On Thursday, May 21, 2009, Stevens Institute of Technology will be granting John Wirsbinski a PhD in Systems Engineering, and Linda Olivo, a Master's Degree in Systems Engineering, posthumously. 

Admitted into the Systems Engineering doctoral degree program in the Fall of 2005, John Wirsbinski’s research focused on establishing a security strategy using the tools and methodologies of systems thinking.  Working closely with his dissertation advisor, Dr. John Boardman, and dissertation committee members Drs. Jose Ramirez-Marquez, John Farr, Art Pyster, and Victor Lawrence, John was scheduled to defend his dissertation proposal on May 28, 2009.  John William Wirsbinski, a third year Systems Engineering doctoral candidate and employee of Sandia National Labs, passed away Friday, April 24, 2009. 

In 2008, John Wirbinski's paper entitled “Paradox: Systems Thinking at its Best or at its Worst” was accepted for publication at the IEEE International Conference on System of Systems Engineering, in Monterey, CA.

On May 21, 2009, Stevens Institute of Technology will award John Wirsbinski the degree of Ph.D. in Systems Engineering, posthumously, at the university’s commencement.

Linda Olivo, Stevens Alumnus, Systems Engineering graduate student, and Computer Scientist at the FAA, William J. Hughes Technical Center, in Atlantic City, NJ, passed away on December 7, 2008.  Linda had completed Graduate Certificates in Systems Engineering and Architecting, and Systems Supportability and Engineering, and in 1989 she received a Master of Science degree from Stevens in Applied Psychology.

Throughout her years at the William J. Hughes Technical Center, Linda focused on the operational suitability of several air traffic systems.

On May 21, 2009, Stevens Institute of Technology will award Linda Olivo a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, posthumously, at the university’s commencement in Hoboken, NJ.