DepartmentNews MechEMember Departs for Retirement Dolores Smiller


In September,MechE bid“Happy Retirement”to one of itsmost appreciated staffmembers,Dolores Smiller.After nearly 40 years of service to CarnegieMellon, almost 30 years of that service toMechE,Smiller retired fromher position as FacultyAssistant. When Smiller first arrived atMechE in 1980, she was immediately handed a


difficult assignment—using a computer for her job. “I remember thinking,well, I probably will not be on this job


very long,because I don’t have a clue on how to use this thing,” Smiller says.“Many computers later, I guess it’s safe to say I learned how to use them!” Smiller not only adapted to changing technologies, she quickly


became a valuable asset to the Department—always eager to lend a hand or a camera.As Department Photographer,Smiller frequently employed her creative skills by capturingMechEmoments through- out the years.During retirement,Smiller would like to further develop her photography and other artistic interests, including watercolor painting. At her retirement celebration,Smiller noted,“TheMechanical


Engineering Department has been an important part ofmy life all these years and I will certainlymiss it.”Her friends, faculty, and students will certainlymiss her as well.Everyone atMechE is thankful to Smiller for her hard work, service, andmany contribu- tions to the Department, and we congratulate her on this new phase of her life.


Faculty GiveThanks: “Dolores was an immense help to me in starting up my faculty career. I’m especially grateful for her support, her patience, and her kindness during that time.” - Associate Professor Shelley Anna


Smiller with appreciative students from Associate Professor O.Burak Ozdoganlar’s lab


“Dolores evolved with us as we matured as professors.As one of those professors, I will always be personally grateful.” - Associate Professor C. Fred Higgs III


“I hope Dolores knows how much I appreciate her important contributions to myself and my lab since the first day I arrived here.” - Associate Professor O. Burak Ozdoganlar


MechEWelcomes Chris Hertz ChrisHertz


This summer,Chris Hertz joined the Department ofMechanical Engineering as its new Graduate Program Coordinator, responsible for supporting graduate students on a day-to-day basis—from their application and enrollment process through commencement.He also plans Department events and serves asAssociate Editor of Carnegie Mech.


Hertz joinedMechE after spending five years in Carnegie


Mellon’sAdmissions Department,where he most recently served asAssistant Director.“I was looking for new challenges, as well as the opportunity to work more closely with students,” says Hertz.“My position is extremely gratifying, because it allows me to provide meaningful support to students who are often new to CarnegieMellon and Pittsburgh. I can help them navigate the Department and the University, as well as the larger community.” Hertz is certainly well qualified to serve as a local


ambassador.Born and raised in Pittsburgh,he has lived in such diverse East End neighborhoods as Greenfield,Shadyside, and Regent Square. “The CarnegieMellon campus has always been a part of


my life, and it has meant different things to me at different times,” says Hertz. “It’s the place where I learned to ride a bike, it served as a shortcut to Schenley Park, and it was where I attended many Spring Carnivals.More recently, it’s the place where I met my fiancé—and the place where my career continues to evolve.” A graduate of Central Catholic,Hertz earned a B.A. in


English at the College ofWooster inOhio.He also holds a Masters degree in Publishing Studies from the University of Stirling in Scotland.Hertz and his fiancé Julie Heitzer live in Squirrel Hill.•


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