الوصف: |
This dissertation is dedicated to my mother, Sheri Chancey, who always told me “You can do whatever you want to do, as long as you put your mind to it. ” Acknowledgements My parents, Tom and Sheri Chancey, deserve my unconditional gratitude for their love and constant encouragement. Their support has facilitated my completion of now three academic degrees; but most importantly, they have taught me to expect only the best from myself. I am exceedingly fortunate for such wonderful friends and role models. Thank you, Mom and Dad. I am forever grateful to my advisors, Dr. David Fowler and Dr. Maria Juenger. I am inspired by Dr. Fowler’s breadth of knowledge and his dedication to students, to his university, and to the field of engineering. His academic, professional, and personal mentorship have profoundly influenced me, and the experience I gained assisting Dr. Fowler in his consulting practice proved invaluable as I evaluated and pursued a career path. I also appreciate Dr. Fowler’s generosity with his extra athletic tickets. I will always first be a Gator, but he has made a true Longhorn of me. Dr. Fowler is a fantastic supervisor and has become a wonderful friend. |