Milne Alumni June Newsletter
June 15, 2010

by Judy Koblintz Madnick, '61

Dear Milne Alumni and Supporters,

In this issue:

* New Hall of Fame Member: John Fulenwider, '46
* Photos, Class of '58
* Sad News

NEW HALL OF FAME MEMBER: JOHN FULENWIDER, '46

Our newest Hall of Fame member is John Fulenwider, Milne Class of 1946. The following is just a summary of John's many accomplishments.

John Fulenwider was a pioneer in the development and application of fiber optics to CATV, telephones, FM, and data communications. His original ground-breaking paper presented in 1972 gave directions for the growth of fiber-optic technology from its infancy in that era. His publications combined the large system applications of CATV, telephony, and data with foresight as to how fiber optics, then in the laboratory, could be applied to these beneficial uses. Later publications pointed the way, from a techno-economic point of view, for applying optic fibers in interoffice telephone trunks. He wrote on using optic fiber for linking CATV, FM, telephone, and data service from the serving center to the home.

John invented a hand-held tool for use by installers for making fiber-optics cable splices. Tools of this design were used in GTE's pioneering interoffice optic-fiber installation in Long Beach, CA, in 1976.

He has patented inventions in the areas of optical transducers, acoustic transducers, and optical switching, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

John worked for the firm of Arthur D. Little, Inc., as Senior Consultant from 1978 until he retired in 1990. He was the primary investigator in a series of client cases spanning the gamut from large systems design to component manufacturing. U.S. domestic clients needed answers to "How do these various new technologies impact my business, and how can we get into them?" Client locations were in the USA, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Hong Kong, Venezuela, Colombia, Uruguay, Italy, and Germany. John stated that he found that his most memorable work was performed in Egypt.

As Adjunct Professor of Electrical Engineering at Northeastern University, Dedham, MA, for several years, John taught the course Fiber Optics Communications Systems. In addition, he taught Fiber Optics Communications Systems Design at University of Boulder, CO, in the 1975 and 1976 Optical Communications Seminars

John received Laser Focus World's "Commendation For Excellence in Technical Communications" in December 1990. He was cited in the book City of Light, The Story of Fiber Optics, by Jeff Hecht, Oxford University Press 1999, pages 181, 218-219, and 229. And he was elected to Eta Kappa Nu, Electrical Engineering Honor Society, in 1960, and to Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Society, in 1960.

As you can see, John's contributions have aimed at filling a need where fiber-optic technology could be used.

John's current interests are in promoting the use of renewable energy technologies, such as wind turbines and solar arrays. As a consultant to the firm of DanWin Associates of Big Rapids, MI, he developed the plan design for the 30-wind turbine farm near Elkton, MI, which was completed in the fall of 2007 and went on-line in January 2008, delivering up to 60 megawatts of peak wind power. For about one year, until the economy forced a cutback, he worked part-time as an engineering consultant at a startup that aids clients in obtaining Federal Grants in the greenhouse gas emission-reduction arena.

For three years ending last fall (2009), John volunteered at the Holland Boys and Girls Club, tutoring students in math and science. John is now consulting pro bono with a company that is attempting to remediate PCB contaminated soils using various naturally occurring microbes and fungi.

We Milne alumni are certainly proud of John's accomplishments.

PHOTOS, CLASS OF '58

From John Garman, Class of 1958: "Thought you might like to enjoy memories from two years ago. Just click on the link below and then find the tab for slide show on the upper right of your screen....click on it....click on 'Options' to make your choices....and enjoy!" http://www.flickr.com/photos/garman/

SAD NEWS