Dreams really can come true. Last week, after performing his notorious version of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” at the Cal men’s volleyball game, William Hung was surprised with a $25,000 check for a recording contract from Fuse Networks. Hung assembled a team of six dancers to spice up his performance and was rewarded with a standing ovation from the packed crowd. For more on Berkeley’s most famous CEE junior, read the story on page two.

Graduate student instructor talks about his journey from student to teacher

CEE Ph.D. Kofi Inkabi dreamed of being a college professor, but after teaching his first class as a graduate student instructor (GSI), he wasn’t so sure he had what it took. The shock of transitioning from student to teacher with so little preparation left him feeling daunted and doubting his career choice.

Inkabi’s first stab at teaching was for a class he took the year before, CE 180/290E: Construction, Maintenance and Design of Civil & Environmental Engineered Systems...[FULL STORY]

William Hung gets more than his 15 minutes of fame after landing a record contract

The media is definitely hung up on Hung. When he performed during half time at last week’s Cal men’s volleyball game, camera crews from Fox, Dateline, Extra, Access Hollywood, CBS News, and US Weekly were there.

The buzz around William Hung refuses to die down as Berkeley’s most famous engineering undergraduate signs autographs, hires back-up dancers, and gets millions of hits on his multiple fan Web sites. Now, Hung is considering accepting a $25,000 check for a record contract with Fuse Networks...[FULL STORY]

ME alumnus working to build a better world for Hispanics

It was a Hollywood movie that inspired him to immigrate to the U.S. from humble roots in South America. But rather than personal fortune and fame, Victor Pinzon (BS’64 ME) was seeking something much loftier: a better life for himself and his people.

“My future in Colombia did not look bright or challenging,” Pinzon says. “I made up my mind that, if I was allowed to enter the U.S., I would do any and all work within the law necessary to accomplish my goal.” ... [FULL STORY]

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