Capstone 2007 was a Resounding Success
Click here for the (current) Capstone 2008 webpage.
Click here for a list of winners and to access the papers.
Click here to download the 2007 Capstone Conference Recap
Capstone 2007 Recap
The Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) hosted the first and only Modeling, Simulation & Gaming Student Capstone Conference on Thursday, April 19, 2007.
The conference featured students from universities and schools across the country to include The College of William and Mary, University of Virginia, Auburn University, and West Point Military Academy as well as students representing three of ODU's colleges: Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, College of Sciences, and College of Health Sciences. The conference gave students an opportunity to present their findings to members of the modeling, simulation and gaming community in academe, industry, and government.
There were five tracks and each track was assigned judges who selected the top three presentations. The judges came from Devry University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, University of Ottawa, the Virginia Transportation Research Council (VDOT), the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, NASA, and the U.S. Joint Forces Command. The students with outstanding presentations were recognized at the evening banquet and capstone awards.
Students receiving the first place award were given the Gene Newman Award for Excellence in M&S Research. This award was established in recognition of Mr. Eugene G. Newman for his tireless effort in advancing modeling and simulation education, research, and development.
Mr. Newman played a significant role in the creation of VMASC (in 1997) by realizing the need for credentialed experts in the M&S workforce in the military and in industry. His foresight has affected both the economic development and the high level of expertise in the M&S community of Hampton Roads.
Students receiving this award have proven themselves to be outstanding researchers and practitioners of modeling and simulation.
Mr. and Mrs. Newman were present at the banquet. Mr. Newman is currently serving in an advisory role to the JTASC/JWFC. He had served as Technical Director of the JTASC/JWFC from July 1997 through January 2002.
Also in attendance were a number of visiting faculty from colleges and universities across the country:
- USMA (LTC Robert Kewley and Professor Patrick Driscoll)
- University of Virginia, Dr. Paul Reynolds
- College of William and Mary, Dr. Larry Leemis
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Dr. Thomas Meyers
- Auburn University, Volkan Ustun, Ph.D. Candidate
ODU faculty present:
- Office of Graduate Studies and Research, Vice Provost Phil Langlais
- CFrank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, Drs. Osman Akan, Roland Mielke, Yuzhong Shen, and Jiang Li
- College of Health Sciences, Dean Andrew Balas and Dr. Gianluca DeLeo
The VMASC Board of Advisors in attendance:
- Jack McGinn, Alion Science & Technology
- John Dannon, Lockheed Martin
- Craig Langman, General Dynamics IT
The 2007 MS&G Student Capstone Conference was sponsored by VMASC industry partners. Track sponsorship provided for the certificates, awards, and monetary gifts ($100, $50, $25) presented to the students.
- Education Gaming: SAIC — Charlie Venable
- HMS/Mil M&S: Lockheed Martin — John Dannon
- Medical M&D: Northrop Grumman — Bob Harper
- Body of Knowledge and Application: DDL Omni — Tom Cole
- Transportation: GD/IT — Craig Langman
- The Evening Reception: Maersk Line Limited — Steve Carmel
- The Awards Banquet: Alion Science and Technology — Jack McGinn
