Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday! Happy Halloween!

For nearly 50 years, starting from my freshman year at LSU, I have been a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). First as a student member, then, over the years, serving as a member or chair of various committees, sections, divisions, accreditation boards and commissions. ASME, established in 1880, was formed to respond to the engineering and engineering workforce needs at the dawn of the Industrial Age. Establishing and enforcing standards, “… the founders agreed, would ensure safety, reliability and operational efficiency in machine design and mechanical production.”

Like other professional engineering societies, ASME’s huge success in establishing itself as the mechanical systems’ domain-knowledgeable authority, led to establishment of Codes and Standards and formation of expert committees to issue and support them. Further, to support the vast and expanding functions of the Society, to mentor and guide the early career members and students, the “Old Guard” was established in 1956. Made up of retired and dues-exempt members, ASME’s Old Guard continues to contribute to the Society and support students and early career members.

Here at S&T, we benefit from a similar support structure and from the establishment of our own old guard, in tangible and intangible ways. Our academies are advisory and advocacy groups made up of veteran graduates and professionals associated with S&T. Affiliated with their relevant academic departments, members act as our old guards and provide material and professional support for our faculty and students alike. In every case, the academies are made up of alumni and professionals who are selected for their contributions to their profession, for their leadership and for their involvement with S&T. Outside of their academy roles and responsibilities, some of our individual old guard members transcend their defined group commitments and extend significant additional support for the university, our faculty, staff and students.

Today, as you read this message, we honor one of our own old guard members who has become more of a guardian angel for the university: Gary Havener, a 1962 graduate who left the campus after graduation but never left the university. Regardless of where he was busy growing multiple successful businesses, Gary continued guiding us and providing significant financial support for the university. Ranging from student scholarships to faculty endowments to building research and educational facilities, Gary’s support has been essential to the growth of S&T for over 60 years. As a member of our inaugural class of Alumni of Influence in 2011, his contributions have been recognized all along, culminating in today’s unveiling of his sculpture on our campus grounds.

Gary's courage to heed our calls for support, and his ceaseless and continued material support for our university and community have helped us forge a world-class university and bright future. Much of our progress commenced with his personal contributions that enabled us to carry out the tasks at hand. Thanks to Gary’s guidance, all along the way, our perspectives widened and our focus became more communal.

Personally, I am grateful for many of our old guard members whose support has empowered and inspired all of us here at S&T to help elevate others so that they can do more, achieve more and become rainmakers in their own right. It is now our job, the beneficiaries of all the generosity, to celebrate the legacy that has enhanced our mission.

To Gary and to all our guardian angels, I say “thank you.” Thank you for elevating our perspective and helping us transition from limited self-interest to broader, more rewarding shared interest. Just as you have all along.

Warmly,

-Mo.
 
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• S&T launches St. Louis hybrid master’s degree in engineering management
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• S&T professor named Engineering Unleashed Fellow

Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu