From the Dean

Welcome to this edition of our e-newsletter - our third and final mailing for the 2005 calendar year. It has been an eventful period, beginning this spring with groundbreaking ceremonies for the Transportation Technology Center. The construction manager reports that the site prep work for Phase I is almost finished and the support piers ready to be placed. He anticipates a 2007 completion date for this magnificent new facility.

I cannot overstate how important these new classrooms and laboratories will be to the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. If we want to advance Auburn Engineering to the next level, we must create an environment that provides our faculty with the tools to bring out the best in their teaching, their research and their students. The bottom line is that outstanding students are attracted to outstanding professors, and outstanding professors are attracted to outstanding facilities. It's honestly just that simple.

We invite you to watch the progress of TTC, as well as that of the Ross Hall renovation, at http://eng.auburn.edu/about/facilities/webcams.php.  In addition to our live action webcams you will find information about both of the projects.  Don't forget to check out our video flythrough showcasing what the new Ross will look like when the renovations are completed next summer and this historic building again becomes home for the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. 

The stories below provide a sampling of the many achievements of our students, faculty and alumni.  In 2005 we saw the kickoff of a Distinguished Lecture Series, with a visit from General Electric CEO, Jeff Immelt. You can view a video of his talk on our web at http://eng.auburn.edu/admin/marketing/video-res.php.  Other distinguished guests to the college this year have included BellSouth CEO Dwayne Ackerman and Yasuhiro Ota, assistant manager of Toyota Motor Corporation's Partner Robot Development Division.