OSU hosts 2024 ConocoPhillips Lectureship Series with Dr. Matthew Liberatore
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Media Contact: Tanner Holubar | Communications Specialist | 405-744-2065 | tanner.holubar@okstate.edu
The School of Chemical Engineering at Oklahoma State University recently hosted the 2024 ConocoPhillips Lectureship Series in Chemical Engineering Education, featuring guest speaker Dr. Matthew Liberatore from Trine University. The two-day event was full of insightful lectures and engaging discussions with faculty and students.
The ConocoPhillips Lecture Series began in 1967 and has featured guest lecturers from across the nation, who have distinguished themselves in chemical engineering education. Liberatore, a chemical engineering professor and department head, visited Stillwater on Nov. 14-15 and provided a unique opportunity for the academic community to gain valuable insights from his extensive experience in chemical engineering education and research.
Dr. Josh Ramsey, an OSU professor and this year's ConocoPhillips Faculty Fellow in Chemical Engineering Education, introduced and welcomed Liberatore to OSU. In addition to accepting the nomination to join the lectureship series, Liberatore will also soon be collaborating with Ramsey to integrate some of his educational activities into Ramsey’s senior design course and the Introduction to Chemical Process Engineering course. Some examples include using lessons from Liberatore’s zyBook on material and energy balances and utilizing hands-on equipment to demonstrate heat transfer and fluid mechanics concepts.
At this year’s lectureship series, which included two captivating lectures by Liberatore, students and faculty were able to get a glimpse of some of his experience in engineering education. The first lecture focused on the correlation between students’ education and learning from textbooks. After authoring several books, including “Material and Energy Balances zyBook,” Liberatore has found that implementing the use of interactive textbooks and formative exercises helps with overall student success and practical experiences. The second lecture covered his latest research on rheology and its applications in various industries, sparking lively discussions and inspiring new ideas.
In addition to the lectures, Liberatore participated in a series of meetings with OSU faculty members, fostering collaborative discussions on potential research and academic initiatives. He also took the time to interact with students, offering guidance and sharing insight on his professional journey.
To express the School of Chemical Engineering's gratitude for his visit and contributions to the lectureship series, a banquet was held in his honor, attended by faculty, including emeriti, staff, and Mr. David Eyster with ConocoPhillips. It was a memorable evening filled with speeches, networking opportunities, and a celebration of academic excellence.
The School of Chemical Engineering extends its sincere thanks to Liberatore for his invaluable participation in the 2024 ConocoPhillips Lectureship Series, as well as to the ConocoPhillips representatives, donors, and alumni who continue to make the lectureship series possible.
Liberatore’s visit has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the students and department, inspiring future collaborations and advancements in the field of chemical engineering.
For more information about Liberatore and his work, visit Trine University's faculty page. For a complete list of previous speakers and more information about the ConocoPhillips Lectureship in Chemical Engineering Education, visit the OSU Chemical Engineering website.
Story By: Natalie Henderson | natalie.henderson@okstate.edu