Edward K Mullen '47 Receives Alumni of Distinction Award

Edward K. Mullen '47 belongs to what Tom Brokaw termed the "Greatest Generation." He was a student at the College when World War I1 broke out. Mullen joined the Army Air Forces and served as a pilot for three years. After the war, he returned to Syracuse to finish his degree in pulp and paper. While a student, he met his future wife, Joanne, at Syracuse University.

Upon graduating, Mullen worked for the Richard Gair Company, a manufacturer of paperboard. In 1958, he joined a family-owned company, Newark Boxboard, and in 1962, co-founded a separate company, Book Covers, Inc. Along the way, he and a business partner earned 10 patents dealing with paperboard structures.  By 1976, Mullen merged Box Covers, Inc., with Newark  Boxboard, bought several mills from Continental Can, and then acquired Newark Boxboard from its original owners. He turned this into the Newark Group, which uses vast amounts of waste
paper to make a variety of high-quality products, and employs hundreds of workers while promoting recycling. Today, we take recycling for granted. But Mullen's the Newark Group, as long ago as 1990, was using 10 percent of all wastepaper collected in the
United States when overall, only 30 percent of waste paper was being recycled throughout the country.

Mullen used his education, business instincts and hard work to build a successful business and develop a model for what today is a green and sustainable industry. He has demonstrated that the industrial use of waste paper can transform what was once waste
into products such as concrete forms, book covers, game boards, cereal boxes and paperboard.

Mullen has been a strong supporter of ESF and the Syracuse Pulp and Paper Foundation. He supported the Jahn Laboratory campaign and is a member of the 19 1 1 Society. He is also a staunch supporter of the Syracuse Pulp and Paper Foundation
(SPPF). As a paper science graduate he has given generously to the SPPF Endowment for Management Education in Paper Science and Engineering, and also supports the J. P. Clark Golf Tournament. 

In recognition of these achievements and contributions, the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Alumni Association proudly presents Edward K.
Mullen with the Graduate of Distinction Award.

ESF Open House

SUNY-ESF had its fall open house on Saturday, 25 October 2008.  Two information sessions were given to students, parents, and guests about the educational programs offered in the Department of Paper and Bioprocess Engineering.  These programs, all chemical engineering-based, include Paper Engineering, Paper Science, and our newest program, Bioprocess Engineering.

Paper Engineering is chemical engineering geared towards the paper and allied industries.  These industries not only include paper manufacture, but industries that supply chemical to the paper industry (such as starch, dyes, etc.) and equipment and supply manufacturers.  While it is often thought that the paper industry is declining due to the "paperless office" and the advent of computers, this is not true.  About 25% of all paper used is personal care products (still needed) and about 50% is packaging (think eBay).  While the industry is changing, it will be with us for a long time and the demand for engineers is expected to be high for at least the next 5 years.

The Paper Science program is more or less an industrial chemistry program involving the application of chemistry and some engineering to the paper industry.  In addition to taking specific paper-focused courses, students are able to minor in a variety of topics such as business management, computer and information technology, biology, construction management, etc. 

Our newest and fast growing program is Bioprocess Engineering, which is "chemical engineering without the petroleum."  In this program, students get a broad chemical engineering-based education with a focus on biological processes and products.  Examples of this technology include the creation of transportation fuels and biodegradable plastics from renewable resources such as wood or other non-fossil fuel based feedstocks.  This is expected to be a fast-growing area in terms of technology and job growth.

Please see the links about to the department and the college for more information regarding these exciting educational fields and the strong job prospects in the future.

Visitors exploring the making of paper on our 12-inch paper machine.

Prospective student and her family learning about the papermaking process.

Dr. Shijie Liu explaining the process of making ethanol from woo.

Joachim Award Winner: Keith Van Scotter

On Wednesday, 15 October 2008, the 2008 Joachim Award Winner, Mr. Keith van Scotter, spoke to students, faculty, and Syracuse Pulp and Paper Foundation Board of Directors members in the Varsity Room at the Carrier Dome.  Mr. Van Scotter is currently the President and CEO of Lincoln Paper and Tissue, a company in Maine that he bought out of bankruptcy and returned to operation.  It is currently a very successful company that provides specialized tissue and paper products world-wide.

Mr. Van Scotter presented how he and several others purchased and restarted the pulp and paper mill in Lincoln, ME after it went bankrupt and shut down.  He gave a compelling case for management training and understanding more than just the technical side of the industry.  Today, Lincoln paper is expanding its production capability through the addition of another paper machine.

The forum was attended by students of all grade levels from freshman (it was part of their PSE/BPE 132 course) through seniors and included graduate students.  The students benefit greatly from the interactions with the industry people that attend events such as these and the annual meeting of the pulp and paper foundation.

 Mr. Keith Van Scotter speaking at the Joachim Forum Dinner.

The dinner portion of the Joachim Forum.

Al Moore, Keith Van Scotter, Ellen Warner, Peter Jones, and Bob Kinstrey.

Two More Companies: Mohawk Paper and Hercules

Over the past week, two more companies have been on campus to interview.  The two companies represent two major facets of the industry with Mohawk Paper representing the paper producers and Hercules representing the suppliers.  Both of these companies have been long term supporters of the department, and we appreciate their continued interest in our students and programs. 

Nancy Blair and Bob Scammell visited ESF from Mohawk Papers.  Mohawk Papers produces a wide range of premium printing and writing papers that are used by a large number of companies and organizations including the Syracuse Pulp and Paper Foundation.  The company is an active member of the Foundation and provides many donations to the college, particularly the pulp needed for the senior paper machine runs. 

Nancy and Bob also visited with the freshman orientation class to discuss interviewing skills, the topic of the day for this class.  They both had very good advice on interviewing effectively and making the best impression possible.  In the evening session, they told the students about the career possibilities with Mohawk Paper, their expectations of interns and permanent hires, and Mohawk's employment philosophy.

Nancy Blair and Bob Scammell telling students about Mohawk paper.

From Hercules, Mike Kaban visited to tell students about the opportunities available in terms of both internships and permanent positions.   Hercules has a well-developed internship program that offers students opportunities to interact with students from other universities, company management, and company new hires.  These opportunities involve both professional and social events during the course of the internship.

Hercules is a producer and marketer of specialty chemicals used in a number of different industries, including the paper industry.

Mike Kaban speaking with students.

Paper Airplane Fly-In

The Papyrus Club (student organization at SUNY-ESF) held their first annual Paper Airplane Fly-In off the bridge at Walters Hall.  Students, faculty and, staff folded, cut, taped, (and multilated) student-made paper into various forms of flying (and not) creations.

 

After folding, the planes were launched in two competitions:  distance and accuracy.  For accuracy, the objective was to hit a target on the back of the statue of Lincoln in front of Walters Hall.  Additional awards were also given for the largest and smallest airplanes that flew at least 30 feet.  The largest plane, while it did fly 30 ft, did not land quite so smoothly.

Airplanes of all sizes and designs were launched.  The "official" record for distance is 101 ft in the over 100 sq in category and 96 ft in the under 100 sq in category. 

 

The day's events concluded with a meeting of the Papyrus club, a discussion of upcoming club events, and a determination to build better planes for next year.

SCA Tissue

  The interview schedule continues this week with SCA Tissue giving an evening program on 25 September and interviewing for summer and permanent jobs on Thursday.  The evening program gave students an introduction to SCA tissue, which produces various tissue products from 100% recycled material.  In addition to their location in South Glens Fall, NY, they have locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Alabama, Arizona, and worldwide including Mexico and Russia.  The company headquarters is in Sweden.

Charlie Pound ('00) is the Fiber Prep Superintendent at their South Glens Falls location.  In addition to telling the students about SCA, he told the students about his career and how he ended up at SCA.  he also gave some very good and direct advice on interviewing skills and resume preparation.  Joan Lang is a Human Resource Generalist at the same location.  She discussed the history of the SCA mill in South Glens Falls and some general information about the company.  She also had some very good advice about interviewing and doing a job search.

The opportunities for both summer internships and permanent positions continue to come into the SPPF office.  We are anticipating a very good year for placement of students.  The jobs seem to be there for those students participating in the interviewing process.

Joan Lang discussing the opportunities at SCA Tissue.

Charlie Pound ('oo) discussing his career at SCA Tissue

Albany International on Campus

This week, Albany International was visiting and interviewing students on campus.  Albany International makes paper machine "clothing", which includes screens ("wires") and felts used to continuously make paper and to transport it through the machine.  They have locations in Homer, NY, Albany, NY, Wisconsin, Tennessee, South Carolina, and in 14 countries around the world including Hangzhou, China.

Chris Haverlock was visiting from the Menasha, WI plant, having graduated from our Paper Engineering program in May 2008.  He has been on the job for only four months and is enjoying his job that includes both engineering and research.  Chris originally worked for Albany International during one of his summer internships, which subsequently led to him being hired permanently after graduation.  Jeffrey Eggert, also a graduate of the Paper Science and Engineering program at SUNY-ESF, is the Manufacturing Manager at the Homer plant, which makes the monofilament strands that the wires are made of. 

As with last week, the students learned about the company first hand from our graduates, so that they could go into the interview process prepared.   We are finding that the job market this year is very strong, both for internships and permanent positions.

Chris Haverlock describing Albany International.

Jeffrey Eggert and Chris Haverlock answering questions about both summer and permanent positions.

Company Evening Session: Procter and Gamble

On Wednesday, 10 September, we kicked off our 2008-09 employment recruiting season with an evening program given by Procter and Gamble.  P&G is one of the largest consumer products companies producing such well known products as Bounty, Charmin, Tide, Crest, and many others.  Their manufacturing facility in Mahoopany, PA is the largest facility within P&G where they produce Bounty, Charmin, Bounty Napkins, Pampers, and Luvs.  Please see their website at http://www.pg.com for more information about the company.

P&G has been recruiting at SUNY-ESF for the past four years, and are returning this year on 2 October for interviews for summer interns.  Jess Herrington ('06, Paper Engineering), Nicole Garrisi ('07, Paper Engineering), John Ford ('08, Paper Engineering), Phani Mogalapu, and John Spencer introduced our students to the company over a dinner of Dinosaur B-B-Q.  In their presentation, they provided information about the company's philosophy of hiring from within, using summer internships as extended interviews for permanent job offers, and the variety of opportunities within the company.  Casie Goodwin ('09, Paper Engineering), currently a senior our department, spoke about her summer internship at P&G.  The evening also included a P&G trivia game that included valuable P&G products as prizes.

P&G represents the first of many companies that will be coming to campus throughout the academic year to hire students for both internships and permanent positions.

John Ford, Nicole Garrisi, and Phani Mogalapu speaking to students.

 John Spencer explaining the application and interview process.

Casie Goodwin (middle) describing her summer internship experience.  With her are Nicole Garrisi and Jess Herrington.

John Ford passing out prize to a student for correctly answering a question.

PBE at the New York State Fair

On 29 August 2008, the faculty, staff, and students of the PBE department set up at the SUNY-ESF tent to make hand-made paper.  While the day started out rainy, it stopped just before the tent opened at 10am and a steady business of customers came through to make and decorate a sheet of paper. 

Dr. Klaus Doelle helping his son make a sheet of paper. Dr. Biljana Bujanovic helping some young papermakers. Pressing the sheet of paper to remove the water. Ellen Warner, a SPPF Board of Directors member, and Samantha Appleby helping two girls decorate their sheet of paper. Dr. Shijie Liu and his family helping a girl make a sheet of paper. Holding up the finished product.

Please come and visit us next year at the fair to see how paper is made.

2008 Joachim Award Winner

Keith Van Scotter is the 15th recipient of the prestigious Herman Lewis Joachim Award for Excellence in Management, which will be presented to him on October 16, 2008 at the Syracuse Pulp and Paper Foundation’s Director’s dinner. The Joachim award is given annually to an executive whose career and achievements have been outstanding in the pulp, paper and allied industries. It is given both as a tribute to Dr. Joachim and a means of providing significant role models to young people entering the paper industry.

Mr. Van Scotter is the President and CEO of Lincoln Paper, a single mill operation that is the leading manufacturer of specialty napkin parent rolls and uncoated free-sheet printing papers. The company was formed out of bankruptcy in 2004 and with Mr. Van Scotter’s guidance has performed as an industry leader.

Mr. Van Scotter also plans to speak with the Paper and Bioprocess Engineering Students at the Student Forum at the Syracuse University Pack Room at 5 pm on October 15. Dinner will be served and all are welcome. Call Linda Fagan at 315-470-6592 for details.

New Students Have Arrived

Over the past two days, we have welcomed over 30 new students to the Paper Engineering and Bioprocess Engineering programs at SUNY-ESF.  Over the course of our department-specific orientation that started Monday, we have had the opportunity to meet the new students and their parents Monday evening over a dinner of Dinosaur B-B-Q and pictures from our recent trip to China.  After dinner, the parents left and the students began their introduction to the industry and the educational programs, as well as the information for the tours the next day.

Dinosaur B-B-Q in the Moon Library Conference Room.

 

Over the next two days, we visited three industrial sites and a forest harvesting operation.  Our first stop was the Procter and Gamble mill in Mahoopany, PA, where we were hosted by Nicole Garrisi, a graduate of the paper engineering program at ESF.  At this site, we saw their water handling and papermaking operations.  The students were quite impressed with the large one-ton roll of bathroom tissue.  Due to security, pictures were not allowed in many of the facilities.

Incoming class in front of the P&G mill.

On Tuesday, we visited the Rock-Tenn Solvay paper mill (formerly known as Solvaypaperboard).  This mill is only three miles from campus, and is involved in our senior design class.  Peter Tantalo, Director of Human Resources, was our host.  At Solvay, we learned about recycling, making linerboard and corrugating medium, water use at the mill, and the wastewater treatment at the mill. 

  Dr. Jose Iribarne (a graduate of our department) discussing environmental issues with the new students.

The incoming class in front of Rock-Tenn in Solvay.

The final stop on our industrial tour was the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Baldwinsville, NY, where our host was Adon Allen, Jr.  Here, the students learned about fermentation processes, the same processes that are used to convert wood (and corn) into fuel ethanol.  The processes have been using essentially the same yeast strain for the past 75 years to produce Budweiser and other products.  DNA analysis is often used to confirm that mutations have not occurred by comparing the yeast to bottles of beer that have been stored for 75 years.

Mr. Adon Allen describing the biological and industrial processes used to produce Budweiser and other products at the Baldwinsville plant.

The students (and the faculty and staff) are excited about starting another academic year at SUNY-ESF.

Recruiting in the Adirondacks

Mr. Ray Appleby (Manager, Pilot Operations) and myself made the trip to Warrensburg for the fourth year in a row to recruit at the DEC camps that are held there each summer.  The camps consist of high school students aged 15-17 from all around New York State.  A total of eight weeks of camps are held with each group of 50 students at camp for a week.  We will be presenting at two camps this year.

The camps are held at the Pack Demonstration Forest, one of the properties owned by SUNY-ESF.  The college leases the camp facilities to the DEC for the summer in order to hold the camps.

We gave a presentation called "Engineering, Physics, and Chemistry:  The Secrets of Money," which discusses the various techniques of papermaking, chemistry, and printing used in producing our currency to prevent counterfeiting.  The presentation also provides information about the college and particularly the programs in Paper and Bioprocess Engineering while entertaining the students with a variety of demonstrations of chemistry, engineering, and physics (Yes, we do set off a small explosion).  We leave the students with material about our programs and college. 

 

 

 

 

We are feel this to be an effective recruiting tool as we are able to reach high school students all over the state at one time and have had students visit ESF as a result of this presentation.

New Students for Fall

This fall, we will be welcoming 33 new undergraduate students (as of today) to the Department of Paper and Bioprocess Engineering at SUNY-ESF.  This represents the largest incoming class of new students over the past ten years. 

Eleven of the new students are enrolled in the Paper Engineering program, which is accredited by Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.  This program prepares students with a chemical engineering curriculum that is focused primarily on the paper and allied industries.  However, previous graduates of the program have also gone on to work in other industries.  Of the eleven students entering, nine are freshman and two are transfer students, with all of them coming from New York State.

Twenty-two students are enrolled in the Bioprocess Engineering program, which is our new program that started in 2006.  This program, which can be described as "chemical engineering without the petroleum," is focused on process and product engineering from sustainable resources and using ecologically-sound technology.  Nineteen freshman and three transfer students will be entering the program, with two of them coming from outside of New York State.

The entering freshman come highly qualified, with an average SAT score (verbal + math) of 1160 and a high school average of 90.0.  These scores mirror almost exactly the entire freshman class at SUNY-ESF.  The average SAT score of college-bound students that took the SAT in 2007 was 1017 (www.collegeboard.com) indicating that the students entering our programs (and ESF) are ready for college.   The five transfer students entering the programs had an average GPA of 3.44 at their previous institution.

We are looking forwarding to welcoming these new students in the fall.

Class of 1958

Our program in paper engineering has been in existence since 1920, making it the longest-running paper engineering program in the United States.   It was our recent pleasure to welcome back the Paper Science and Engineering Class of 1958 as they returned to SUNY ESF to celebrate their 50th Reunion. Many activities were available for their participation and we are grateful they were able to tour Walter’s Hall with many sharing their remembrances of their student days. Mr. George Treier mentioned recalling when his company (Xerox) donated the small paper machine.  Thank you to Xerox for their gift to Walter’s Hall and to the students who have benefit ed from their generosity.

R to L: G. Hunt, C. Hunt, R. Dykes, G. Treier, H. Parker, H. Gore

Returned to Syracuse

After 24 hours of traveling and three plane flights, we have returned to Syracuse and home.  Timothy is staying a bit longer to visit Hong Kong and Alan flew directly home to Boston.  The only remaining task is to readjust for the time difference, since China is exactly 12 hours ahead of the Eastern United States.  As I am typing this on Friday morning, my body is telling me that it is late evening and time for bed. 

With our return, the story of our international experience to China for the Department of Paper and Bioprocess Engineering comes to a close.  However, the blog will continue with other news and events in the department.  Please stop by occasionally to see what is happening in the department.

Our Final Day in Beijing (and China)

Our trip is nearly coming to an end; early tomorrow morning we head to the Beijing Airport for our flights back to the United States (except for Timothy, who is going on to Hong Kong for a few days).  While Dr. Liu and I visited the Beijing University of Forestry, the students had a free day which they spent exploring on their own and doing some last minute shopping. 

The final challenge of the trip will be to repack the bags with all the souvenirs and gifts that have been purchased.  It has been an incredible trip for the students and the faculty advisors alike.  We wish to thank all the people that helped us along the way to make this trip possible and unforgettable.

This final set of pictures are from the streets of Beijing.  It is  quite amazing what can be transported on a bicycle other than just people (and sometimes it is just people).

  (A cartload of stuff)

(A baby on the back)

(A boy in a car seat)

(A large sign???)

(A girlfriend and shopping bags)

 

The parks are often gathering places for the young and the old alike.  This gentleman is flying a kite on a 50 ft wide boulevard between two busy streets. 

 

Chinese chess is another popular game in the parks along with simply going for a walk.

For our final dinner, we gathered at a restaurant for a dinner of Beijing Duck, and of course several other dishes.  Here we are for our final China picture in front of the restaurant.

Most of us will be arriving in Syracuse on Thursday evening at 8:23 pm, flying our of Beijing and through Tokyo and Detroit.  Alan is flying directly to Boston while Timothy is going to Hong Kong for a few days before returning to the United States.  While we enjoyed our time in China, many of us are looking forward to our return.