Learn, Lead, and Serve is the University of Dayton's vision. In addition to the learning that occurs every day in UDRI research labs, UDRI employees live this vision by pursuing advanced degrees, teaching courses, mentoring students, and serving on academic committees. At a more personal level, we also serve our neighborhoods, local government, churches, and charitable organizations. Learn, Lead, and Serve is more than a slogan. It represents who we are.
Each year, UDRI hosts the Montgomery County Science Day.
Students at Work
The Research Institute employs undergraduate and graduate students in various positions, and provides to students opportunities for thesis projects. In most cases, students are treated as apprentices, given real-life assignments to help them grow professionally. By supporting UDRI in this way, students can help solve real problems encountered by our industrial and government customers. In FY2004, about 255 UD students participated in sponsored research programs in UDRI.
For example, engineering student Jon Engelsman found his experience with UDRI pivotal to his development as a researcher, and very quickly was making contributions to solving real-world problems in the area of smart materials.
Beginning in fall 2003, UDRI and the School of Engineering launched a pilot program to provide first-year students with a unique opportunity: to begin getting engineering experience immediately through internships at UDRI. In Laboratory Labor of Love, the seven students involved in the program’s first year describe their experiences.
In the Classroom
The University of Dayton provides traditional and leading-edge educational opportunities. Many UDRI researchers share their professional skills and expertise in the classroom through joint or adjunct appointments in the engineering, science, and business departments.
UDRI researchers have also served as advisors on student projects.
- Don Klosterman, a senior polymer research engineer in UDRI's advanced polymers group, served as faculty advisor to a team of engineering students who built the world’s first carbon nanofiber bridge. The team won two awards at the SAMPE sixth annual super lightweight composite bridge building contest on May 13, 2003, in Long Beach, CA.
- In 2004, again with Don Klosterman as student chapter advisor, two UD students demonstrated the potential of incorporating carbon nanofibers in composites at the annual bridge-building contest. With no other connection but the composite bridge itself, they showed how electricity can be conducted through the bridge to light a bulb. More...
- Jay Johnson, research scientist in UDRI, worked with two graduate engineering students on a project to improve Dayton's water treatment process.
Academic Departments
Serving the Business Community
The University of Dayton, through UDRI and several academic departments, offers a variety of business services in the areas of:
- Research
- Consulting
- Executive and business development
- Specialized education and training