UCLA Engineering: UCLA Engineer Magazine

UCLA Engineering Honors Alumni, Faculty and Students at 2005 Awards Dinner

2005 Alumnus of the Year, Henry Nicholas.

The UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of alumni, students, and faculty at the Awards Dinner, held on November 4, 2005 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. With more than 400 colleagues and friends in attendance, awards were presented to 11 exceptionally talented individuals, including the co-founder of Broadcom, Henry Nicholas (BS ’82, MS ’85, PhD ’98), who was honored as Alumnus of the Year.

KNBC 4 reporter and engineering alumnus Patrick Healy, with UCLA Engineering Dean Vijay K. Dhir, emceed the event, which focused on the School's 60th anniversary.

A video prepared especially for the dinner highlighted the School’s early days, and showcased innovative new research in alternative energy and clean water, as well as other interdisciplinary research centers that will play a major role in the School’s future.

USC professor George Bekey (BS ’50, MS ’52, PhD ’62) garnered the Alumni Achievement in Academia Award, and the Professional Achievement Award was presented to Jeff Lawrence (BS ’79), founder, president and CEO of Clivia Systems.

Vincent Gau (MS ’98, PhD ’01) received the UCLA Engineering Distinguished Young Alumnus Award and Aaron Cohen (BS ’58) the UCLA Engineering Alumni Association Service Award.

Computer science professor Richard Korf received the Lockheed Martin Excellence in Teaching Award. The Northrop Grumman Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to electrical engineering assistant professor Lei He and to Laurent Pilon, assistant professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Edward K. Rice, who generously established an endowed fund to support the student awards, took to the stage to present the 2005 Outstanding Student honors: Undergraduate, Kristina Cydzik (BS ’05); Master’s, Philip Wegge (BS ’04, MS ’05); and Doctoral, Vijay Raghunathan (MS ’02, PhD ’05).

- M. Abraham

Photo: Glenn Cratty