Miami Presents: Paper Science and Engineering - Miami’s Role in the Future of the Pulp and Paper Industry

Presented on: Thursday, May 20th at 12:00 PM EDT




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Miami’s program in paper science and engineering has a long, distinguished history, with courses on paper and pulp being offered since 1957, the establishment of the Paper Science & Engineering (PS&E) Foundation in 1960, and creation of the first ABET-accredited PS&E program in the US in 1999. Today, the program continues to be a strength in the College of Engineering and Computing by preparing students for careers in the pulp and paper industry and as a model for how academia and industry can work together.  Join us for a discussion of the past and current successes of the paper science and engineering program, and hear about how the program is changing to meet the needs of the future.

Dr. Beena Sukumaran became dean of Miami's College of Engineering and Computing in August 2020. She previously served as vice president for research at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. Beena received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the College of Engineering in Trivandrum, India, and a master’s in civil engineering from Auburn University. She earned a doctorate from Purdue University. While at Rowan, Sukumaran was principal investigator of a $1.92 million National Science Foundation grant, titled Revolutionizing Engineering Diversity, which looked at various strategies to enhance the diversity and success of the student population.

Dr. Keith L. Hohn is Chair and Professor of the Department of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering at Miami University. He received his PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Minnesota in 1999. He then joined the Department of Chemical Engineering at Kansas State University, where we worked for 20 years before moving to Miami University in 2019. Dr. Hohn’s research interests are in heterogeneous catalysis, with emphasis on energy applications. In particular, he has researched the conversion of hydrocarbons and alcohols to hydrogen and catalytic processes for converting biomass to fuels and chemicals.

Dr. Gary Rudemiller is a 1982 graduate of the Paper Science & Engineering program at Miami University.  He attended the Institute of Paper Chemistry (subsequently renamed the Institute of Paper Science and Technology) for  his MS and PhD.  During his 30+ year career in the paper industry, he held positions primarily in paper operations from paper machine superintendent through VP of Operations.  He participated in the Paper Science & Engineering Foundation in various volunteer roles since 1995, eventually serving as President from 2011 to 2013.  Since 2017, he has served as the Foundation’s Executive Director.

This virtual event is free to attend, but registration is required.  Please reach out to Mollie Young with any questions at youngmr@miamioh.edu.