Major in Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Kevin Macfarlan received his B.S.M.E. and M.S.M.E. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and his Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. His doctoral dissertation was in the area of computational modeling of gas turbine combustion and the prediction of their pollutant levels. He was employed for nine years at GE Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati where he received three achievement awards. While at GE, he worked on several military jet engine programs, including those for the B-1B, F-14, F-16, F-18 and F-22 aircraft. He also contributed on several novel engine concepts, such as a commercial engine called the Unducted Fan (UDF) and a vectoring exhaust nozzle for the F-16.  Dr. Macfarlan has done research for Westinghouse/Siemens and Honeywell Aerospace in the field of gas turbines. Kevin and his wife, Laura, have taught several Sunday school classes. Dr. Macfarlan has participated in a short-term mission trip to Russia. He and his wife have four children:  Kyle (a JBU alum working as a Chemical Engineer in the greater Houston area), Ginger (another JBU alum who works for Clorox in Bentonville), Luke (a JBU engineering alum now working toward his PhD in Chemical Engineering at UT-Austin), and Lydia (currently studying Dietetics).  He also has two beautiful daughters-in-law and two precious granddaughters.  He enjoys skiing, working on his car, hiking, and biking.

Dr. John Lee joined the Engineering Faculty at John Brown University in the fall of 2018.  Dr. Lee received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma Christian University in the spring of 2008 and his Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with an emphasis in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in the spring of 2018.  His doctoral dissertation is in fluid phase separation via nanochannel arrays for space propulsion.  During his academic career he was afforded the opportunity to participate in numerous internships, including a research experience for undergraduates at the University of Arkansas, process engineering at Eaton Corporation, and a dynamics lab at Los Alamos National Labs.  While finishing his dissertation research, he worked for WattGlass, a solar panel coating start-up at the University of Arkansas Engineering Research Center. 

Dr. Lee and his wife, Nicole, enjoy spending time with their wonderful daughter, Zoey, and amazing son, Zane.  They enjoy traveling as a family and experiencing other cultures, cuisines, and foreign landscapes.  In his free time, Dr. Lee enjoys sporting events, golf, and woodworking.  He and his family are members at Cross Church, Fayetteville.

Mr. Juan Carlos Rodriguez joined the faculty of JBU in 2016. He received his B.S.M.E from John Brown University in 2006 and earned his M.S.M.E. from the University of Tulsa in 2008. His Master’s research was studying the effects of viscosity and particle size in erosion for multiphase flow. He returned to his home country of El Salvador and worked for Unilever at one of their regional manufacturing facilities. He worked five years as a Project Engineering and one year as a Manufacturing Manager. These experiences allowed him to develop a special interest for technical and management aspects of the manufacturing industry. He returned to JBU in 2014 and received his second Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Leadership in 2016. During this time he also served as the Resident Director for one of the on-campus residence halls.

Mr. Rodriguez and his wife, Lulu, have one beautiful baby daughter, Emma. They have a heart for serving young people in the Lord and have co-lead youth groups, community groups, and provided mentoring to many high school and college students. They also enjoy watching movies, traveling and spending time with family.