CU Engineering Fellows Founding Member Receives Active Learning Award at Graduation

Electrical and computer engineering major John O’Brien received the Active Learning Award at the May 2006 graduation for completing the discovery, service, and professional learning areas of the Active Learning Program. The award recognized his work as co-founder of the Engineering Fellows organization in 2004 along with his research in electromagnetics and work as a computer consultant.

“Life is about bringing together these different opportunities and wide ranges of experiences while in school,” says John. One of these experiences, starting the CU Engineering Fellows honorary service organization, fulfilled the service learning component of the award. In this organization exceptional undergraduate students promote academic excellence through a college network of support. John was closely involved in planning and launching the "Fellows," which is one of the college’s highest regarded programs, and helping develop its website from the grassroots level. He says, “It’s been an important aspect for me at CU to help get it off the ground.” He also participated in an independent study course with Dr. Zoya Popovic and another student, as a way to explore electromagnetics at a level beyond what was offered for an undergraduate student. This research satisfied the discovery learning component of the award.

John owns his own web design and computer consultant business, Saltant Solutions, founded in 1997. His company provides clients with web development, programming services and it also provides pro-bono work for senior citizens and students. He has retained his clients for more than five years since moving from Philadelphia to attend CU-Boulder. His work background fulfilled the professional learning experience.

Named the college's Outstanding Graduate for May 2006, John published his paper “Laser Cooling and Launching Performance in a (1,1,1)-Geometry Atomic Fountain,” written for the IEEE Frequency Control Symposium and Exposition in August 2005. During the summer of 2006, John worked in an internship with Qualcomm in Boulder. He says, “Having received the Active Learning Award made me a stronger candidate for the position. It has helped me bring together the big picture, to clearly see how the different elements fit together into one educational experience.” The Active Learning Award also will be important for his career because it demonstrates well-roundedness. “Future graduate schools, employers, and professional organizations will see clear evidence that I am motivated to go beyond everyday boundaries in order to better myself and better the world around me,” he says.

His future aspirations entail working in research and development in a commercial setting while pursuing a Ph.D. in electrical engineering beginning in the fall of 2006. He says, “There is enjoyment in teaching at whatever capacity whether it is industry peers or in academia. Helping students is self-fulfilling.”