Dear Colleagues,
Degrees have been conferred, awards given, grades submitted, and just like that, the 2015-16 school year draws to a close. It sure felt like this semester went fast!
This spring, all the frenetic activity meant just a little more to me than usual as I get ready to step down as dean in the fall, and Don Bender steps in as interim. I’ll be working with Don over the summer so that there is a smooth transition. I know you will all join me in thanking Don for agreeing to serve in this capacity as a search for a permanent dean commences. The search committee, chaired by Daryll Dewald, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been set up and the university will be hiring a search firm to assist.
I’m really proud of what you all have accomplished, and this year was another outstanding year for the VCEA. First of all, I want to again recognize all the outstanding students, faculty, and staff who were honored at this year’s Convocation. We are all fortunate to work with some amazing people!
I thought you might be interested to know that, during the springCommencement, the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture awarded 418 bachelors, 34 Ph.Ds, and 96 master’s degrees.
In addition to Commencement, we held the official dedication of our PACCAR Environmental Technology Building. This beautiful certified LEED – Gold building is already a thriving hub of interdisciplinary environmental research and education as well as a showcase for WSU innovations in sustainable materials and design. PACCAR’s Executive Chairman, Sir Mark Pigott, was here for the event, along with several members of his senior leadership team. He arranged for two brand-new trucks built by PACCAR companies – a Kenworth and a Peterbilt – to frame the entrance of the building, which was quite a spectacular site. The event was also attended by Karen Colonias, CEO of Simpson Strong-Tie, along with a contingent of Simpson Strong-Tie executives, who were all very thrilled with the High Bay Lab, which they have named with a generous gift. You can see photos of the dedication.
Another hallmark event this semester was our Engineering Capstone Expo. It’s always exciting to see the innovation and ingenuity our students demonstrate, and this year’s event was bigger and better than ever.
Last Saturday, we again hosted the Imagine Tomorrow High School Competition. This year marked the 9th year of the competition. Nearly 500 students from 40 schools from WA and ID competed in technology, design, or behavioral approaches to challenges in aerospace, biofuels, the built environment, or food, energy and water. Jim Hanna, Director for Datacenter Sustainability at Microsoft, was the keynote speaker. The Imagine Tomorrow competition is sponsored by 39 corporate, educational, or scientific organizations, including Alaska Airlines, who is now the title sponsor, along with The Boeing Company, BP America Inc., Northwest Advanced Renewable Alliance, and McKinstry. This year, the contestants were invited to visit the VCEA, where they toured several labs and the FIZ – thank you to Kirk Reinkens and to everyone that participated in the various stations during the tour.
It goes without saying that we are also really excited about welcoming our new WSU President, Kirk Schulz, and First Lady, Noel Schulz, who arrive on campus in mid-June. We’re pleased that both Schulzes are engineers, and we greatly look forward to adding Noel Schulz as a faculty member in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She will make a great addition to our top-ranked power engineering program.
As we move towards summer, I hope everyone can take a moment to recharge their batteries and reflect upon a great year at our college.
Thank you for all you have done for the VCEA and, as always,
GO COUGS!!
Candis Claiborn
Professor and Dean
Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture