August 3, 2007

Dear Students and Faculty,

                We hope that your summer has been both productive and enjoyable.  Now that the fall semester is here, it is time once again to begin preparations for the 21^st Annual Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Conference.  This year, the conference will be held on Monday, August 27^th.  As with conferences in the past, the day will be filled with presentations and poster sessions from students in all areas of departmental research.  Lunch will be provided to graduate students and faculty, and a group photograph will also be taken.

The conference will consist of two types of presentations:

- Oral presentations, and

- Poster presentations.

· The oral presentations with focus on individual research.  They will be made by all second, third, and fourth year students.  The presentations should be 10-12 minutes in length with 3-5 minutes for questions.

· Senior graduate students (fifth, sixth and seventh year) will present their research at the poster session.

· First year students are required only to attend the conference; however, if they wish to present results either from summer research or research conducted as an undergraduate, they may do so.

· Finally, senior students (fifth year and beyond) will be asked to serve as room chairs for the individual research presentations.

The conference website is located here http://www.nd.edu/~amegsc, and you can contact us at amegsc@nd.edu.  Below is a list of a number of action items we wish to bring to your attention.

First, please check the conference website to determine your status and understand if you need to present a talk, a poster, or a chair session.  Please contact amegsc@nd.edu if you believe your status is not listed correctly.

Second, please send an RSVP e-mail to amegsc@nd.edu with the following information by Thursday, August 16^th (11:59pm):

1) Will you be attending the conference (Yes/No):

2) Indicate if you are giving a Presentation/Poster:

If you are presenting a Poster, please list the title:

3) Will you be attending the luncheon (Yes/No):

                       If so, what is your choice for lunch:

                       (Lunch options are listed below.)

4) Will your spouse be attending the luncheon (Yes/No):

                        If so, what is his/her choice for lunch:

All graduate students are required to attend the conference.  Any student who will not be able to attend the graduate student conference due to justifiable reason (i.e. attendance at a national conference) must contact amegsc@nd.edu know of their impending absence from the graduate student conference by Thursday, August 16^th (11:59pm).

If you will be attending the luncheon, the following choices are available*:

1) Tuscan inspired sirloin with fresh Italian herbs. (Beef)

2) Cedar planked smoked salmon with horseradish sauce. (Seafood)

3) Butternut squash risotto with roasted red peppers, cipollini and roasted tomato broth. (Vegetarian)

4) Spinach and artichoke stuffed breast of chicken with tomato relish and pesto drizzle. (Poultry)

*Each includes choice of Morris inn house salad, dinner rolls, Chef selection fresh seasonal vegetable, dessert and beverage.

Third, the abstract submission deadline for all oral presenters is Thursday, August 16^th (11:59pm).  Abstract submission will be done through the conference website at http://www.nd.edu/~amegsc/.  Abstracts are not required for poster presentations.

Fourth, the presentation submission deadline for the oral presentations is Thursday, August 23^rd (11:59pm).  All presentations will be assumed to be given using a computer and LCD projector.  If you require an overhead projector, please contact amegsc@nd.edu.  The conference will be held in rooms 129, 138 and 140 DeBartolo Hall.  These rooms will be available on Friday, August 24^th, the week before the conference, so that you may practice your talk.  If you are submitting a poster, please bring your completed poster with you to the conference before 8:30 am.  The GSDO asks that posters be 30 inches by 40 inches in size.  Poster board, tacks, or other materials are available if needed.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to contact amegsc@nd.edu.  Thank you for your participation, and we look forward to another successful conference year.

Sincerely,

AME GSDO