Speakers for 2009 Freshman Convocation
Dr. R. Bowen Loftin, Interim President of Texas A&M University, will welcome freshmen and their families and introduce the Class of 2013 to the Texas A&M University Community of Learners and Scholars.
Keynote Address speaker: Mark Holtzapple, Professor of Chemical Engineering
Dr. Mark Holtzapple has a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. from Cornell University. His research interests focus on sustainable technologies, including bio-based fuels and chemicals, food and feed processing, water desalination, air conditioning, and high-efficiency engines. Many of these technologies are in the process of being commercialized. Terrabon LLC has built a demonstration plant designed to produce 200 gal/day of biogasoline, the City of Laredo has commissioned a 50,000 gal/day desalination plant, and StarRotor Corporation is developing the engine, which is about three times more efficient than conventional internal combustion engines.
Mark is a recipient of many research awards, such as the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award given by the President of the United States, the Walston Chubb Award for Innovation given by the Sigma Xi Research Society, and the Texas A&M Ingenuity Award. He also has received numerous teaching awards, such as the Corps of Cadets Teaching Award and the Tenneco Meritorious Teaching Award. He has held the Halliburton Professorship and Ford Fellowship and has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives.
Mark has a lovely wife Carol and three wonderful boys: John (12), Matthew (9), and Michael (7). Mark met Carol through music — she plays piano and he plays French horn in the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra. They both enjoy raising their family, physical fitness, and gardening.
Because of his passion for teaching, Mark was selected to give the keynote speech at the Freshman Convocation. He is well known for his dedication to students and was asked to share his thoughts to help inspire the incoming class.
Previous Speakers
- 2008 Speaker: Dr. Kimberly N. Brown, Associate Professor of English and Director of Africana Studies - "'False Media, We Don't Need It, Do We?': Embracing Change"
