College names 2016 Distinguished Engineering Alumni

The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University awarded its Distinguished Engineering Alumni Alumnus award to three deserving graduates at a ceremony on Oct. 26.

The College honored Brigadier General Leodis T. Jennings, who has retired from the Army National Guard; Dr. Jason Rhode, president and CEO of Cirrus Logic; and Pamela B. Townsend, senior vice president for WSP/Parsons Brinkerhoff.

The award honors alumni whose accomplishments further their field, foster professional development of young engineers and bring distinction to the university through engineering achievement.

Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of the College, recognized Jennings, Rhode, and Townsend during a banquet at North Ridge Country Club in Raleigh.

Jennings earned his bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering from NC State in 1983. He also received a Master of Arts in International Business from Webster University (1984), a Master of Military Art and Science from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (1996), and a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania (2002).

He was commissioned an Armor officer in the Army National Guard, where he became an experienced leader and force manager whose guidance was sought at all levels of leadership throughout the Army and from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Department of Defense and Congress until his retirement from the service. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors for the university and has been appointed to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering’s external advisory board.

Rhode earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1993 and his doctorate in electrical engineering in 1995 from NC State. Upon completing his doctoral degree, Rhode joined Cirrus Logic as an analog design engineer. In his time at the company, he has taken on the role of design manager, director of marketing for analog and mixed signal products, and served as vice president and general manager of Cirrus Logic’s Mixed Signal Audio Division. In May 2007, Rhode was named president and chief executive officer of Cirrus Logic, Inc. Rhode is a member of IEEE and has been issued 19 U.S. patents in the area of mixed signal technologies.

Rhode and Cirrus Logic maintain a close relationship with the university and have provided vital financial support for NC State, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and the College. Cirrus Logic attends the College’s Engineering Career Fair twice per fiscal year, has created two professorships in ECE, and maintains a strong recruiting relationship with NC State. In fall 2015, Rhode was the keynote speaker for the College’s annual welcome event and was also the featured speaker for two ECE courses.

Townsend earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1984, summa cum laude, and her master’s degree in civil engineering in 1987 from NC State. Her role as vice president for WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms, includes responsibility for the Southeast Region operations. Townsend was the senior vice president for Southeast Region Strategic Planning with Dewberry, a family-owned firm. Townsend also held several positions over 24 years with AECOM, a publically traded A/E firm, including senior vice president, Southern States district general manager.

Townsend has served the state of North Carolina in many ways. She received an appointment from the NC House of Representatives to the Joint Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission to Study the State’s Building and Infrastructure Needs, has served on the leadership team for development of the STEM WAKE/NC State High School focusing on the NAE Grand Challenges, and helped to bring the NC Future City middle-school outreach competition to North Carolina. She has served on the advisory board for NC State’s Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and the NC State Engineering Foundation board of directors and previously chaired the Paul Zia Lecture committee.

– heath –