Chippewa Valley Times

Students in the mechanical engineering program at UW-Stout will soon be hearing the familiar motorsport phrase, "Start your engines!" Two new Indian Motorcycle engines, one air-cooled and one liquid-cooled, have been donated to the program by Polaris. This donation includes a collection of associated components and is part of a project led by Professor Devin Berg. Berg is developing an engine testing system and stand for in-class demonstrations and lab experiments.

"The test stand will allow students and faculty to explore the operating conditions of each type of engine and test different control models," said Berg.

The setup includes a dynamometer to replicate speed and torque, a data system to monitor performance, handlebars for throttle and clutch control, and electronic feedback on various parameters such as oil temperature, pressure, coolant temperature, and intake air temperature.

Berg's work is supported by the John “Jed” Copham Memorial Professorship. Copham was a 1997 industrial technology graduate who owned Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn. The professorship supports projects related to automobiles or motorsports within the engineering and technology department.

Berg received this professorship in 2023 with $11,800 in funding. He has employed two students, Charles Lenk from Amery and Lucas Lirette from North Prairie, to help design the stand.

"This project has already had an impact on the career progression of Charles and Lucas," Berg stated. "As it develops, a much larger number of students will be impacted as well."

Berg is among eight professors awarded professorships or endowed chair awards through the UW-Stout Foundation and Alumni Association. Five other professors have been granted sabbaticals for research during the 2024-25 academic year.

Professorships are prestigious positions awarded based on recommendations by the Named Professorship Committee and approved by Chancellor Katherine Frank. Stipend use must meet state guidelines.

Other recipients include:

- Fulton and Edna Holtby Manufacturing Engineering Chair: Danny Bee ($31,000/year for three years) plans to strengthen industry connections to capstone courses.

- Paul Craig ($31,000/year for three years) aims to integrate robotics into advanced manufacturing.

- Lenore Landry Apparel Design and Development Professorship: Joan Rhee ($6,000/year for three years) supports professional development initiatives.

- Grace Laudon Ostenso Nutrition and Food Science Endowed Chair: Lindsay Heidelberger ($39,700/year for two years) focuses on research related to college student behaviors.

- Q Endowed Chair in Education: Debbie Stanislawski ($62,500/year for two years) explores teacher retention through bootcamps.

- Maybelle Ranney Price Professorship: Julie Bates-Maves ($2,400 for one year) develops training related to traumatic childhood events.

- Andrew G. Schneider Professorship: Kenan Baltaci ($13,400 for one year) integrates AI technologies into curricula.

Research sabbaticals were awarded based on merit:

- Adam Kramschuster (fall)

- Chelsea Lovejoy (fall)

- Charles Lume (fall)

- Julie Peterson (fall)

- Wei Zheng (spring)