Membership Chair :)

Hi, my name is Colleen Murphy. I have been involved with SWE for about a year, and am currently helping to recruit more women as the Memberhip Chair.

I am a local from the 'Nati (yea Westside :p). I went to school at the Ohio State University in Mechanical Engineering, and graduated in 2005. I still love to go back to football games to cheer on the buckeyes! After graduation, I moved back to Cincinnati for a job at GE. I work in the Control Systems group designing software for Marine and Industrial Engines.

In my spare time I love to ski (both water and snow). Many weekends are spent in Tennessee boating on Lake Norris. I also play a couple of intramural sports, including softball and soccer. At home I like to laze around and watch movies. I enjoy all different kinds, from scary movies, to musicals, and of course chick flicks.

I have definitely made new friends from joining SWE who have helped support me at work as well as personally. SWE is a great way to network, learn, and help the community. You can contact me if you want to get involved and become a member!

Meet the Secretary

You can now put a name and face to the latest South Ohio SWE emails - Megan!

I originally hail from Warren, MI (just north of Detroit). I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame in Mechanical Engineering, class of 2005. While at Notre Dame, I met my best friend, Mike, and we were married in June 2006 at my grade school in Michigan. We were also fortunate enough to do a study abroad while at Notre Dame in London, which deeply embedded a desire to travel more through Europe in us both.

I moved to Cincinnati shortly after graduation, and spent about two years working in controls software for GE - Aviation. (A mechanical engineer in software you say? Yes, it can be done!) Recently, I transitioned from software into GE's Advanced Mechanical Design group, where I work with the Advanced Structures group, doing preliminary design on the major components that hold the engine together - such as frames and ducts.

My interests have always been across the board, but I've been an avid reader all my life (I was literally the kid with the flashlight under the covers, avoiding bedtime.) Some of my favorite series include Harry Potter, Ender's Game, and Anne of Green Gables. I enjoy the arts - from visiting art museums, going to concerts and plays, and (when I get a rare moment) sketching a bit myself. Recently, I got a sewing machine and am trying my hand at some simple quilting. I'm also am a big musical geek - RENT and Wicked are current major players on my iPod.

Other than that, my free time is spent with my husband or hanging out with friends. We're also frequently seen traveling up I75 to visit my parents in Detroit or flying to Portland, OR to visit Mike's family. I'm excited to help spread the word about SWE and the great networking and fellowship opportunities we provide. If you have any input that could help our communications, let me know!

Introducing the South Ohio Officers of FY08

To help you get to know our new officers a bit better, we will each post a short bio.

I was recently elected as the FY08 South Ohio President after being involved with the section for the past 3 years. I am one of the many GE folks in South Ohio SWE. In my current position, I am responsible for cooling design in turbine airfoils on a variety of engines. For more info on what I do check out some of my previous blog postings.

When I'm not doing things for GE or SWE (sometimes that seems like hardly ever) I love to spend time at the barn, riding my horse Mo. I like to cook (but not clean), and one of my favorite recipes to make is Gnocchi. My favorite reads are the New Yorker Magazine, SWE Magazine (of course!) and fiction like "American Gods" and "Harry Potter". Other interests include obscure rock music, movies, running (I've done the Disneyland Half Marathon two years in a row), NPR, mentoring, animals large and small, decorating, traveling... it could go on forever. I'm married and while I do not have kids, I do have lots of animals.

My reasons for staying involved with SWE are to make friends, learn and grow professionally, and help SWE benefit other women in engineering. I'm really excited about all we have planned this year, and I hope to meet lots of new folks in the process!