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UTSI’S Nicholas Lynn Studying at Aachen

Nicholas Lynn, a doctoral candidate and student leader at The University of Tennessee Space Institute, will spend the next six months in intensive study at the Technical University at Aachen Germany.

Named an Aachen Fellow last year, Lynn left for Germany on Aug. 20 as part of a long-standing partnership between the two schools.

Since enrolling at UTSI in the spring of 2002 as a graduate research assistant, Lynn has served one year as president of the Student Government Association. A graduate of the College of Engineering at Michigan State at East Lansing, he is seeking a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with John Steinhoff as his major professor. His parents are Frank and Jennifer Lynn of Grand Rapids.

John E. Caruthers chose Lynn from among candidates to begin study in Aachen last January. However, the schedule was later changed so that he could enter the European institute this fall.

“Nick is an exceptionally able student who not only will represent us well at the Technical University, but I am sure this experience will be an added stimulus to his avid pursuit of academic excellence,” said Caruthers, UT associate vice president and UTSI’s chief operating officer. “His studies in Aachen will certainly complement his pursuit of a doctorate here.”

Lynn said he hopes to get the maximum benefit from what he sees as “a wonderful arrangement to allow students to study at the most prestigious technical university in Europe.”

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to study under world-renowned professors at two great institutions – here at UTSI and at Aachen,” he added. “The arrangement between the two schools is a great asset, and we need to use it to attract the best research students. During my stay, Ihope to encourage students in Aachen to look at UTSI as part of the exchange program and as a place to study for a higher degree. Also, I hope to encourage UTSI students to utilize the exchange program.”

He looked forward to traveling around the continent and to learning more of the language.

Since its founding 40 years ago, the Space Institute has had close ties with the Aachen University. The annual A.W. Quick-B.H. Goethert Lectures have been held since 1974. On October 20, UTSI Professor Gary A. Flandro will deliver the lecture at the Institute and then will take it to Aachen next year.