I.E. Alumna Willcoxon to Speak April 7th

Rita WillcoxonThe American Society of Mechanical Engineers hosts University of Arkansas alumna Rita G. Willcoxon at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, in Bell Engineering Center, Room 2282.

Willcoxon was the director of shuttle processing at NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida. She will discuss her experiences throughout her career at NASA as well as the educational path that brought her success in her profession. Willcoxon has earned the Silver Snoopy award, two Exceptional Achievement medals, the Outstanding Leadership Medal and an Exceptional Service Medal.

Willcoxon has managed 5,400 employees in order to provide NASA with successful launches since she started her role as director in 2006. Her sharing of leadership experience is an invaluable asset from which students from all disciplines may benefit. Her numerous projects have stimulated a demand for research in multiple technology fields as well as a demand for well-educated project employees.

Ms. Willcoxon received her BSIE in 1982 from the University of Arkansas and her MSIE from the University of Oklahoma.

This event is free to current University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, students as supported by the Associated Student Government through the Office of Student Activities and funded by the Student Activities Fee. For questions, please contact the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Russell Locetta, president, rwlocett@email.uark.edu or 281-513-2713.