By CARSON HUFFSTUTTER                                 

ceh017@latech.edu

 

Centuries ago, many believed the world was flat, and even after satellite pictures and globes one might have a hard time telling some of Tech’s faculty otherwise.

The College of Engineering and Science Foundation held a meeting Oct. 8 to discuss Thomas L. Friedman’s “The World is Flat: A History of the Twenty-first Century,” in which the author states that the world is “flat” because of the rapid growth of technology.

“The topic of the last meeting was to help the dean and his staff determine the best ways for the COES to work with the concept of `globalization-the world is flat,” Bruce deLeon, president of the COES Foundation, said. 

There are 30 directors and many graduated from COES, deLeon said.                

“Our industry backgrounds were helpful in sharing ideas with the dean about what things he could do to progress this theme in COES,” deLeon said.                                                            

Terry McConathy, dean of the graduate school, said the book “put a whole new perspective on issues such as graduate school.”

McConathy said she found herself asking “What are we about at graduate school? Are we training people in Lincoln parish or are we training people for the world?”

She said the meeting included discussion about interdisciplinary studies and internationalizing the curriculum.

With an array of opinions from the group it was uncharacteristic for them to come together so strongly about the subject, McConathy said.      

“To me it was so exciting to see people rise to the occasion; to see them elevate their thoughts to look at where Tech is,” McConathy said. “We have some remarkable, world-class facilities here and we can compete at that level.”                                              

The foundation has been meeting for years, now, exploring the ideas and opportunities that will allow Tech to continue to grow, James McBride, executive director of COES Foundation, said.          

“The Engineering and Science Foundation was organized in 1958 to provide an opportunity for alumni to maintain contact with and demonstrate continued interest in the college,” McBride said. “The Board consists of 26 regular and three Associate Directors, and 29 Life Directors.”

The foundation is here to help the university and its departments, deLeon said. These meetings are not about the progression of the foundation, deLeon said.

“These are mostly alumni who want to help and give back to the university by sharing their time and experiences in industry to further the goals and objectives of the COES,” deLeon said.                

This is the first of three meetings for the school year. The third meeting will allow engineering students to contribute ideas, McBride said.                                                                 Michael Fox, a senior electrical engineering major, said he is among many who look forward to these meetings.

“I am excited about participating in the meeting coming up in the spring quarter.”