Homecoming 2024

KEYNOTE SPEAKER & ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Jerry Hunter (BS systems engineering, 1988: MS, 1990)
Board Member for high growth startups; former COO Snap Inc.

"The Coming AI Wave: Privacy, power and the physical world needed to support it"

Jerry Hunter recently retired as Chief Operating Officer from Snap, Inc., the company behind the iconic Snapchat app. His three-decade career began at NASA's AMES Research Center and included leadership positions at innovative tech companies including Sun Micro Systems and Amazon. Hunter is also committed to helping students succeed. He helped establish the SnapCats internship program and has generously contributed to the College of Engineering Transfer Student Scholarship fund.

Aeronautical Engineer, Northrop Grumman Space Systems

Aeronautical engineer Sierra Rose works at Northrop Grumman Space Systems as a design, integration, and test engineer for the intercontinental ballistic missile program. She has advised students in the Interdisciplinary Capstone program since beginning at Northrop Grumman¸ the industry sponsor for her own senior capstone project. Throughout the school year, she guides students through the design process and strives to develop their confidence as engineers, preparing them for their introduction to industry. Along with her mentorship, Rose has served as a judge at Craig M. Berge Engineering Design Day for the last three years.

BEAR DOWN AWARD
Nitin Patel (BS mechanical engineering, 2002)
Engineering Manager, Caterpillar Inc.

Nitin Patel joined Caterpillar after earning an MS at the Georgia Institute of Technology and is now an engineering manager. Through his 20-year career, he has contributed significant time and expertise in service to the university, the college and students. Patel has mentored seven capstone design projects and has been Caterpillar’s campus coordinator for 10 years. He recruits Wildcat engineers and works with students through efforts such as Summer TRACK and Summer Engineering Academy. He is also a member of the College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board.

Senior Engineering Manager - Retired

Stan Stachowiak retired from Cirrus Logic following a career that began with six years of service in the United States Air Force before earning his degree and included a 21-year stint with Burr-Brown and a senior manager role for Texas Instruments. For decades, he fundraised for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, raising over $75,000, and volunteered for his church and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Currently, Stachowiak dedicates time to the Boy Scouts of America Catalina Council, coaches students in reading and math, and serves in the Volunteers in Tax Assistance (VITA) program. He and his spouse, Jodi, give to the college and the U of A.

Senior Vice President & Southwest Regional Manager, Sundt Construction

Travis McCarthy is senior vice president and Southwest regional manager for Sundt Construction. He oversees all aspects of Sundt’s transportation and heavy civil operations throughout Arizona, California, New Mexico and west Texas. He joined the company shortly after graduation and has built his career over his 25 years at Sundt. McCarthy serves on the College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board and the Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics Department Alumni Industry Council. He and his family also established an endowed scholarship for students studying construction engineering management. Beyond campus, he chairs a committee for the Arizona Association of General Contractors.