by Founding Dean Ron Bennett

Tradition and Creation
The School of Engineering Web site home page includes a quotation from Theodore Van Karman: “Scientists discover what is, engineers create what has never been.” That includes establishing one of only three new engineering schools in the United States in the past decade.

This accomplishment is remarkable by itself, but we have done more. From the beginning, we worked to build a school that embodies the Catholic intellectual tradition. We integrate faith and reason in our curriculum, emphasizing the principle of human dignity while applying science and technology to improve the quality of life for all mankind. Our goal was to create a different kind of school – one that would help encourage and develop a different kind of engineer.

We have always wanted our graduates to live the mission of the university: to become morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good. Our graduates are bringing their ethical views to the workplace, tackling leadership roles in the public and private sector, and serving as leaders in the broader global community.

Keeping in mind both the university’s mission and the changing needs of the marketplace, the School of Engineering has attracted energetic, visionary, committed talent. At their core, our programs rely on faculty members who are committed to serving students. These exceptional instructors, adjunct and full-time, have extensive industry experience and a passion for teaching. They show students how critical thinking can lead to new ideas that better serve humanity.

Because talent attracts talent – among staff, students, advisors, partners and customers – the school is a new leader in engineering education. Combining academic excellence and ethical responsibility, we support the university’s mission and Father Dease’s priorities.

Accomplishments and Recognition
Students, faculty, alumni and supporters of the School of Engineering reflect the missions of the university and the school in their accomplishments. Employers have noticed that our graduates understand ethical issues and leadership along with engineering applications. Governor Pawlenty has appointed one of our alumni to lead a statewide bio-business initiative. Others have taken leadership roles in business, or in their communities, such as initiating “Engineers Without Borders” in Minnesota.

We have become recognized and respected for many activities, from our STEPS programs for girls, and our partnership with St. Paul Connections to reach inner-city students, to our annual “Engineering Minnesota’s Future” event that stimulates broad support among business, parents, government and media for STEM education. Work of this sort has earned both attention and praise – plus a Tekne Award for Community Champion. Although the School is relatively
new and small, we have received considerable attention: Our graduate leadership program has been nationally recognized and adopted in an NSF/ONR program; our assessment methods were featured at an ABET “Best Practices” conference; our senior design projects have attracted the notice of other nationally recognized undergraduate engineering schools; and our international service learning projects have resulted in international recognition and awarding of the Service Learning Professor of the Year to one of our faculty.

Few of these honors would have been earned without the contributions of our adjunct faculty. They bring both theory and practice to the classroom, along with intellectual depth, academic rigor, and practical experience. With their guidance, our graduates become engineers and technology leaders who understand both theory and practice.

Leadership and Vision
With any new, transformational endeavor, a few people will say it can’t be done. We had some of those critics. But we also had the commitment and support of some remarkable people. Two of them stand out: John Povolny, former 3M vice president, has been a mainstay of the program from the beginning, and embodies the student-focused philosophy of the School; and Clint Larson, former Honeywell Corporate Vice President of Operations and Chair of our Industry Advisory Board, joined in the mid 1990s. Both have devoted tremendous time and energy, providing the strategic leadership that has resulted in overcoming barriers and attracting talent that makes the School of Engineering the success it is today. May that success continue for
years to come.