Dean's Message
| Magazine Section: | Strategic Growth Initiative |
|---|---|
| College or School: | CoE |
| Article Type: | Article |
I am honored to have served as dean of Purdue’s College of Engineering since July 2017. This is a special place with special opportunities: Our momentum is strong and our potential unbounded.
In individual meetings with hundreds of faculty, open-door office hours with students and staff, open forums or town hall meetings, and 12 alumni gatherings around the world in my first nine months, I have gained an ever-increasing appreciation of the proud heritage and future possibilities of Purdue Engineering.
Walking through the many buildings where Boilermaker engineers learn and create, I have seen how they are working to shape the condition of human existence in the decades to come. In the sharable and flexible spaces recently unveiled: Bechtel Innovation Design Center (with the Polytechnic Institute), the expanded Zucrow Labs, and the Flex Lab, our faculty and students keep innovating with creativity and humility.
When I sit in on our classes, I feel the impact of a land-grant university in transforming the lives of many. Our students participate in global exchanges, join co-ops, and conduct research. Some are athletes and others entrepreneurs. The stories of Abby Lemert, Elijah Sindelar, Dominque Oden and many others illustrate how we uphold academic rigor and excel in quality with one of the largest enrollments in the country.
Our faculty are extraordinary and collaborative. This year saw the launch of two national-level centers led by Purdue engineers: NSF CISTAR and SRC-DARPA C-BRIC. They will, respectively, reinvent the future of energy and artificial intelligence. From newly announced joint/dual-degree programs to the interdisciplinary Engineering Faculty Conversations, our faculty are known for their impact on the world.
From the heartland to the hemispheres, our 93,000-strong alumni share the pride and passion for Purdue Engineering. Many of them have helped us in the ongoing Ever True campaign, for which the College of Engineering is set to break records in multiple ways. Our revamped communication channels will help connect West Lafayette with alumni, friends, and industry collaborators alike. Some rank our College as number 7 in the United States and in the top 3 among public universities. We know our unique strengths and culture. In education and in research, on campus and online, Purdue Engineering will reach the pinnacle of excellence at scale.
Boiler up!