Dean’s Welcome
Why are Valpo Engineers so special? The short answer is that they are not only technically skilled but good communicators, critical thinkers, and able to work well with others. Valpo Engineers want to apply their skills to improve the world and to make other people’s lives better. In short, they are eager to lead and serve society. Whether leading a multidisciplinary team for a small company, working overseas for a major international engineering firm, or starting their own company, a Valpo Engineer will always strive to solve the problems facing society today.
At Valparaiso University, engineering students develop the practical, hands-on skills necessary to complement their science and math knowledge. To help provide students with these skills, we have outstanding laboratory facilities including the Donald V. Fites Engineering Innovation Center, which houses our unique senior design space. The James S. Markiewicz Solar Energy Research Facility, operational since the summer of 2013, puts Valparaiso University on the cutting edge of solar energy research – research that is being conducted by both Valpo faculty and undergraduates. All of our facilities provide students with the essential hands-on education needed to solve the complex problems facing society today.
We also have dedicated faculty who are committed to undergraduate education and are leaders in their respective field. Their scholarly work provides undergraduate research opportunities in areas such as Solar Thermal Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, and Environmental Remediation. Faculty members teach every course in our college, and they serve not only as educators but also mentors, helping students realize the numerous career possibilities they have once they graduate.
On top of outstanding curricula in each of our programs, students have the opportunity to gain valuable experiences through experiential learning activities such as the WAVES (our humanitarian engineering student organization), Valpo Robotics, and Valpo Space Program. We are also one of the only universities in the nation to offer a Dale Carnegie training course to our students alongside their technical education. These activities build leadership and communication skills and help our engineering students become more entrepreneurial and service-oriented. Our students are highly sought after by companies because they are more than technical specialists; they are excellent communicators and strong leaders.
I invite you to spend some time exploring our programs through these web pages to determine your path to becoming a Valpo Engineer.
Dr. Doug Tougaw
Dean, College of Engineering