[511] MTSU's Experimental Vehicles Program Earns TBR Academic Excellence Award

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu
MTSU experimental vehicles contact: Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, 615-494-8786 or sforouda@mtsu.edu

MTSU’s Experimental Vehicles Program Earns TBR Academic Excellence Award

(MURFREESBORO) — MTSU’s experimental vehicles program has received the Tennessee Board of Regents’ Academic Excellence Award because of the program’s many benefits and outstanding success.
Dr. Paula Short, TBR vice chancellor for academic affairs, presented a plaque on June 23 during the TBR’s quarterly meeting, which is being held through today, June 24, at Nashville State Community College.
MTSU’s Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, professor in the Department of Engineering Technology, accepted the award for the University. Foroudastan also is associate dean for the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and has served as faculty adviser for the experimental vehicles program since its inception.
2011 marks the second year MTSU and Foroudastan have received the Academic Excellence Award from the TBR. In June 2010, MTSU earned the honor for the Master of Science in Professional Science program that Foroudastan also directs.
MTSU’s experimental vehicles program consists of five collegiate design projects, Foroudastan said. In each, student teams design, develop and produce an experimental vehicle under his guidance.
“MTSU’s EVP uses classroom knowledge and applies it to hands-on projects that foster critical thinking, initiate creative problem-solving and create an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines,” he said.
“Through these design projects, students learn about alternative energy and work in a diverse cultural setting.”
Each year, the student teams compete in national and international design competitions including the SAE Baja, Formula SAE, the NASA Great Moonbuggy Race, Solar Splash and Solar BikeRayce USA, he added.
Foroudastan said the program, which is the only one in Tennessee that competes in land, water and solar events, has been a successful motivation tool for students, because 90 percent of the student team members successfully complete their undergraduate degrees.
CBAS Dean Tom Cheatham, Russell Chair of Manufacturing Excellence chair holder Dr. Charles Perry and David O’Brien, vice president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers student organization, also attended the ceremony.
A video clip of the presentation will be available at www.mtsunews.com starting June 24. For more about the program, call 615-494-8786 or visit http://bit.ly/MTETProjects.

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In Brief

MTSU’s experimental vehicles program has received the Tennessee Board of Regents’ Academic Excellence Award because of the program’s many benefits and outstanding success. MTSU’s experimental vehicles program consists of five collegiate design projects that compete in national and international design competitions, including the SAE Baja, Formula SAE, the NASA Great Moonbuggy Race, Solar Splash and Solar BikeRayce USA. A video clip of the presentation will be available at www.mtsunews.com starting June 24.



Founded in 1911, Middle Tennessee State University is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution located in Murfreesboro and is the state’s largest public undergraduate institution. In September 2011, MTSU will celebrate its 100th year anniversary with special events and activities throughout the year — kicked off by a Blue-Tie Centennial Gala on Friday, Sept. 9.
For MTSU news and information, visit www.mtsunews.com.