PHOTO: Ron KanderDirector’s Welcome

Welcome to the new School of Engineering at James Madison University! This is an exciting time for all of us. The new school was formed in January of 2007 with a vision that our engineering graduates will improve the sustainability of Virginia and our world by considering the environmental, energy, financial, security, and social impacts when analyzing problems and designing solutions.

I have been amazed by the number of people, ranging from industry and academic colleagues to prospective students and parents, who have been intrigued by our new concept in engineering education. I have seen a convergence of the ideas we proposed in designing our new degree program with discussions being led by national and international leaders in engineering education. For example, the National Academy of Engineering, ABET (the international engineering accreditation body), and leaders in government, industry, & academia all recognize the need to educate and enlighten “engineering versatilists” who can help the world address the grand engineering challenges that face us as a nation and as a world-wide human community.

We are embarking on an exciting and challenging new journey that will redefine the meaning of an undergraduate engineering education. If you would like to learn more, please call 540-568-8988 or email engineering@jmu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Ronald Kander