From the Dean: January 2020
Dear Purdue Engineering Community,
Welcome back from what I hope was an enjoyable and re-energizing break. Purdue has been a special place for me, so it is a special honor for me to step in and serve as your Dean of Engineering for 2020.
The beginning of a semester is a busy time, so I’ll just call your attention to a few things.
First, you may have heard that we now have more than 100,000 Purdue Engineering alumni. This Boilermakers Engineering alumni community is an incredible resource that is on its way to becoming the world’s premier alumni network.
Second, 2020 marks the 120th Anniversary of the College of Engineering. “120 Small Steps to Engineering Excellence” will kick off Feb. 7 with a Past Deans’ Panel and Photo Wall Unveil in Armstrong Hall.
Third, let’s not forget that we are in the midst of graduate admissions cycle. Graduate students play a pivotal role in our success as a top tier research university. Top universities compete for the very best students, and personal interactions with faculty are key factors in attracting these students to Purdue. I encourage all faculty to actively participate in recruiting graduate students.
Fourth, please put February 18 on your calendars. Provost Jay Akridge will spend some time with us in Engineering. His visit begins with an open forum from 1:00 – 1:30 PM in EE-117.
Fifth, I look forward to getting to know more of you, informally and during my regular office hours, beginning Jan. 21 at 11:00 AM.
Finally, I want to call your attention the student mental health crises at most universities today. There are many resources available on campus, but as discussed in this recent piece by three engineering deans, faculty play a critical role:
Best wishes for a successful semester as we advance the frontiers of knowledge and prepare our students to thrive in these exciting times.
Mark
Mark S. Lundstrom
Acting Dean of the College of Engineering
Don and Carol Scifres Distinguished Professor
of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Purdue University