IN TODAY'S ECONOMIC CLIMATE, it is more
important than ever that we continue to examine
who we are as a college and the direction we are
headed. We have clearly set our research priorities in
the areas of energy and the environment, health care
and medical devices, and a strong national infrastructure.
We will achieve new breakthroughs by employing
all the latest technology including nanotechnology and
digital and electronic technologies. We also strive to
provide top quality undergraduate and graduate educational
opportunities for our students.
Beyond this important foundation, we are also looking
at what other barriers we are facing in order to compete
for research funds, students, and faculty. Earlier
this academic year, my advisory board identified the
name of our college (including its acronym IT) as increasingly
problematic in terms of securing financial support
and recognition for critical academic programs.
Today, IT has come to mean Information Technology
to virtually everyone. The board also stressed that few
people outside the University have an understanding of
the difference between the Institute of Technology and
other University of Minnesota research institutes.
In an effort to increase the visibility of engineering
and science programs within the Institute of Technology,
we have conducted wide-ranging discussions of a
possible name change for the college. We commissioned
the University’s Carlson School of Management’s Brand
Enterprise program to assist with our research. Over the
past few months, they have involved a wide variety of
stakeholders in the discussions, including alumni, faculty,
staff, students, business leaders, and other groups.
The results of the research will be examined over
the next few months and discussed with the advisory
board. Change is always difficult, but we are confident
that the outcome of examining our college will provide
important feedback for decisions that will make us
stronger than ever.
In addition, we also recently conducted a statistically-
valid survey about this magazine to assess its value.
We were pleased to find that the reach of Inventing Tomorrow
is high. About 88 percent of readers say they
read at least one article and the typical reader spends
about 25 minutes reading through the magazine. At
least 70 percent report either skimming or reading
each key section.
The survey also showed that Inventing Tomorrow
is building awareness and providing information on
the college’s top priorities, especially in the areas of
research and education in renewable energy and the
environment.
This issue of the magazine is no exception. In the
article “Winning the War on Global Climate Change,”
we highlight faculty researchers who are helping to
tackle some of the most perplexing scientific questions
about climate change, ultimately providing policymakers
with a sound basis for critical decisions.
In the article “Innovative Partnership,” we highlight
the more than 100-year partnership between
the Institute of Technology and 3M that has shaped
innovative ideas and created products that we use
every day. Many Institute of Technology alumni are
among the most illustrious leaders of the company.
That spirit of innovation is continuing in our students
today. In the story “Tapping Student Talent,”
we highlight two current Institute of Technology
students and one recent graduate who are part of
the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program. Last
year, the program helped companies realize energy
savings of more than $3 million.
It is stories like these that give me encouragement
about the future. If we can ensure that our college
remains strong, I am confident that we will play an
important role in the economic turnaround of our
state and nation.
