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William H. Abbott
BSIE '56
Alumni Achievement Award

Bill Abbott graduated with final honors from Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1956. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Abbott enrolled in Stanford University where he earned a Master of Science.

Following graduation, Abbott joined Hewlett-Packard and progressed through the manufacturing area, where he worked on producing their first computers. He became general manager of the HP Mountain View Division, which had engineering, manufacturing, and marketing responsibilities for magnetic tape and disc-drive products. After 15 years with the company, Abbott left in 1973 to launch the supermarket scanner division and Spectra-Physics, yielding some of the first bar-code scanners used in the United States. He later served as vice president and general manager of the component laser division. In 1981, Abbott joined Acuson, a new diagnostic ultrasound company.

Today, Acuson is a leading supplier of diagnostic ultrasound systems to the hospital cardiology and radiology markets. To date, more than 15,000 Acuson systems have been installed in hospitals and medical centers worldwide. In addition, the company produces the Sequoia C256 echocardiography system and the Sequoia 512 ultrasound system. Located in Mountain View, California, Acuson had sales of more than $437 million in 1997 and employed more than 1,800 people throughout the world. In 1994, Abbott retired from Acuson as senior executive vice president and member of the board of directors.

Abbott has a long and involved history with Washington University and the School of Engineering and Applied Science. His mother, father, and uncle received degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences, the John M. Olin School of Business, and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, respectively. His daughter, Laura, graduated with a master's degree from the School of Architecture. Abbott has served on the Engineering National Council and is a member of the William Greenleaf Eliot Society.

Abbott resides in Palo Alto, California with his wife, Jeanette. In addition to their daughter, Laura, they have two sons, William and Robert.


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Harold Y.H. Law
MSAMCS '73, DScAMCS '75
Alumni Achievement Award

Harold Y.H. Law was born in China and came to the United States in 1956 as a refugee immigrant. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas and an M.S. from the University of Michigan. He was awarded a D.Sc. in Applied Mathematics from Washington University in 1975.

Law began his professional career as a design engineer in the aerospace industry. He later joined the Department of Defense, managing Army aviation research and development programs for 12 years.

In 1986, Law founded Decisions and Advanced Technologies Associates (DATA). The company provides professional consulting services government, industry, and institutional clients in a multitude of fields. It employs 60 people and has gross annual revenues of over $5 million. In 1996 and 1997, DATA was recognized by the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association as one of the "Fast 50" Technology Companies in the St. Louis region and was recognized nationally in 1996 as a National fast 50/500 Technology Company.

Law was a member of the Trade Delegation from St. Louis to Hong Kong and China. In 1995, he was elected as a delegate from Missouri to the White House Conference on Small Business. He was awarded the national Clinton A. West Minority Entrepreneur Award in 1994 and was received by President Clinton. In addition, Law was named the 1994 Minority Small Business Person of the Year in St. Louis.

Law and his wife, Helena, actively participate in the community providing support services to more than 70 Indo-Chinese refugees and senior citizens. They are members of the St. Louis Chinese Gospel Church and the St. Louis Chapter, Organization of Chinese Americans.

Law serves on the National Council for the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The Laws sponsor an annual scholarship in the School. They have two sons and two daughters.


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Sanford A. Silverstein
BSME'43
Alumni Achievement Award

Sanford A. "Sandy" Silverstein received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in 1943. After graduating, Silverstein served with the U.S. Army Combat Engineers until the end of World War II.

In 1946, Silverstein went to work for Lewin Mathes Company, which later merged with Cerro Corporation, located in Sauget, Illinois. During his 25 years with the company, he oversaw a number of modernization and expansion projects. He was well respected for his contributions in original and innovative technology. As works manager, he brought about the final phase of Cerro's transition from a small, obscure scrap recycler to the world's largest, most modern copper tube mill.

Silverstein assumed the position of vice president of Chemetco Company in 1972. His experience in the recycling of copper led Chemetco to become a broad-based processor of copper bearing scrap. He later accepted the position of corporate manager of engineering with Consolidated Aluminum Company. In 1981, Silverstein returned to Cerro Corporation, where he guided the company through new challenges in technology, cost reduction, and environmental compliance until his retirement in 1989. Throughout his career, Silverstein has been recognized for his work in the refining and extruding of copper.

In addition to obtaining the highest engineering positions in three different companies, Silverstein's lasting legacy will be his commitment to the St. Louis community, most particularly its youth. Serving as a scoutmaster for over 50 years in the Boy Scouts of America, he was recognized in 1995 for his years of service and dedication. He is also active in the Shriner's Hospital, is a board member of Temple Israel, and serves on the executive board of Okaw Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Silverstein has been a tireless worker on behalf of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. He actively participates in phonathons and has served as chair of this committee. Silverstein participates in the Project ASK program and is a current member of the Alumni Advisory Council Executive Committee. In 1995, he received the School of Engineering "Volunteer of the Year" Award.

His wife, Hazel, recently retired from teaching in the Ladue School District. They have two sons.


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Otis J. Sproul
DScSanE'61
Alumni Achievement Award

Otis Sproul has spent his professional life in teaching and research. He began his career by earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maine at Orono. Upon completion of his military obligation, he returned to the university to complete an M.S. in Sanitary Engineering. In 1959, Sproul came to Washington University to begin his doctoral work and was awarded a Doctor of Science in Sanitary Engineering in 1961.

Recognized as a n environmental educator, researcher, consultant, and university administrator, Sproul began his teaching career at the University of Maine where he served as the director of the Environmental Engineering Program. In 1977, Sproul accepted a position at Ohio State University as professor and chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering. From 1982-95, he served as dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire and was awarded the title of dean and professor emeritus in 1995.

Throughout his teaching career, Sproul has remained an active researcher in the environmental engineering field focusing on water and wastewater. He has extensive experience in the design and operation of industrial and domestic wastewater treatment systems, including facilities for the treatment of biosolids and disposal on the land.

Sproul has worked in the underdeveloped countries planning and developing education facilities, appropriate water supply, and sanitation technology for rural villages. Among his education-related activities have been the establishment of wastewater treatment plant operator courses as well as a statewide association for plant operators.

Sproul is regarded as an authority on the inactivation and removal of parasites, viruses, and bacteria by treatment processes and for their survival in the natural environment. His work, presenting solutions to the environmental contamination problems, education, and public policy matters, is published in over 100 papers, books, and chapters.

Among other activities, Sproul serves as chair of the governing board for the New Hampshire Mathematics, Science, and Technology Coalition, which is dedicated to better learning and teaching in grades K-12. He was awarded the Rudolph Herring Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers and is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Engineering, and Who's Who in Technology.

Sproul and his wife, Dorothy, reside in Durham, New Hampshire. They have one son.


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Annette N. Sutera
BSME'84
Young Alumni Award

Annette Sutera currently serves as the first assistant director of the widely acclaimed CBS television series Chicago Hope. A graduate of Clayton High School, Sutera received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in 1984. As a student, she was named the "Outstanding Senior in Mechanical Engineering," awarded the Antoinette Francis Dames Award, and was a member of Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma.

Following graduation, Sutera went to work in Boulder, Colorado, for IBM in product development and worked on reducing the vibration problems in the 3 1/2" diskette drives. She was later transferred to Chicago, where she worked as a systems engineer. While in Chicago, she became interested in film and made the decision to pursue a career in this area.

Sutera moved to Los Angeles and entered the Directors Guild Training Program. In 1989, she became a full member of the Guild as a second assistant director. Her directorial skills can be seen in movies such as Ghostbusters 2, The Ryan White Story, Toys, Defending Your Life, The War, and Steven Spielberg's Always. She worked on the PBS Series Young Riders for several seasons. Other television credits include Cagney & Lacey, Civil Wars, and several movies of the week. In 1994 she received the Directors Guild Award for directorial achievement on the pilot episode of Steven Bochco's NYPD Blue. As a result of this award, Sutera was invited to join the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Sutera has worked with St. Louisans John Goodman and Kevin Kline, as well as fellow Washington University alumnus Harold Ramis. She is currently in her fourth season with Chicago Hope and resides in Studio City, California.


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Stephen F. Brauer
Dean's Award

Washington University and the School of Engineering and Applied Science are very fortunate to be recipients of Stephen F. Brauer's wisdom, dedication, and generosity. Brauer has given unselfishly of his time, expertise, and financial support to ensure the prominence of both the University and its School of Engineering into the 21st century. Brauer is a native of St. Louis and a graduate of St. Louis Country Day School and Westminster College where he earned a B.A. in Economics. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1968-1970. He joined Hunter Engineering in 1971 and was named president in 1980. Hunter Engineering employs 1,200 people and designs, manufactures, and sells computer-based automotive service equipment worldwide.

Brauer is a director or trustee of four major St. Louis institutions: Washington University, The Municipal Theatre Association, Missouri Botanical Garden, and the St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts. He is a partner with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization, serves on the national board of the Smithsonian Institution, and is the honorary consul, Government of Belgium. Among Brauer's numerous awards are the St. Louis RCGA Science & Technology Award, the Westminster College Alumni Achievement Award, and the St. Louis Country Day School Distinguished Alumnus Award.

A member and immediate past chair of the School of Engineering National Council, Brauer is a key advisor to Dean Christopher Byrnes and played an influential role in crafting the School's strategic plan. As a member of the Executive Committee and chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Trustees, he has helped to chart the course that is accelerating Washington University's ascent among the world's premier universities.

Brauer and his wife are sustaining charter members of the Danforth Circle of the William Greenleaf Eliot Society. They have recently established the Stephen F. and Camilla T. Brauer Professorship in Biomedical Engineering and have endowed a scholarship in the School of Engineering. In addition they have provided funds for a state-of-the-art measurements/vibrations laboratory in Harold D. Jolley Hall. The Brauers have supported the Virgil Scholarships in the John M. Olin School of Business and the James M. McKelvey Engineering Endowment. They frequently sponsor student projects in the Society of Automotive Engineers national competition.

The Brauers reside in Ladue, Missouri. They have one daughter and two sons.