2013 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Medals Announcement

Each year the College of Engineering at UC Davis recognizes several of its notable graduates with the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Medal (DEAM). For 2013, the College of Engineering has selected six alumni to receive DEAM Medals for excellence in business, education, and public service. The awards will be presented at a special event on Saturday, January 25 at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco

DEAM recipients are UC Davis engineering graduates with 15 or more years of professional experience; have a record of outstanding professional or technical achievement; have rendered distinguished service to the College of Engineering, the engineering profession or the community; and have contributed in a significant way to the reputation of UC Davis. DEAM awards are granted in three categories: Excellence in Business; Excellence in Education; and Excellence in Public Service. 

2013 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Medal (DEAM) Recipients 

PUBLIC SERVICE 

Rose and Dave McCallen 

After 30 years in leadership positions at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Dave McCallen(M.S. ’82, Ph.D. ’86) presently serves as associate vice president of laboratory programs in the Laboratory Management Office at the University of California Office of the President (UCOP). As AVP of lab programs, McCallen lead’s the university system’s oversight of the scientific and mission programs at three national laboratories (Los Alamos, LBNL, and Lawrence Livermore). Rose McCallen (M.S. ’84, Ph.D. 93) is the group leader for applied mathematics in the Center for Applied Scientific Computing (CASC) at LLNL. 

Humberto Rincon 

As an undergraduate, Humberto Rincon (B.S. ’78) founded CALESS (Chicano and Latino Engineers and Scientists) and organized the first Latino engineering and science symposium at the university. The organization continues to support Latino students at the College of Engineering. Rincon continues to be involved as an advisor and sponsor of CALESS and as an advisory committee member of the new LEADR Center. 

BUSINESS 

Christine Gulbranson 

Named among the “Top 40 Under 40 Business Leaders of Silicon Valley,” Christine Gulbranson (B.S. ’94, M.S. ’95 and Ph.D. ’97) is the founder and CEO of Christalis LLC, advising Fortune 1000 companies on strategic management, operations, technology transfer/commercialization, and funding assistance in the area of alternative energy and nanotechnology. A judge on the Discovery Channel reality show “The Big Brain Theory,” Gulbranson is passionate about attracting more women into STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and business. 

Jeffrey C. Hoopes 

A 30-year veteran of the construction industry, Jeffrey C. Hoopes (B.S. ’80) is CEO of Swinterton, Inc., which provides commercial construction services throughout the western U.S. and with offices in six states. Hoopes currently serves on the board of the Bay Area Council and Catholic Youth Organization; and also serves on the Advisory Board for the Trust for Public Land. 

Earl Rennison 

A vice-president at Monster Worldwide, Earl Rennison (B.S. ’88) was co-founder and CTO of Perspecta, Inc., which was acquired by Excite@Home in 1999. Rennison then co-founded Trovix, which commercialized a system to deliver comprehensive relevant results for job searches. In 2008 Monster purchased Trovix for $72.5 million. Rennison continues to contribute to the College of Engineering, through service on the Dean’s Executive Committee. 

ACADEMIC 

Ted Odell 

After 26 years in leadership positions with Intel, Ted Odell (B.S. ’78) recently began began teaching science and physics at Oakmont High School in Roseville, CA. Odell left a lucrative career in business to devote his life to engaging the next generation of students with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

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