College of

Engineering, Architecture and Technology

The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering welcomed a record 135 freshmen in fall 2024, marking a 32% increase from the 102 enrolled in fall 2023.

Recognizing that first-year students have limited direct engagement with ECE faculty, the department organized its first-ever ECE Freshman Showcase Day on the evening of November 7, 2024.

 

This event was a collaborative effort by ECE faculty, staff and student leaders from IEEE and HKN. The showcase featured a “walk-and-talk” poster session where students interacted with faculty to explore their teaching and research interests. Additionally, a series of speakers offered words of encouragement, including Dr. Guoliang Fan (ECE department head), Dr. James Stine (ECE professor), Nate Lannan (assistant professor and director of the Undergraduate Program Committee), Kristal Soderstrom-Junkens (academic advisor) and leaders from IEEE, HKN and student representatives. Special guests included two distinguished ECE alumni: Mr. Derek Gates, owner of D.W. Gates Engineering in Tulsa, OK, and Dr. Joseph Campbell from MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Both Gates and Campbell will be inducted into the CEAT Hall of Fame this fall.  Campbell is also the recipient of the prestigious Lohmann Medal - CEAT’s highest honor and recognition.  Each shared inspiring messages for the freshmen, creating memorable highlights for the evening. The event concluded with an impressive Tesla Coil demonstration, crafted within ECE by Dr. Jerzy Krasinski, ECE emeritus professor. This inaugural showcase underscored to ECE freshmen—and all students—that faculty are deeply invested in their success and personal growth.