The College of Engineering and Technology at Brigham Young University has named Michael Rice, a professor of engineering and technology, as the first recipient of the Jim Abrams and Anita Schiller Professorship.
Abrams, a 1978 BYU electrical engineering graduate, and his wife are sponsoring the professorship along with the International Foundation of Telemetering, which funds only five universities to perform research in the telemetry field.
"It's humbling. It took a lot of work from a lot of people to bring the professorship together," said Rice, whose research focuses on telemetry. "I'm going to use the funds generated mostly for student support to develop innovative curricula in the wireless communications area."
Rice's work in telemetry is directly related to Jim Abrams' work in wireless communication. Abrams was vice president of Cisco Systems Inc., which provides networking for the Internet. Abrams said he is pleased with the professorship recipient.
"I have a high degree of confidence in Michael Rice and his team," Abrams said. "I trust them to know how to use the funding."
The International Foundation for Telemetering is also pleased that Rice will be using the funding to further telemetry research at BYU.
"There is a good engineering program at BYU," said Victor Hammond, an emeritus board member of the International Foundation for Telemetering. "Dr. Rice has certainly supplemented this field."
In addition to his telemetry work and research, Rice has contributed to the college in other areas.
"Michael Rice has been selected for several reasons," said David Anthony, assistant dean in the College of Engineering and Technology, "but first because of his outstanding citizenship in the college."
Rice has headed the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Review, which is responsible for ensuring a rigorous engineering curriculum in colleges and universities.
"Many, many schools are not passing the review, and he's done an outstanding job at helping his department receive the standard of accreditation at BYU," Anthony said.
Rice, who received a doctorate from Georgia Tech University, has taught at BYU since 1991. While at BYU, he has advised the Society of Women Engineers and worked with students on senior projects.
Writer: Liesel Enke
