Archive for 'In Depth'
Moving a great college forward
Posted on 01. May, 2013 by perspective.
As my first opportunity as dean to reach the 45,000-plus College of Engineering alumni, let me express my great enthusiasm for the future of this college, for our profession as a whole, and for the chance to work with you. Engineering today is at the very heart of many national and global priorities. My goal [...]
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Wisconsin engineering: Support, retain and grow
Posted on 10. Dec, 2012 by perspective.
When I joined the UW-Madison College of Engineering as dean in 1999, I was determined to address a persistent problem: Too many students who begin undergraduate life aspiring to be engineers end up leaving engineering. As I look back on nearly 14 years of college leadership, I can say confidently that we’re turning that problem [...]
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Innovation: Forward thinking
Posted on 27. Aug, 2012 by perspective.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison will formally recognize 2012-13 as the Year of Innovation. As the engineering dean at a major research university, I recognize the importance of innovation in moving research discoveries into society to improve our quality of life and the economy. Innovation is where great ideas and discoveries are put to work for [...]
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Interdisciplinary research and education: Big thinking for big challenges
Posted on 18. Apr, 2012 by perspective.
The common definition of “discipline” illustrates why the word is so deeply rooted in the lexicon of higher education. Discipline is all about rigorous preparation, self-command, willpower, following a strict regimen—many of the traits that are required in the evolution from student to expert in any chosen academic field. Yet many of the truly exciting [...]
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We all have a stake in college excellence
Posted on 09. Dec, 2011 by perspective.
Message from John Berndt, Chairman College of Engineering Industrial Advisory Board As fellow alumni, I am sure you appreciate the privilege afforded to us who studied and graduated from the College of Engineering at UW-Madison, one of the world’s premier universities. The university and college represent a great asset to Wisconsin, an important contributor to [...]
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Creating pathways to engineering success
Posted on 28. Sep, 2011 by perspective.
As the University of Wisconsin-Madison celebrates the “Year of the Wisconsin Idea,” recognizing a century of contributions to the greater public good, it’s worth reflecting on how ingrained that tradition has become in engineering. The Wisconsin Idea drives us to extend the benefits of UW-Madison work to the citizens of the state and beyond. We [...]
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Seeding innovation in engineering education
Posted on 21. Jun, 2011 by perspective.
Four years ago, a new course for UW-Madison freshmen interested in engineering addressed a big question: How can engineers change the world? Today, a bigger audience than we ever anticipated will be contemplating that question. Introduction to Society’s Engineering Grand Challenges, conceived by a team of innovative engineering faculty in 2007, is a multidisciplinary course [...]
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The rising tide of science and engineering talent
Posted on 15. Nov, 2010 by perspective.
On May 18-21, 2011, UW-Madison will take center stage in the national effort to nurture a new generation of talented scientists and engineers. More than 6,000 participants and visitors will descend on campus for the 27th annual Science Olympiad National Tournament, the largest scholastic science competition in North America.Science Olympiad is one of the best [...]
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Building a culture of innovation
Posted on 01. Sep, 2010 by perspective.
Looking through recent patent disclosures from the UW-Madison College of Engineering provides a lesson in intellectual potential. Consider a few examples: Electrical and computer engineers Robert Blick and Minrui Yu developed a laser-drilling technique capable of drilling precise holes at the nanometer scale. Mechanical engineers Rolf Reitz and Reed Hanson created a “clean compression” process [...]
