2006

Andrew Bursky
BSChE '78, MSChE '78
Alumni Achievement Award

Andrew M. Bursky began his business career as chairman and chief executive officer of Ventures Management Company. Andrew entered Washington University as a Langsdorf fellow in 1974 and graduated in 1978 with three degrees—a Bachelor of Science degree, Master of Science degree in chemical engineering, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.

In 1980, Andrew earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University. In 1981, he and a partner formed Interlaken Capital Inc., a diversified holding company focusing on the chemical, industrial distribution, food processing, and financial services sectors. By 1990, Forbes magazine recognized Interlaken as one of the country's largest privately owned businesses.

Andrew brought this same business-building acumen to Atlas Holdings LLC, which he formed in 2002. Atlas has established industrial platforms in four sectors: paper and packaging; engineered wood products; specialty steel manufacturing; and industrial services. The Atlas companies generate revenue in excess of $500 million and employ approximately 2,000.

Andrew received the School of Engineering's Young Alumni Award in 1993. He is a member of the board of trustees of Washington University and its New York regional cabinet.

Arnold Donald
BSME '77
Alumni Achievement Award

New Orleans native Arnold W. Donald received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Washington University in 1977. He also received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton College in 1976 and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago in 1980.

Arnold joined the Monsanto Company in industrial chemical sales in 1977. In 1998, he was appointed senior vice-president of the corporation, with worldwide responsibility in areas that included the company's growth, globalization, and technology initiatives. Arnold was also president of Monsanto's $4 billion-plus agricultural sector.

In 2000, Arnold founded Merisant Company, whose products include the sweetener Equal, as an enterprise committed to the growing need for health, nutritional, and lifestyle products based on science and technology. He held the position of chairman and CEO since Merisant's founding until 2003 and then served as chairman of the board.

In December 2005, Donald became president and CEO of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the largest charitable funder of diabetes research in the world.

In 1998, Arnold received the Washington University Distinguished Alumni Award and in 2000, he received the Black Engineers President's Award. Also, Fortune magazine placed Arnold #17 on their list of "The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in America."

Harold H. (Hank) Schreimann
BSIE '49
Alumni Achievement Award

Harold H. (Hank) Schreimann graduated from high school at age 16 and was one of three young men from a multi-state area selected by AT&T to be transmission engineering trainees. After specialized training, Hank entered Washington University as a full-time engineering student while working full time at AT&T. During World War II, he attended advanced signal corps schools, culminating in his graduation from Officer Candidate School. Hank served as a theatre wire officer at Allied headquarters in Italy. In 1946, he returned to the United States where he resumed his engineering education at Washington University.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering in 1949, Hank became chief industrial engineer and then production manager for a diversified paper converting operation. In 1960, he joined Container Corporation of America as division engineer, locating, planning, building, and equipping composite can plants throughout the United States.

After his retirement, Hank formed MSI Ltd. and continues as its president. He was an adjunct faculty member at Washington University for more than 35 years. Hank's devotion to Washington University continues. He is a member of the Alumni Advisory Council and chair of the Eliot Society for Engineering. Hank is also a registered Professional Engineer and past president of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers.

Gary Wendlandt
BSAMCS '72
Alumni Achievement Award

A native of Milwaukee, Gary E. Wendlandt graduated from Washington University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in applied mathematics and computer science. Gary served as executive vice president and chief investment officer of MassMutual, which he joined as an actuarial student in 1972. After various positions of increasing responsibility in investment management and financial operations, he was elected an executive vice president in June 1992. A year later, he was named chief investment officer, which included responsibility for all of MassMutual's asset management operations.

Gary joined New York Life Insurance Company in April 1999. Currently, he is chairman and chief executive officer of New York Life Investment Management LLC, a subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company with $200 billion of assets under management.

Gary is an Eagle Scout, serves on the National Executive Board Boy Scouts of America, and is chairman of the Pension Investment Committee. He is also president of the Manhattan council of the Boy Scouts. Gary and his wife, Peg, live in Manhattan. They have three children and five grandchildren.

Preston M. and Nancy Green
BSEE '36
Dean's Award

Preston M. Green received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Washington University in 1936. A native of St. Louis, he was born in 1915. After graduation, Green found a laborer's job in a local factory where he earned many promotions over the next 15 years.

In 1950, Preston joined Southwest Steel Supply Company. Starting out as vice president of purchasing and production, he rose to president by 1955 and became the company's sole shareholder and chairman of the board by 1957. During his 45 years at Southwest Steel Supply, Preston was responsible for the expansion to a second manufacturing plant in Madison, Illinois growing his company into the leading processor of steel throughout the Midwest.

Nationally, Preston was noted for his leadership and vision in the steel industry and was credited with inventing new manufacturing equipment and more efficient processing procedures. He designed most of the equipment used in his company's plants. Preston served as president of the Association of Steel Distributors in 1981 and 1982. In 1986, he received that organization's most prestigious award, "Steel Distributor of the Year."

In 1990, Preston sold Southwest Steel Co. to Hanwa American, a subsidiary of the Hanwa Corporation of Japan. Preston died in 2003 at the age of 88. Nancy Green is also a St. Louis native. Together, Preston and Nancy skillfully and regularly enjoyed ballroom dancing. Nancy serves on the advisory board for the Preston M. Green Charitable Foundation, where she continues to represent the legacy that he has left to numerous charities within the St. Louis community.

Danielle Forget-Shield
BSCE '94
Young Alumni Award

Danielle Forget-Shield's diverse career experiences have utilized both degrees she received from Washington University—a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1994 and a Master of Business Administration degree in 1998. She has held positions as a consultant, a field engineer, a trainer, a major account manager, and an operations manager, and she now serves as the director of engineering and environmental compliance for WCA Waste Corporation.

Danielle has always been involved in community, technical, and professional organizations, beginning with the Girl Scouts, where she attained the Gold Award. She has held numerous leadership positions in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and currently chairs a national committee of more than 30 volunteers. Danielle has been recognized by SWE as a 2002 National Distinguished New Engineer, the 2003 Houston Area Young Engineer of the Year, and the 2004 Houston Area Woman of Excellence.

Danielle also is very active in Washington University alumni activities. She chaired the Houston APAP committee and served on the national APAP committee, is a member of the Houston Regional Cabinet and Elliot Society Membership Committee, and chairs the Houston Alumni Club.