Alumni

Alumni Sketch: Mikko Lipasti ’91 ECE and Scott Sanders ’97 ME

Mikko Lipasti ’91 ECE and Scott Sanders ’97 ME, both associate professors at the University of Wisconsin, each received the 2007 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from the Valparaiso University Alumni Association.

Mikko Lipasti ’91 ECE and Scott Sanders ’97 ME

The award honors alumni under the age of 40 who have enhanced the prestige of the university by virtue of their character, integrity and personal accomplishments.

Lipasti is an associate professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering at Wisconsin. In 2002, he was selected as the Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Young Electrical Engineer. He has supervised five Ph.D. candidates to completion, published
more than 50 conference and journal papers in his research area and co-written a popular textbook in modern processor design.

Sanders is an associate professor in the department of mechanical engineering. His work has earned four patents, with five more pending. In 2002, he received the Silver Combustion Medal at the 29th International Symposium on Combustion. He also is the recipient of the National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his work with laser sensors.

Lipasti’s residence: Middleton, Wis.

Lipasti’s education: Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering from Valparaiso University, 1991; master of science degree, 1992, and Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering, 1997, both from Carnegie Mellon University.

Lipasti’s family: Married to Erica (Langenegger ’91) Lipasti; children: Emma, 13, and Elias, 10.

Lipasti on his Valpo education/experience: “Some of the key attributes of my time at Valpo that have been vitally important in my career include the individual attention and close relationships with professors that are enabled by small class sizes; the strong focus on oral and written communication skills and critical thinking; and the integration of a classical liberal education into a rigorous technical engineering program without compromising the critically important spiritual and ethical foundations that stem from Valpo’s Lutheran heritage.”

Sanders’ residence: Madison, Wis.

Sanders’ education: Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Valparaiso University, 1997; master of science degree, 1998, and Ph.D., 2002, both from Stanford University.

Sanders on his Valpo education/experience: “I have only fond memories of Valpo. I met my wife, Beth, there the day I arrived on campus as a freshman. Many other lasting friendships were formed during my stay. I have experienced no other place where spiritual and academic studies were so intermingled.”