Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Office: 335 Kennedy Hall of Engineering
Phone: 616-331-6010
Email: [email protected]

Education: 

B.S. Mechanical Engineering - GMI Engineering & Manufacturing Institute
M.S. Mechanical Engineering - Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering - Michigan State University

Research Interests:

Integrating project based learning in the mechanical engineering curriculum, Integrating FEA in mechanics and machine design courses, Mechanical testing, Integrating entrepreneurship in engineering education, Biomechanics

Check out Dr. Reffeor's work on Google Scholar!

Biography:

Dr. Wendy Reffeor is serving as the inaugural Unit Head of the new Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. Dr. Reffeor has been a faculty member at Grand Valley State University since 1996 and has served as Program Chair for the Integrated Engineering program, the Mechanical Engineering program, and most recently as Interim Associate Dean for the Padnos College of Engineering. She received her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from GMI Engineering & Management Institute (now Kettering University), her Master of Science from Indiana University Indianapolis, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Mechanics from Michigan State University. Dr. Reffeor displays endless dedication and service to the Padnos College of Engineering, and her students. We look forward to her taking on this new role as Unit Head of the Department of Mechanical and Product Development Engineering.

Service Positions:

2025 - current Chair, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Padnos College of Engineering, GVSU

2024 - 2025   Interim Associate Dean, Padnos College of Engineering

2020 - current   Chair, Mechanical Engineering Program Committee, Padnos College of Engineering, GVSU

Winter 2019 Chair, Mechanical Engineering Program Committee, Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, GVSU

2016 - 18 Chair, Integrated Engineering Program Committee, Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, GVSU

2013 - 2020 Member Padnos College of Engineering and Computing Curriculum Committee

2007- 2010 Chair, ASME International Student Design Committee

2007 - 2010 Member, ASME International Committee on Student Development

2003 - 2010 Member, ASME International Student Design Committee

2001 - 2003 Padnos School of Engineering Computer Committee Chair

Courses Taught:

EGR 101—Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing Laboratory (coordinator 2 years)

EGR 106—Introduction to Engineering Design I (coordinator 1 year)

EGR 107—Introduction to Engineering Design II

EGR 209—Mechanics and Machines (coordinator 12 yrs)

EGR 210—Solid Mechanics

EGR 220  (EGR 103)—Measurement and Analysis Laboratory

EGR 250—Materials Science Laboratory

EGR 289—Engineering Professionalism (coordinator 1 semester)

EGR 290—Engineering Co-op 1

EGR 302—Engineering Decision-Making in Society (new course development and coordinator)

EGR 309—Machine Design I (coordinator 12 years)

EGR 310—Machine Design I Laboratory (coordinator 12 years)

EGR 312—Dynamics

EGR 390—Engineering Co-op 2

EGR 409—Machine Design II

EGR 485—Senior Project I (Lecture and Lab, coordinator 8 years)

EGR 486—Senior Project II (coordinator 8 years)

EGR 490—Engineering Co-op 3

EGR 616—Experimental Mechanics (new course development)

EGR 699—Transducers (new course development)

EGR 699—Continuum Mechanics and Elasticity (new course development)

EGR 699—Kinematics (new course development)

EGR 699—Partial Differential Equations (new course development)

EGR 699—Viscoelasticity (new course development)

Industry Experience:

1991-95 Allison Engine Company

Positions:  Inspection Supervisor, Nondestructive Testing Supervisor/Engineer, Quality

Engineer, Quality Auditor, Senior Quality Auditor

Responsible for:  Gage use and design, coordinate measuring machine programming, ultrasonic inspection, eddy current inspection and x-ray inspection techniques used in manufacturing, fluorescent penetrant and magnetic penetrant inspection review, developing and revising quality control procedures, working with manufacturing and design engineers to improve manufacturability of parts, spearheading efforts to improve procedural compliance and quality in manufacturing

             Special Accomplishment:  developed and implemented quality plan and procedures at a satellite facility

1986-91 Cooperative Education Student, Allison Gas Turbines, Division of General Motors

Assignments:  Chemical Analyst, Inspection Supervisor, Sport (Student Run Plant Recycling

Program) Coordinator, Reliability Engineer, Quality Engineer, Nondestructive Testing Engineer, Nondestructive Inspection Supervisor