Engineering Programs

Mission Statement

“The mission of Anderson University is to educate for a life of faith and service in the church and society.”

Engineering Program Mission

“The Mission of Anderson University’s Engineering Program is to develop highly-qualified, innovative, servant leaders.”

Living the Mission

• Highly Qualified Engineers - We provide a Christ-centered, hands-on education, grounded in the liberal arts that inspires students toward excellence in engineering.
• Innovative Thinkers - We model resourceful, pioneering, and creative thinking to uniquely mentor students to deal with the challenges of vocation, life, and community.
• Servant Leaders - We seek to live God-honoring lives of integrity, and share the importance of Christ-like servanthood.  “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…” Mark 10:44-45

Program Characteristics

• Theoretical Knowledge - Anderson University Engineering students will have advanced mathematical, scientific, and engineering skills---including significant design, problem-solving, and data processing ability---built upon a liberal arts foundation.
• Practical Experience - Anderson University Engineering students will have significant hands-on experiences, driven by laboratory exercises, research assistantships, internships, project management, and interdisciplinary opportunities.
• Grounded in Faith - Anderson University Engineering students will be life-long learners who, through the lens of a Christian worldview, will recognize God’s calling on their lives to serve the Church and society.

Program Educational Objectives

Engineering students from Anderson University, three to five years post graduation, will be improving society by:

• actively serving Christ in their local church, community, and/or worldwide,
• using a Biblical worldview for professional and ethical decision making,
• thriving professionally individually and in teams, and
• successfully pursuing advanced degrees, certifications, and/or professional development opportunities.

Student Outcomes

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Our students achieve these outcomes through the lens of a Christian worldview and will recognize God’s calling on their lives to serve God and society.

Student Enrollment Data

Student Graduation Data

Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Charles (Chuck) Staley serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Flagship Enterprise Center (FEC). Mr. Staley heads the area of engagement at Anderson University. He has built numerous residential, commercial, and industrial facilities and has successfully launched several new businesses in central Indiana. He has a wealth of experience in asset and property management as well as local and regional economic development expertise to the Board. Member Community Health Network board of directors.

James (Jim) Ault is currently serving as Subsidiary Chairman of the Board and Director at First Merchants and as Chairman on the Flagship Enterprise Center Board of Directors. Jim comes from a strong background in Engineering as he served in various companies with positions including: Director of Engineering, Division General Manager, Executive-in-Charge of the European Components, all with General Motors, and many other positions. Community service has been a priority to Jim as he organized and started the Boys & Girls club in Saginaw, MI, served on the Madison County Community Foundation Board, chaired the restoration fundraising committee for the Paramount Heritage Foundation Board, Co-chaired the Anderson Fine Arts Center, and served on the board for the Wilson’s Boys and Girls club.

Katherine (Kathy) L. Davis serves as the owner of Davis Design Group, where she assists her clients in developing tools for designing public systems and change strategies. She is actively involved as a board member with the following not-for-profit organizations: Noble of Indiana; the Indiana Museum of African American History; the University of Evansville Institute of Global Enterprise; and the Purdue University College of Science Dean’s Leadership Council.  A graduate of MIT (Mechanical Engineering) and Harvard Business School, Kathy moved to Indiana in 1982 when she was hired by Cummins Engine Company.  Kathy served as Controller of the City of Indianapolis, managing the finances of the nation’s 12th largest city.  Soon after, Gov. Joe Kernan appointed Kathy to fill his term as Lieutenant Governor following the death of Gov. Frank O’Bannon. Her appointment as the first female Lieutenant Governor was unanimously approved by both the Indiana House of Representatives and Senate.

Jim Luckman is currently a Partner with Lean Transformations Group LLC.  Jim has worked in the auto industry for 34 years employed at Delphi Automotive (formerly part of General Motors). He has had significant experience in Strategic Planning, Engineering and Manufacturing. In his most recent position at Delphi, he was Site Manager at the Technical Center of Rochester, NY, and Chief Engineer for Fuel Systems. He led a transformation at the Technical Center by adopting lean manufacturing principles and applying Toyota product development principles. Jim is a recognized leader in Lean Implementation in the U.S. and abroad, and is an associate with the Lean Enterprise Group founded by Jim Womack of MIT.  Jim engages with companies in several areas including Managing Value Stream Improvement Projects, Value Stream Mapping for Office and Services, Lean Product Development, and Transformational Leadership.  He also is a faculty member of the Gestalt International Study Center.

State Representative Terri Austin has served in the Indiana General Assembly since 2002.  During her time in the House, she has championed legislation to help improve the lives of Hoosiers and to advance the state’s economic climate through transportation, technology, education, small business, and workforce development.  She has been recognized as Legislator of the Year by state and national associations and organizations.  She received her B.S. and M.A.E. from Ball State University and her Educational Administration and Supervision Certificate from Butler University.  In addition to her legislative responsibilities, Terri served as an Adjunct Professor of Education at Anderson University from 2003-2011.   Prior to joining Anderson University, she served as a classroom teacher and administrator for Anderson Community Schools for twenty years. She is also a past member of the Region 5 Workforce Development Board for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.  Terri is active in several clubs and initiatives throughout Madison County, including Anderson Rotary Club, American Association of University Women, Madison Co. Educational Coalition.  She is married to Michael Austin and they are the parents of two grown sons.   Terri is a member of Park Place Church of God.

Todd Reese received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1993.  He started in the rapid prototyping industry as his final semester was winding down. Early in his career, he had the opportunity to work hands-on with a variety of 3D Printing technologies and it quickly became a passion.  As a founding owner of Realize, Inc., Todd envisioned an organization where customer service and quality were paramount. Realize, Inc, established in 1999, is the premier rapid prototyping service provider in Indiana and one of the largest service bureaus located in the Midwest. Our focus is partnering with our clients as an extension of their team to provide them with the best solutions for their projects.

Eric Miller runs Ascension’s software-defined networking automation that enables secure connectivity to support Internet of Things and other technology advances – using methods that he says can advance the impact of IoT. Eric Miller runs Ascension’s software-defined networking automation that enables secure connectivity to support Internet of Things and other technology advances – using methods that he says can advance the impact of IoT. Responsible for operational performance, strategic direction, and governance of technical security, infrastructure, business continuity, and quality for a region within the nation’s largest non-profit health system. Lead the national data network strategic, architectural, and engineering functions. the nation’s largest non-profit health system and the largest Catholic health system in the world. Eric has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management and an MBA from Bowling Green, and an MS in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins.

Lisa Laughner is currently the President and CEO of Go Electric Inc, an early stage renewable energy company developing power management solutions for microgrids and uninterruptible power systems. Passionate about economic growth and sustainability, she also consults on the Indiana Supplier Insight project, a key Conexus Indiana program to help grow Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. At Rolls Royce she was Vice President, Corporate Ventures. A founding member of the ventures team in Derby, England, Lisa, and her colleagues developed a world-class technology commercialization and venture spin-out process and vetted 8000 patents, incubated 28 spin-out projects and launched companies in Biometrics, RFID Logistics, Project Management Software, Patient Health Monitoring, and Video Game industries. Lisa also created and launched the Conexus Indiana organization while on executive loan from Rolls Royce. Lisa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue, an MBA from The Open University and Executive Leadership Training from University of Virginia – Darden Graduate School of Business Administration.

Ellie Rusling is CEO of MicroEra Power in Rochester, NY.  MicroEra Power is a manufacturer of highly efficient on-site Combined Cooling, Heat, and Power systems.  She is also principal at Merrill Rusling LLC, a start-up consulting Company, coordinating services including investor relations, liaison for legal formation and operating documents, communications, website content. In addition, Ellie is Executive Director of AHEAD Energy Corporation formed as a non-profit organization in 1988.  Having its headquarters at the University of Rochester and connections globally, it works toward a world in which universal access to energy enables all people to attain a high quality of life on a thriving planet. Ellie has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Development from Smith College and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of Rochester.

Tom Snyder is President Emeritus of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. Mr. Snyder served as the CEO and President of Remy International Inc. (formerly, Delco Remy International Inc.).   He led the management buyout of Delco Remy from General Motors in 1994. He held a variety of managerial and executive positions with the Delco Remy Division of General Motors from 1973 to 1994. He was a Member of the prestigious World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He serves as a Member of the Executive Council of the Saint Theodore Guerin High School in Noblesville. He serves as a Member of the Board of Visitors of Hudson Institute and of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis. Mr. Snyder graduated from Kettering University, (formerly, General Motors Institute) in 1967 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Rob Sparks is Executive Director of the Madison County/Anderson Corporation for Economic Development.  Rob Sparks is a life long area resident of Anderson, Indiana. Rob worked for a local supermarket chain for 20 years, retiring as an Assistant Store Manager in 1996. Following his retirement, Rob sought to use his small business background in the rental real-estate and rehab field. During the next 8 years, Rob owned 70 units and rehabilitated four buildings in the Historic District in Anderson.  In 2003 Rob began assisting in a political campaign for the office of mayor in Anderson. Once Mayor Smith was elected, Rob was asked to serve as Chairman of the Board of Works and Deputy Mayor.  During these four years he worked with CED on numerous projects, including the Nestlé project. In July of 2007 the CED board of directors requested that Rob serve as interim director and four months later they offered him the job as executive Director, which he accepted.  During his tenure at CED, Rob has had the opportunity to travel extensively and network with his international business contacts. He has visited China, Japan, Korea, Canada, Germany, and India.  Rob has been married for 26 years to his wife Shelly and they have two kids, Jon and Kristin, both whom recently graduated from Anderson University.

Ms. Dawn Replogle currently serves as the Sub-Region Manager of the URS Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Louisville offices with over 250 employees with backgrounds including transportation, water resources, facilities, and environmental. She brings over 20 years of engineering experience, primarily serving the needs of transportation and infrastructure clients. She has extensive overall project management experience including fast track design with traditional construction procurements as well as design-build and public-private partnerships for large transportation projects. Ms. Replogle is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Civil Engineering.  She is actively involved in the community including participation in educational foundations and advisory boards.

• Conexus Indiana, Logistics Executive Committee (2010 to Present)
• Indy Chamber, Transportation Infrastructure and Environmental Committee (2013 to present)
• WTS International – Greater Indianapolis Chapter
• American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Indiana
• IUPUI POWER (Preparing Outstanding Women for Engineering Roles) Camp Volunteer (2007)
• Riley Children’s Hospital Volunteer (2003 to 2004)
• Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation Board of Directors (2005 to 2008)
• IUPUI School of Engineering & Technology Advisory Board (2007 to 2009)
• ACE Academy Board (2009 -2010)

John D. Ritchison is a Registered Patent Attorney starting his practice in 1993, as well as a Registered Professional Engineer since 1975. His education includes Doctor of Jurisprudence Indiana University School of Law (1985), M.S. Mechanical Engineering Rose Hulman Institute of Technology (1972), as well as a B.S. Mathematics degree from Rose Polytechnic Institute (1971). John has obtained much of his experience in the business world throughout his career while working for Delphi and General Motors for over 30 years. During that time he was Staff and Chief Engineer as well as Plant Manager in Anderson Operations and General Director overseas in Portugal for 4 years. After retiring from Delphi and GM, John started practicing law specializing in Intellectual Property and Business Law. John is a member of the State Bar of Indiana, Northern and Southern Federal District Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. John has extensive experience in the business world serving as a principal organization leader with multiple companies, executing planning, developing, establishing policies and objectives of organization with the board directives, and corporation charter. As well as developing financial planning, budgeting and full responsibility of P&L’s and Balance Sheets.
John resides in Anderson Indiana, with his wife Patty.

Robert L. (Bob) Nist is currently Vice President and Information Officer, Medicines Development, Manufacturing, and Quality at  Eli Lilly and Company  Bob has been with Eli Lilly and Company for 31 years.  He started in 1983 as a Staff Organic Chemist and has held various positions, including  Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Dept Head, IT Manager and Director of IT and Manufacturing.  Bob has a BS in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from Purdue University and a Masters in Computer Science from Purdue University.

Chad Gooding is currently Vice President of DEEM Electrical and Mechanical and has been since 2008. Duties include overseeing 300 people in Estimating, Project Management, Engineering and Operations. Previous to DEEM, Chad served as East Coast Operations for development company Greenfield Builders, based in New Jersey.  He is a 1998 graduate of Purdue University’s Building Construction Management Program.  Some current interests include Standardbred Horse racing, which includes owning a 143 stall, 58-acre farm in Anderson, IN called Pacesetter Farm.  Additional activities include being on the Board of Directors of Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis and Indiana Standardbred Association.

Mike Montgomery is a partner and principal architect with krM Architecture. Through 40 years of practice, Mike has helped clients in the Midwest build and improve their buildings to match their educational or wellness mission. Mike is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional and a member of The American Institute of Architects. His firm was recently named the 2016 Distinguished Firm by the Indiana Society of Architects, and employees 22 individuals in offices in Anderson and Indianapolis.  Mike graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree.

Keith Musser is president and principal engineer at Integrated Dynamics, Inc., which he founded in 1997.  His recent work is developing software and controls for utility-scale grid-tied batteries and hybrid power plants.  In the past, he has developed engine controls and has technical expertise in automotive network communication protocols, as well as software architecture.  Keith received his undergraduate engineering degree in 1986 from LeTourneau University, which had the first ABET accredited program in Christian higher education.  He also holds an MSEE from The Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D. in EE from the University of Maryland at College Park.  He is married to Melanie Musser, an AU adjunct faculty member in Social Work and Family Science.  They are the parents of two teenage children.

Terry Pahls currently serves as Senior Engineering Consultant and Adjunct Professor of Engineering at Anderson University.  Most recently he was President and C.O.O. of I Power Energy Systems.  He also served as Director of Supply Chain for DTE Energy Technologies, Inc. Detroit, Michigan  Mr. Pahls is one of the management “founders” of Remy International, a spin-off from General Motors, and participated in the formation and the eventual sale of I Power Technologies, Inc. to DTE Energy Technologies.  His assignments with Remy included Executive Director of Manufacturing Engineering and World Wide Vice President of Quality and Customer Satisfaction.  During his assignments, he participated in rationalizing and re-shaping the manufacturing operations at Remy into “focused factories” and subsequently expanding the manufacturing operations to Mexico, Hungary, Poland, Korea, India, and Brazil. In previous professional experiences, Mr. Pahls has directed staffs in manufacturing, and product and manufacturing, engineering.  He was also responsible as Program Manager for several new product introductions of original equipment automotive components.  He received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the former General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and received a General Motors Fellowship to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, receiving a graduate degree in Chemical Engineering.  He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Indiana.  In civic work, Mr. Pahls serves on the board of several United Way organizations and was President of the Madison County Redevelopment Commission.  He also serves on the Industrial Advisory Board at the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, Indiana University- Purdue University Indianapolis.

Dr. Chad Wallace was an undergraduate student at Anderson University. He loved AU so much; he returned to join the faculty in the fall of 2000. Because of his background in organometallic chemistry, he teaches organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and several other advanced chemistry courses. His research at Anderson University has been mostly in the area of chemical synthesis. He has investigated the synthesis and efficacy of chemotherapy drugs to fight lymphoma cancer cells. His most recent work involves the synthesis of 3D organometallic frameworks and pyrene-based fluorescent sensors. In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Wallace has spent the last several years developing a small organic chemistry textbook to simplify the sometimes difficult-to-understand concepts in that subject. Dr. Wallace has a heart for the gospel. He invests well in the lives of his AU students. For example, he has taken several trips with AU students to rural Honduras to do medical missions. The worked with doctors (some who were AU alumni) to provide health care in remote mountain villages. Dr. Wallace is married to his wonderful wife Amy, with whom he has three children; a daughter, Ally, and two sons, Carson and Mason. He loves Jesus, his family, and his friends. He enjoys basketball, camping, and driving around the U.S. with his family over summer breaks.

Dr. Scott Kennedy has taught a broad range of courses in chemistry and physics during his tenure at Anderson University and maintains an active research program studying the antimicrobial properties of polymer solutions and polymeric coatings. In 2009 Dr. Kennedy began consulting for a start-up company that formulates and distributes unique antimicrobial products to a wide variety of markets. In 2010, Dr. Kennedy partnered with his colleagues in the Department of Physical Sciences and Engineering to form Aurum Consulting, a scientific consulting firm that provides services to small businesses and educators in central Indiana. In addition to meeting the needs of its clients, Aurum Consulting also provides exciting internship and research opportunities to Anderson University students. While on sabbatical during the 2011-2012 academic year, Dr. Kennedy earned his M.B.A. His primary motivation for pursuing this degree was to better understand the demands that are being placed on young, professional scientists and engineers as they enter a work environment that is very different from the environment encountered by previous generations. Dr. Kennedy is married to his wonderful wife Melinda, with whom he has three daughters: Cassandra, Jadyn, and Amber. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, teaching and playing tennis at the local racquet club, and playing intramural sports.

Dr. John Millis has taught a broad range of courses in physics and astronomy at Anderson University and maintains an active research program in very high-energy astrophysics. He is a member of the VERITAS (Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System) Collaboration, which operates an array of four air-Cherenkov gamma-ray telescopes located in southern Arizona. The focus of Dr. Millis’s work is to understand how radiation is produced by rapidly rotating neutron stars, and how these objects interact with the surrounding medium. His research at Anderson University has been supporting by funding from NASA and the Indiana Space Grant Consortium (INSGC), for which he serves as the Affiliate Director. Dr. Millis also oversees the campus observatory, which underwent a significant upgrade in 2012. In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Millis has spent the last several years writing about physics, astronomy, and space for various media outlets. After spending nearly four years with About.com as their guide to space and astronomy, he left to take a position as the Vice President for Content Development at redOrbit.com. There, in addition to contributing as a writer, Dr. Millis develops new content initiatives relating to space and astronomy. His podcast series, Your Universe Today on redOrbit.com, was developed in partnership with Covenant Productions at Anderson University. On this program, Dr. Millis interviews leading researchers in astrophysics and space science in an effort to bring cutting-edge research to the masses. This work has been met with critical acclaim and has garnered a significant following. Currently, he is working on a documentary film series, chronicling research being conducted at NASA facilities around the country. Dr. Millis is married to his wonderful wife Melissa, with whom he has two young sons, Noah and Israel. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing the piano and pretending to be good at various sports. He is also an avid fan of college and professional football.