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VALPO Magazine : University News : College of Engineering Celebrates 90 Years

College of Engineering Celebrates 90 Years

Engineering

left: A Valpo engineering student works at the radio demonstration board in the electrical engineering laboratory in the 1950s. Right: A modern-day student views three dimensional drawings with the VisBox®.

From the beginning, Valparaiso Univer­sity saw the importance of engineering education. Engineering classes at Valpo date back to the year the university was founded, 1859, with a course in surveying.

As the profession developed, the engi­neering program at Valpo grew. In 1917, it was established as a School of Engi­neering. The modern-day College of Engineering is a continuation of the 1917 school and a constantly developing outgrowth of the first 1859 course.

As the college celebrates its 90th anni­versary in academic year 2007-’08, it continues to be recognized as one of the best engineering programs in the United States. Based on a survey of engineering deans and faculty members throughout the country, Valpo tied for 20th in the nation among schools where the highest degree awarded is a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

“Through the years, the college has made tremendous advances in its pro­gramming,” says Dean Kraig Olejniczak ’87 EE. “Students and faculty are in­creasingly recognized nationally for their accomplishments.”

Knowing that a strong program needs the support of an adequate facility to continue to accomplish its goals, the university’s current fundraising cam­paign, the “Our Valpo, Our Time, 150th Anniversary Initiative,” seeks funding to add vitally needed spaces and upgrades to Gellersen Center, home of the college. Click here to learn more.

One of the most storied periods in the college’s history occurred in the late 1940s when a group a students raised funds for, and constructed, an engi­neering laboratory building, which today is the Art/Psychology building. The student project was unprecedented in American education and news of it appeared in more than 400 newspapers throughout the country. The construc­tion was depicted in a movie, “Venture of Faith,” that was filmed on campus and featured Hollywood actors.

Engineering Deans Through the Years
Numerous Valpo engineering alumni have served as dean of the College of Engineering, including
Fred Kruger ’44 (1965 to 1973),
Gilbert Lehmann ’55 (1973 to 1978),
William Shewan ’50 (1978 to 1980),
Stuart Walesh ’63 (1985 to 1993),
Ed Luecke ’55 (1993 to 1999 and acting dean, 2001-’02),
and Kraig Olejniczak ’87 (2002 to present).
For a complete list of deans, visit valpo.edu/alumni/engineering.

Valparaiso University, Institutional Advancement, Office of Communications