To mark Graduate Student Appreciation Week (April 4-8), the College of Engineering is recognizing the contributions of its 4,662 graduate students and encouraging them to participate in special activities.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to all Purdue Engineering graduate students,” said Mung Chiang, executive vice president of Purdue University, John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering, and Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

“Thank you for everything you do, every day, to help the College of Engineering continue to reach new heights. You embody the Pinnacle of Excellence at Scale. You serve and inspire as exceptional instructors, graders and mentors to our 11,089 undergraduate students, and you advance groundbreaking research.”

Chiang credited graduate students’ persistence, drive, creativity, and fast execution with contributing to major College accomplishments, including:

• No. 4 graduate engineering college in the U.S. for the second consecutive year, in a Purdue Engineering record, with ABE No. 1 in its field three years in a row

• Top 3 online master’s engineering programs in the U.S., with electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering programs No. 1 their fields

• 15 new research centers in the last year

• More than 831 U.S. patents issued to date

• Numerous novel, high-impact discoveries spanning the gamut of engineering challenges

“Graduate students are absolutely critical to the excellence of Purdue Engineering in our teaching, research, and full ecosystem,” said Dana Weinstein, associate dean of graduate education for the College of Engineering and associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. “We couldn’t be who we are or provide the value we offer without you.”

Weinstein said graduate students “allow us to deliver undergraduate, graduate and growing online education at the necessary level and scale, supporting faculty and embracing creative teaching methods.”

In addition, she noted: “Graduate students keep our research enterprise running, ensuring quality, innovation, and productivity. They are at the core of Purdue’s research success, including everything from scientific breakthroughs to expenditures that keep our institution running. Our graduate researchers also play a crucial role in mentoring and building a pipeline of future researchers and entrepreneurs.”

Particularly in online learning, Weinstein said, “graduate students offer knowledge, experience and diverse perspectives gained in industry – augmenting courses and materials through their interactions with faculty, teaching assistants, and fellow students.”

She also recognized graduate alumni for “giving back to the College, whether through their own career or personal success, engagement, mentorship, recruitment or continuing ties.” 

Students are encouraged to take advantage of Graduate Student Appreciation Week activities around campus, described here.

“We are continually working to develop programs and services to meet the many different graduate education needs,” Weinstein said. “We invite students to reach out to the Office of Graduate Education for more information on the various resources available.”