This has been an exciting year of change for the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering (MNE). I stepped into the role of department head, the college hired Dean Darren Dawson and the university hired Vice President for Research Karen Burg. Together we are taking a fresh look at MNE’s role in K-State’s 2025 Vision to become a top 50 public research university.
It was outstanding to see MNE’s record-high enrollment of 870 students this academic year, a growth trend we expect to continue. As a result, we are launching student retention initiatives, planning upgrades for learning space and hiring new faculty.
This is a very dynamic time. Your investment in mechanical and nuclear engineering students is more critical than ever. Whether you’re interested in student retention, learning spaces or the overall educational experience, you’ll find several opportunities to help us stay on a successful track.
Student retention
- The Advising and Recruitment Center will be a reception site for prospective students and a resource for current students to access computers, meet in small groups and get answers to general questions.
Learning space
- The Composites Laboratory is integral to the student learning experience, but major updates are needed to comply with safety requirements and to support our competition teams.
- The Conference Room will provide space for student presentations, meetings and smaller team-based projects.
- Technology upgrades are vital to our ability to record lectures and continue reaching mechanical engineering graduate students around the globe.
Educational Experience
- Excellence funding will support equipment, graduate student workers and research-related travel, all part of helping our new faculty members establish successful research programs.
As we embark on an ambitious plan to improve the student experience, your partnership will be vital to our success. We look forward to discussing what role you might play in this historic journey. Contact the engineering development office to learn more, 785-532-7609 or daniellec@found.ksu.edu.
Congratulations on this step toward better communication and shared recognition of student and faculty efforts, goals and accomplishments. Might a mission statement for this publication be offered? It may seem obvious that recognition going out and support coming in could be part of it, but specifically, what are the intended goals of this effort?
Thank you for this opportunity to respond.
Jon M. Rueck, P. E., BCEE
B. S. NE, ’64, M. S. ME ’71
While my ability to offer financial support is very limited, whatever I might offer from as air pollution control career could be shared. BCEE stands for Board Certified Environmental Engineer.
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