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, began working for NC State as a word processor specialist soon after she immigrated to the U.S with her family 21 years ago. Through the years, Shirley has worked to advance through various positions within the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. She even took night classes at NC State to help advance her knowledge of IT while working and raising her two children.

Shirley’s devotion to her work and to the university, her willingness to go far beyond the call of duty, and her willingness to help make NC State a better environment for research and teaching has made her an invaluable asset to the department and the College of Engineering.

Mazie Lewis

Mazie Lewis is an administrative specialist for the College of Engineering who dedicates much of her personal time to serve the community. Mazie is involved in several non-profit organizations and is a member of the National Council of Negro Women: Capitol Area Section of Raleigh, which she helped to begin 11 years ago. She has served as president and vice president for this organization.

An NC State University employee for more than 24 years, Mazie works to promote the university in her many community outreach efforts.

Ali Stieglitz

As Nanotech Initiative Coordinator in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ali Stieglitz has demonstrated quality service, innovative approaches, and outstanding contributions to quality and morale in the workplace.

Ali is responsible for communicating information regarding nanotechnology research and education activities at NC State to the university community and to outside interests. In her first assignment, Ali was asked to design a website dedicated to the Nanotechnology Initiative. She researched IP and webpage providers, compared costs, developed and distributed an email questionnaire to faculty, and collected the information to start the website. She now searches news articles and updates the site daily.

Ali regularly provides a public service by answering, or helping to answer, inquiries about nanotechnology from outside researchers, K-12 students, media, and companies. She also participates in Nanodays and the NC Nanocommercialization Conference.