SPRING IS HERE and another Institute of Technology
class is graduating. As I look back on my own commencement experience, I remember
it as a meaningful conclusion to years of study and preparation. But preparation for what?
Many of us start at the University without a clear sense of where we are going. But even at graduation,
some of my fellow classmates had that sense of “what do I do now?”
While I was still a student, I had secured a position
in a small engineering consulting firm where I would follow my interests and passion once I graduated.
But it wasn’t always clear what path my life would take.
I started at the University in 1970. After a few months with no particular direction or degree in mind, I decided to stop wasting time and money, and joined the U.S. Air Force. In the service, I became a radio repairman, and learned that I would rather be the person who designs the radio, than the one who repairs it.
When I returned from the service, the GI Bill paid for my education and I became an electrical engineer. Although my career path was a bit more circuitous than most, I considered myself fortunate for I had found my real interest and passion—to help people solve problems. And even better—I had found a position
in the consulting business where people came to me, and paid me to help them solve problems.
If there is any advice I can impart to new graduates—
or anyone for that matter—it’s to follow your passion and do what you love to do. What is it that interests you? What is it you yearn to do?
We all need to find out what’s important to us and what drives us. It’s one of the reasons I participate in the Institute of Technology Alumni Society (ITAS).
I became involved with the University after one of my acquaintances, who was on the ITAS board, called to ask if I would be interested in helping with a K-12 outreach project called “Building a New World.”
It was all part of a grand plan to build a large-scale model of the earth. Each group had a map of its part of the world (my group had Iraq) and we had to translate
the map onto the pieces that would be affixed to the larger earth panels. Institute of Technology folks were involved to help the young student groups translate the technology that was involved.
Eventually, the students came to the University to assemble the large earth on Northrop Mall. Although it took several hours, it went like clockwork. It was genius in how it all came together. It was great to see thousands of junior high kids milling around on the Mall and assembling their pieces. Invariably there were some mistakes, but someone was there to fix problems with a paint spray gun. It was fun, and we were all solving problems together.
I met students and faculty who I never would have met if I had not gotten involved. The University has always been a big part of my family—my parents, aunts, uncles, brother, and sister all went to school here. My wife works here and my daughter starts at the University next fall. It’s in my blood and one of my passions—to be part of the University community and be involved with cutting-edge technology.
As new graduates become alumni, ITAS is a way to maintain a presence in the University community. The mentor program is a great example that started with an idea. The Young Professionals Series is a way to network and attend professional development events. And there are more opportunities.
It doesn’t have to take a lot of time. By doing something interesting and giving something back on a limited scale, you’ll be rewarded many times over. I invite you to get involved. You will make a difference, you will solve problems, and you may even find your own passion.
TechFest draws 1,000 visitors
Alumnus Ken Hallberg (ME ’60, M.B.A. ’67) and his grandson, Andrew, examine
a zoetrope, a device that produces an illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures, during TechFest 2008, a hands-on science showcase in honor of National Engineers Week. The event at The Works museum in Edina, Minn., focused on a mechanical engineering theme and featured robot exhibits and build-your-own catapults. The annual TechFest event is a cooperative effort of the Institute of Technology and The Works with sponsorship this year from Alliant Techsystems, Digital River, and the Center for Transportation Studies, and support from the Society of Women Engineers and General Mills.
UMAA annual event May 29
IT ALUMNUS EARL BAKKEN (EE ’48) and cardiac researcher Doris Taylor, Ph.D., will headline the University of Minnesota Alumni Association 2008 Annual Celebration,
set for May 29 in Northrop Auditorium.
Taylor, a world-renowned heart researcher and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Repair, is the keynote speaker. She recently
led a team that created a beating heart muscle on an empty scaffolding, a breakthrough that could lead to growing new hearts for cardiac patients.
Bakken, who created the firstfirst wearable, battery-powered, transistorized cardiac pacemaker, will introduce Taylor, who holds the Medtronic Bakken professorship in the University Medical School.
The annual celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and dinner on Northrop Mall, followed by the program at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now at www.alumni.umn.edu/AC08.
Young Professionals Series events feature timely topics
Institute of Technology alumni Jan Makowski (M.S. EE ’06) and Ryan O’Leary (EE ’05, M.S. ’05) recently attended the Young Professionals Series event. Mechanical engineering professor Jane Davidson presented “Hot and Hotter: Solar Thermal Technology.” The Young Professionals Series is a networking and professional development opportunity designed for recent Institute of Technology graduates in the early stages of their careers. The programs typically feature an industry or faculty keynote speaker, tours, a social hour, and time to network with other industry professionals. If you would like to receive invitations to future Young Professionals Series events, please e-mail itas@umn.edu or call 612-626-1802.
IT public lecture set for June 12
DOUG ARNOLD, University math professor and director of the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), is the featured speaker at the next IT Public Lecture,
sponsored by the IT Alumni Society, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 in the Digital Technology Center, 402 Walter Library, University
of Minnesota.
Arnold recently was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship as one of only five mathematicians in the U.S. and Canada to receive the prestigious
award.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended
at www.it.umn.edu.
Alumnus Ken Hallberg (ME ’60, M.B.A. ’67) and his grandson, Andrew, examine
a zoetrope, a device that produces an illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures, during TechFest 2008, a hands-on science showcase in honor of National Engineers Week. The event at The Works museum in Edina, Minn., focused on a mechanical engineering theme and featured robot exhibits and build-your-own catapults. The annual TechFest event is a cooperative effort of the Institute of Technology and The Works with sponsorship this year from Alliant Techsystems, Digital River, and the Center for Transportation Studies, and support from the Society of Women Engineers and General Mills.
Institute of Technology alumni Jan Makowski (M.S. EE ’06) and Ryan O’Leary (EE ’05, M.S. ’05) recently attended the Young Professionals Series event. Mechanical engineering professor Jane Davidson presented “Hot and Hotter: Solar Thermal Technology.” The Young Professionals Series is a networking and professional development opportunity designed for recent Institute of Technology graduates in the early stages of their careers. The programs typically feature an industry or faculty keynote speaker, tours, a social hour, and time to network with other industry professionals. If you would like to receive invitations to future Young Professionals Series events, please e-mail itas@umn.edu or call 612-626-1802.