FAU Honors 2015 Distinguished Alumni

The Florida Atlantic University Alumni Association hosted a reception in April to honor distinguished FAU alumni. More than 200 guests attended the event, which brings together alumni to celebrate the accomplishments of their most outstanding peers. Alumni from eight of FAU’s colleges were honored for their career accomplishments.

The distinguished alum for the FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science for 2015 was Catherine Haas Barre, B.S.M.E. '88. Barre is a mechanical engineer with nearly 30 years of professional experience. She currently serves as president and owner of Parametric Solutions, Inc. in Jupiter, Fla. where she is responsible for program management of a variety of gas turbine engine programs for customers. Previously Barre was a design engineer with GE Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati where she designed patent-pending prototype and production combustors.

"FAU provided me with an excellent mechanical engineering education that has served me well at every stage of my career. I had fabulous teachers, such as my Strength of Materials professor, Dr. Salivar, whose real-world experience made his instruction vibrant and relevant. I received leadership training as the chapter president of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honors society, under the direction of Dr. Abtahi. My internships prepared me for the expectations of large engineering organizations and helped me to advance quickly at work. I established lifelong friendships with talented classmates. I am always appreciative of the advantages that derived from my years at FAU, and I am deeply honored to be recognized with this award."