Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Kay Lucas

On game days at Tiger Stadium in Livingston, Alabama, the inside of the 宅男福利社鈥檚 mascot, LUie the Tiger, gets hot. Thanks to three 宅男福利社engineering technology graduates, however, a cool solution is now within reach.

Last spring, then-seniors Matthew Mosley, Tyler Lovering, and Ishmael Naylor designed a high-tech prototype mascot head for their senior capstone project. Their innovative design featured an integrated cooling system, improved ventilation, and a lightweight structure, all aimed at making mascot duty more comfortable in the Alabama heat.

Dr. Narendra Datta, chair of the Division of Engineering Technology, explains that the annual capstone project challenges seniors to develop real-world, hands-on projects integrating everything they鈥檝e learned throughout their degree program. Guided by Dr. Datta, Mosley, Lovering, and Naylor selected this unique project topic.

Assistant professor Robert Miller provided valuable support to the team and Naylor, who led the initial phase of scanning LUie鈥檚 existing mascot head and importing the model into Fusion 360, the AutoCAD software used in their coursework. The team then integrated a compact water-to-water cooling system using a hydration vest, tubing, and a mini water pump, applying principles of fluid power, heat transfer, and motor controls.

Lovering focused on heat transfer calculations and conducted temperature reduction tests to validate the prototype鈥檚 effectiveness.  The team also replaced the internal helmet with an adjustable hard hat for better fit and enhanced ventilation, while enlarging the eye openings for improved visibility. Tests showed the prototype lowered internal temperatures by 5鈥�7掳F.

Mosley managed the project timeline, ensuring tasks were completed on time and parts were ordered on schedule.

鈥淭his project used many skills I developed over my four years at UWA,鈥� Mosley says. 鈥淧roject management provided a blueprint that helped me plan, prepare and organize our project, while computer applications like Excel kept our materials and progress in order. Our engineering courses supported the design and mathematical aspects of the project.鈥� 

Since graduating in May, Naylor has worked for Steel Dynamics鈥� Columbus Division in Mississippi, starting as an electrical engineering intern and moving to a full-time position as a millwright technician by August. He credits UWA鈥檚 engineering technology program for thoroughly preparing him for his career.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 say enough about the excellent instruction from Datta and our professors and instructors,鈥� Naylor shares. 鈥淭hey genuinely care about our success, combining classroom learning with hands-on labs that give us the practical experience we need on the job. Our senior project proved we have what it takes to succeed in any challenge.鈥�

Mosley, now a mechanical engineer at Phifer, Inc. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, echoes this sentiment. 鈥淎t Phifer I handle projects from design to repair, creating drawings and ordering parts, then leading maintenance crews during installation.  My drafting and mechanical motor classes have been invaluable in these tasks.

Although the prototype isn鈥檛 ready for permanent use, Datta believes their work showcases the students鈥� creativity and ability to apply engineering principles to practical challenges at the University. Building on their success, a new senior team, guided by Datta, Miller and assistant professor Dr. Ikechi Ukaegbu, will explore new materials to enhance durability without sacrificing cooling efficiency.

鈥淲e intend to continue this project with future senior teams, allowing each group to build on the work of the last,鈥� Datta says. 鈥淭his ongoing effort will drive the development of a more comfortable mascot head for LUie, creating a lasting legacy of innovation and student achievement.鈥�

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Betsy Compton

Dr. Narendra Datta has been named chair of the Division of Engineering Technology at the 宅男福利社.

Datta has served as interim chair since June 2024, leading the Division through a successful ABET re-accreditation process, submitting materials for both the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology and the Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Maintenance programs, according to the announcement from 宅男福利社Provost Dr. Tina Jones.

鈥淚鈥檓 honored to step into his new role,鈥� says Datta, 鈥渁nd excited to continue working alongside such dedicated faculty, staff, and students.鈥�

Under his leadership, the Division has acquired new instructional equipment and expanded both industry and academic partnerships. Collaborations now include companies such as Phifer Inc., Georgia-Pacific, AM/NS Calvert, Continental Aerospace, and the Engineer Research and Development Center. Academic partnerships with institutions including the University of Alabama, UAB, and UAH continue to be strengthened.

Datta has launched several key initiatives including a guest lecture series, enhanced capstone projects, and new co-op opportunities with industry leaders like Mercedes-Benz and Lavender Inc. He has also been active in recruitment efforts, coordinating campus visits with area high school groups.

Under Datta鈥檚 guidance, the Division recently established the Epsilon Beta chapter of the Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society, while also expanding fundraising and international study opportunities.

Looking ahead, Datta says his focus will remain on strengthening industry partnerships, expanding applied learning opportunities, and aligning engineering technology programs with workforce needs.

鈥淲e鈥檙e working on several initiatives to give our students greater access to real-world projects, modern equipment, scholarships, and career pathways in high-demand technical fields,鈥� notes Datta. 鈥淲e鈥檙e also engaging our alumni network. I鈥檓 excited to continue the momentum we鈥檝e built and lead the Division forward.鈥�

Dr. Datta earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in India, and both a master鈥檚 and doctorate in aerospace engineering and mechanics from the University of Alabama.

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

Engineering Technology student makes her mark in non-traditional degree program at UWA

Kayla Holley doesn鈥檛 fit the typical mold most would assume for an engineering technology student.  A self-proclaimed 鈥済irly girl,鈥� Holley attended a performing arts high school where she studied dance before carving out her path at the 宅男福利社 (UWA). Now, she鈥檚 proving that traditional gender roles in male-dominated fields can be defied with determination and skill.  

Initially, Holley set her sights on computer engineering technology, a field often considered a more 鈥渢raditional鈥� choice for women. However, it didn鈥檛 take long for her to realize it wasn鈥檛 the right fit. Drawn to hands-on work, she switched to engineering technology after her first semester at UWA.

Growing up in Montgomery, Alabama, Holley was inspired by her father, a city mechanical inspector, who introduced her to construction and engineering. 鈥淚 was always fascinated seeing how things work,鈥� she says. That spark of interest only grew during her time at UWA.

Though the engineering technology degree covers a wide range of topics 鈥� everything from electrical and mechanical systems to technology鈥擧olley鈥檚 true passion lies in construction and design. Courses like fundamental production planning, print reading, and applied strength of materials gave her a solid foundation and deeper understanding of the building process than she might have received in a traditional construction trades program at other universities, she notes. 

Her passion became even more apparent after a summer internship during her sophomore year. Thanks to Dr. Narendra Datta, assistant professor and interim chair of the Engineering Technology Division, Holley landed an internship with Rick Taylor, a project manager overseeing the construction of the University Charter School鈥檚 new facility.  鈥淚 was the 鈥榩unch list girl,鈥� she recalls with a smile. 鈥淢y job was to double-check that the construction company was executing everything the client (UCS) wanted, according to their specifications.鈥� Through that internship, Holley discovered her eye for detail and design and gained hands-on experience in understanding the complexities of the building process.

With her newfound passion for construction, Holley sought out another internship that could open doors to her future career. She found one at Hensel Phelps, a global construction company headquartered in Colorado. The internship didn鈥檛 just provide invaluable industry experience, it also paved the way for her next career step. 鈥淚 wanted an internship that would hopefully lead to a job after graduation, and it did,鈥� she says. In January 2025, Holley will begin her new role as a field engineer with Hensel Phelps on an $8 billion project in her hometown of Montgomery.

Starting out, Holley admits that being the only woman in the program was challenging, especially at first. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have the background some of my peers did when entering the field,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut through my personal growth as a woman and the knowledge I鈥檝e gained, I鈥檓 much more confident in who I am.鈥� While she may have raised a few eyebrows among her classmates and on the job site, she adds, 鈥淚 have the same knowledge as men do. I鈥檓 just packaged a little differently.鈥�

Being in a traditionally male-dominated industry isn鈥檛 easy, but Holley values her experience at Hensel Phelps for its openness and respect. 鈥淭hey were very accepting. I felt respected, and my voice was heard.鈥� She advises young women entering similar fields to 鈥渟tay true to your personality and who you are. I like wearing pink鈥攍ots of it,鈥� she laughs. 鈥淎nd I wear makeup. I didn鈥檛 stop doing that during class or internships, and I certainly didn鈥檛 try to be 鈥榦ne of the guys.鈥欌��

Though she doesn鈥檛 consider herself a trailblazer, Holley feels pressure to succeed, knowing that her actions can impact women entering the field in the future. 鈥淚 understand that being one of the first means the situation is bigger than just me, and everything I do is scrutinized,鈥� she says. Whether in school or on the job site, she advises women to be mindful of how they carry themselves and 鈥渂e professional in everything you do.鈥�

As Holley prepares to graduate from 宅男福利社in December, she鈥檚 a shining example of someone who found her calling by embracing her unique interests and challenging societal expectations. From the classroom to the construction site, she鈥檚 proven that breaking barriers in male-dominated fields doesn鈥檛 mean sacrificing passion or femininity.

Choosing a non-traditional field, like construction for Holley or nursing for her brother, speaks volumes about the support system the siblings have at home. 鈥淲e are blessed to have parents who motivate and support us to pursue our interests,鈥� Holley says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about fitting into a mold. It鈥檚 about doing what you love, even if it doesn鈥檛 look like what people expect.鈥�

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