Faculty, staff efforts yield 'remarkable' results

It has been a really remarkable few weeks for the college since my last Tech Insider update. The Purdue Polytechnic Institute and its faculty, staff and students continue to make news and enjoy accomplishments that are transformational.

One of the most significant events in the history of the college and Purdue University is the Higher Learning Commission’s approval of the competency-based Transdisciplinary Studies in Technology degree last week. We believe it is the first competency-based Bachelor of Science degree program in the nation at a research-intensive university. This degree program will bring us instant national recognition, and we will begin admitting students into the program for a Fall 2017 start. We should give special recognition to all of the Incubator faculty fellows, Jeff Evans and Fatma Mili for their leadership in developing the degree program and the initial cohort of students who continue to be pioneers.

Another remarkable accomplishment was the first Purdue University commencement staged in Africa, where 22 students received their Master of Science degree in Technology Leadership and Innovation in Moshi, Tanzania. The degree concentration in biotechnology innovation and regulation science (BIRS) is led by Kari Clase, associate professor of technology leadership and innovation. Students in the program are from Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. This is a great example of the Purdue Polytechnic’s global impact. The commencement was attended by Steve Bryn, co-director of the educational program and professor of medicinal chemistry; Kari Clase; and Geanie Umberger, associate dean for engagement, who teaches in the program and represented the offices of the president and the dean.

Rankings are an important part of the landscape in higher education, but unfortunately technology programs like ours are seldom singled out in rankings, such as the US News education rankings. When our programs are ranked, however, we normally do very well. In the last few weeks, two programs in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology have been featured in new rankings. The burgeoning user experience graduate program has been named a Best Value User Experience Design Graduate Program by Value Colleges for 2016, just behind notable programs at MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Stanford University. The undergraduate program in game studies earned a Top 50 ranking on The Princeton Review's 2016 list saluting the top undergraduate schools in game design.

When I scan the news articles on the Polytechnic’s website, I am amazed at the great stories and impact we have as a college. I know that all of us are doing great work, and it is not always recognized by a news article. We all play an important role in the success of the college and we all have impact in our own ways. We all are contributing to our mission:

To inspire, educate, and mentor students through learn-by-doing and integrated study, preparing graduates for success as future technology innovators and industry leaders; and to advance trans-disciplinary learning, engagement, and use-inspired research addressing important state and global challenges.

Boiler Up!

 

About The Author

Gary Bertoline's picture
Gary R. Bertoline is Dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology, and a Professor of Computer & Information Technology. Prior to becoming dean, he served as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in the College of Technology. From 1995 through 2002, Gary served as Department Head of Computer Graphics Technology at Purdue University.