PORTLAND, May 30, 2008 - United States Navy Commander and Astronaut Sunita Williams and Maseeh College graduate student Diana Laboy-Rush will be inducted into the Denice Dee Denton Women Engineers Hall of Fame at the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University on Friday, June 13, 2008.

The induction ceremony will be held in conjunction with Maseeh College's All College Graduation Reception. Upon accepting their awards, both Williams and Laboy-Rush will briefly address the members of the College's graduating class. "We are tremendously pleased to have inductees of such a high caliber for our inaugural induction," states Robert D. Dryden, dean of the Maseeh College. "Ms. Williams and Ms. Laboy-Rush are very accomplished women and serve as role models for those students, particularly female students, who wish to pursue careers in the fields of engineering and technology."

Sunita Williams holds a bachelor of science in physical science from the United States Naval Academy and a master of science in engineering management from the Florida Institute of Technology. She has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal and twice received the Navy Commendation Medal. She has flown more than 30 different aircraft and accumulated more than 2770 flight hours. After an eleven year career in the United States Navy, Williams was selected by NASA to participate in the Astronaut Candidate Training program.

Williams served as a flight engineer for the Expedition 14 and 15 increments aboard the International Space Station from December 2006-June 2007. At the time of her landing, Williams broke two world records for females in space. Currently, Williams serves as the deputy chief for the Astronaut Office at NASA.

Portions of her time aboard the International Space Station, Williams performed a variety of capillary flow experiments. These experiments were designed by Maseeh College professor Mark Weislogel in conjunction with researchers from Purdue University, NASA's Glenn Research Center and Zin Technologies to help researchers understand how fluid flows in microgravity. Weislogel flew to Cleveland to participate in the first few experiments and was able to watch the others on live video from his office at the Maseeh College. "By conducting experiments on board the International Space Station we have been able to benefit from trial and error," Weislogel said. "The opportunity provided us with much more data than we had anticipated." Weislogel believes the results of the experiments could impact the way engineers design liquid fuel tanks, fuel lines, intravenous drips, cryogen storage tanks, thermal control systems, water purifiers and waste management systems for space applications. The results could also be used to impact the designs of very small fluid systems on Earth.

Diana Laboy-Rush holds a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from California State University at Long Beach, a master of science in engineering and technology management from Portland State University and is currently working on her Ph.D. in engineering and technology management at Portland State University. Laboy-Rush spent 10 years working in the technology industry. She formerly served as president of the Columbia River Section of the Society of Women Engineers and spent one year teaching math at a California high school. Currently, Laboy-Rush is the president of Portland Wiz Kids, a Portland Metro area business that focuses on providing children the opportunity to engage in engineering, inventing and creative problem solving programs.

Portland State University recognizes the contributions of prominent women in technology and engineering by establishing the Denice Dee Denton Women Engineers Hall of Fame. After earning her doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Denice Dee Denton excelled as a faculty member, a dean of engineering, and a chancellor for a major public institution with exceptional skill and wisdom. Her lifetime of accomplishments and accolades serves as an inspiration for fellow women engineers and technologists. The Denice Dee Denton Women Engineers Hall of Fame honors, in perpetuity those who have similarly made significant impact on our lives through their dedication to the engineering profession. The Hall of Fame annually honors one outstanding female engineer and one outstanding Maseeh College female engineering student.

The Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University is located at 1930 SW Fourth Avenue in Portland, Oregon. Media inquiries should be directed to Debbie L. Hutchins, Associate Director of External Relations for Maseeh College, at (503) 725-8135 or debbie@cecs.pdx.edu.