“Freedom!” James Ocasio, a member of Systems Test Engineering of Advanced Manufacturing Development (AMD) at EMC? Corporation, Franklin Massachusetts, didn’t hesitate for one moment before he expressed that one simple word in response to a question about how he felt about completing his bachelor’s degree program at New England Institute of Technology. James and classmates Kpingni (Penny) Bleou, Robert Cherenfant, Charles Cyr, Karen Felton, and Charles Harter recently put the finishing touches on their Senior Project, and then showcased their design in a Senior Seminar presentation to the faculty members of the Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) department.

The talents of these six dedicated students truly impressed the EET faculty review committee comprised of Vin Scotto, Department Chair, who along with Associate Professors Dan Masterson and Mike Woodside, and adjunct instructor Gary Belanger, provided the instructional expertise to these students. All were pleased with the creative designs and the functional operation of the projects built by the group.

Chuck Harter and Jim Ocasio designed a digital blood pressure monitor (also known as a sphygmomanometer). Medical personnel would utilize this portable blood pressure monitor that automatically inflates and deflates the arm cuff and determines the systolic and diastolic pressures as well as the resting pulse rate. The unit displays its readings on a liquid crystal display (LCD) and records and stores up to ten readings in memory that can be recalled on demand by the medical technician.

Robert Cherenfant and Kpingni Bleou masterfully created a digital multimeter. This project required a compact and accurate design of a portable digital multimeter. This is a tool that is commonly used by technicians worldwide for measuring AC and DC circuits for voltage and current as well as resistance.

Charles Cyr and Karen Felton corroborated on a car PC. They designed a personal computer based system with a touch screen that could be installed into the dash of a car. This system was space efficient enough to fit within the footprint of a typical car radio. The system incorporates a theft-deterrent shutter that automatically closes to hide the display screen when not in use. The touch screen is programmable and offers a customized menu that allows the user to select from an entertaining assortment of functions and navigation aids ranging from Global Positioning System (GPS), XM? satellite radio, MP3 player, or video player. The screen can also display temperatures inside and outside of the vehicle.

While earning this degree is a quite an accomplishment for the graduates, it was also another significant achievement in the nearly decade-long partnership between EMC and NEIT. EMC Corporation is the world leader in products, services, and solutions for information storage and its management. This is the second group of EMC employees that have completed their BSEET degree requirements by studying on-site at EMC’s U.S. manufacturing location in Franklin, MA. They now join ranks with members of an exclusive group of colleagues who earned their BSEET degree in the Spring 2002 in NEIT’s inaugural on-site degree program at EMC. All of the classes for both programs, with the exception of the Senior Project class, which was held in Warwick and an online HU/SS elective, were conducted at EMC’s Franklin facility. The objective of this NEIT degree program, as it is with all other programs designed in partnership with EMC, is technical skills training for EMC‘s employees.

For their efforts, these students will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering Technology at NEIT’s next commencement ceremony in May 2006. They, and all others completing one of NEIT’s nearly 30 degree programs, will have the opportunity to share in their accomplishments with family and friends.

Per Vin Scotto, speaking on behalf of the EET faculty and all of us at NEIT offer sincere congratulations to these students for the completion of this education milestone, and we wish them continued success in their EMC careers.

On August 16, the Student Occupational Therapy Association Club (SOTA) sponsored a visit from Jeffrey Galli. Jeffrey was 17 years old when he dove into a swimming pool, struck his head, and sustained a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. That was 7 years ago. Jeff is now living at home and is a student at URI.
    The Media Presentation Theatre was full as Jeff described his typical day, demonstrated the capabilities of his $25,000 wheelchair, and spoke of the adaptations he and his father have created to allow him to use his computer. He answered several questions from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology (OTA) students during his hour presentation.
    "I thought the presentation was great. Jeff has been through so much with his physical limitations, but he keeps on fighting. He is really an inspiration to us all,” stated OTA student Kelly Ferreira.
    Occupational therapy aims at helping people return to their everyday lives. When an accident such as Jeff's occurs, OTA recommends adaptations to allow the client to function as much as possible. Although he is paralyzed from his neck down, adaptations allow Jeff to be in control of his computer and wheelchair. Jeff demonstrated how he operates his laptop computer by a joystick that is controlled by his mouth.
     After the presentation, Jeff toured the Occupational Therapy lab and the Mechanical Engineering Technology department.