Samuel Rymer, a junior in building construction management, is being featured as one of Five Students who are Home Makers during June 2013.

From single-family homes to residence halls, Purdue students are designing and building spaces for living and working with an eye toward sustainability. Driven, committed to self-improvement and passionate about bettering the lives around him, Rymer plans to lend his skills and quest for excellence to the construction industry.

Read the full story about Rymer on Purdue’s Five Students Who site.

Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development publishes “Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs.” U.S. News and Money Magazine track the 100 Best Jobs.  There is even a list for the Top 10 companies college students want to work for (and Technology graduates do!).

At the root of these lists is an attempt to provide direction and incentive to potential employees and job creators. They highlight opportunities for a wide range of skills, and most agree that the careers College of Technology students are prepared for are some of the most sought after. From computing to construction management, the majors within the College of Technology are proving to be high-demand degrees for the future workforce.

Consider this: the placement data collected by Purdue’s Center for Career Opportunities shows Technology graduates getting hired at a higher rate than the University as a whole. Their starting salaries rank third behind the colleges of Engineering and Science.

With such good news now and on the horizon, the college should be bursting at the seams. Perceptions about a Technology degree and confusion about its relationship with Engineering have led many new students to choose a different major during their first year. The College of Technology and its majors see growth in the second and third year of a student’s college career as they begin to understand the value of the college’s offerings.

Jobs forecast

The academic departments within the College of Technology use a variety of sources to help them gauge the needs of the workforce. The main organization is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks careers and attempts to gauge demand for employees and skill sets. Most of the careers Technology graduates are prepared for stand to see growth through at least 2020, and a few can expect very rapid growth.

In addition, the Department of Aviation Technology relies on the Current Market Outlook released by Boeing. It tracks potential aviation careers globally, and the outlook is rosy, especially in the international markets. With larger airline fleets and increased traffic, the entire aviation industry is expected to see growth. That means great demand for workers at all levels, including those who graduate from Purdue’s aviation programs.

The introduction of technology into many processes also bodes well for new graduates. Because they have been exposed to several technologies as students and as early adopters, they are well-versed in using technology in many formats and scenarios. That extra knowledge is a great selling point for today’s employers who are trying to replace a slew of retirees in the next few years.

Perhaps the brightest spot in the CoT career outlook is for graduates of the computer and information technology program. Every “best jobs” list includes multiple careers that require the skills garnered from the degree program. The continued growth of all things computer means there will be continued demand for these workers for years to come.

External factors often make it hard for at least one department to have a clear picture of future jobs. Changes in tax laws, elections, natural disasters and insurance companies all influence supply and demand of construction services, according to Robert Cox, former head of the Department of Building Construction Management and now associate dean for engagement and globalization.

“We get most of our career outlook from our Construction Advisory Council,” he said. “We can also look to our recent graduates. You get a good sense of which sectors are hiring based on what companies they are concentrating in.”

Recent graduates are seeing a lot of interest from more of the heavy construction areas, such as power, highways and other infrastructure. The bulk of 2012 graduates went to companies specializing in healthcare construction and electrical or mechanical contracting, three of the six concentrations the department offers.

Overcoming perceptions

One challenge Purdue and the College of Technology has is educating the public and prospective students about the career possibilities available to a CoT graduate. Whether it is a mistaken perception about the nature of the degree or lack of information, it is often difficult to attract students to the academic programs that lead to these in-demand careers.

For example, because of degree names that include the words “industrial” or “building construction”, students don’t realize that the skills they gain are applicable in a wider setting.

“For example, we have students who are going into the healthcare industry. When they came here, they didn’t know that their skills were applicable in that field,” said Ragu Athinarayanan, head of the Department of Technology Leadership & Innovation. “They thought they would be working for an automotive company or another manufacturer. Many of the skills we foster have a broader impact on society, so our graduates can go look for a government job or healthcare industry job as well as the traditional manufacturing positions.”

In Aviation Technology, the faculty have adjusted the curriculum to provide a fuller picture of the aviation industry. Individual majors see where they fit into the larger system, and they gain a better understanding and appreciation for the skills others bring to the team. The department has adopted a six-course core that all majors must take.

“We have learned, for a given program, that students from the other programs can make valuable contributions from a learning and research standpoint,” said John Mott, assistant department head for academics. “Now, students get cross-pollination of ideas and input across all three programs. Each program has become stronger as a result.”

This rethinking of programs has received a boost this year as Gary Bertoline, dean of the College of Technology, challenged the academic departments to delve into their curricula to ensure that they are up-to-date and ready for the fast-paced changes of technology careers. Discussions are still taking place about potential new programs, most of which would take an interdisciplinary approach to prepare students for emerging technology careers.

The departments must also challenge perceptions put forth by 50 years of instruction. The needs of employers and students 20-50 years ago are not necessarily the same needs of today or the future. And the departments can learn from each other about how to approach education and marketing of their students.

“Anywhere there is a need for people with systems thinking — the systems approach to problem-solving — that’s where you’ll see a lot of our students go. Their skills are applicable in many other places,” Athinaryanan said. “These are the people who interface between the technology and the business aspects of it. They are really looked upon as the leaders to manage and lead innovation.”

Ties to industry

One key to ensuring continued demand for Technology graduates is continued partnerships with related industries. For accreditation purposes, most academic departments maintain an advisory council of industry leaders. In addition to offering insights into trends and needs, these leaders also become potential employers.

Throughout the college, input from advisory boards influences the types of classes taught, the approach professors take, and the expectations of academic outcomes. Likewise, each department maintains constant contact with industry professionals, whether they are Purdue alumni or supporters of the University. This helps open doors for students who are looking for insights, internships or full-time employment.

According to Purdue’s Center for Career Opportunities, a recent survey indicated companies plan to hire about 13 percent more new college graduates this year compared to 2012. Many of those companies are focusing a lot of their efforts on Purdue.

Tony Denhart, region manager of university relations for General Electric and a 1989 Technology alum, says Purdue is a prime recruiting area for the corporation.

“There are endless reasons why Purdue continues to be one of GE’s top universities,” he said. “The education Purdue provides is one the of reasons that GE has historically hired more students from Purdue than any other university. The education, coupled with the soft skills, sets Purdue students apart. GE knows that the Purdue students will arrive with the leadership, communication and critical thinking skills needed to compete in a global world.”

Next year, we will celebrate the College of Technology’s 50th year of existence. The yearlong celebration will be more than an anniversary observance, however. It will be a chance to remember the foundations of the college, which stretch to the beginning of Purdue’s existence. And it will be a chance for us to look forward and imagine where the college will be after its next 50 years.

The history of the college is fascinating. Despite higher education’s reputation for creating silos of activity within individual colleges, the first discussions about our existence took place among faculty from across the university. The University Extension Council included senior faculty from several departments, and they “served to bring the engineering technology programs into the University’s mainstream” wrote Calvin Lawshe, the first dean of the School of Technology. He served from 1964 to 1966.

The main mission of the school in 1964 was to offer associate degrees at the regional campuses and in West Lafayette. In fact, the school employed more faculty across the state than it did in West Lafayette. Within the first year, the first faculty council of representatives had approved junior and senior engineering technology curriculum and a four-year professional pilot curriculum. These were the first plans of study to result in a School of Technology bachelor of science degree.

Since that time, the college has worked to meet the ever-changing needs of industry and society. It has gone through program name changes, an upgrade from School to College, four deans, growth to eight locations outside of West Lafayette, and accreditation for all West Lafayette bachelor’s degrees (and some at Statewide). The academic programs now include master’s and doctoral degrees, master’s degrees for the working professional, and millions of dollars annually in sponsored research. And because innovation never stops, it feels like we’re only getting started.

A committee of faculty and staff has laid the groundwork for an event-filled 2013-14 academic year that will educate, inspire, reflect and celebrate. A full list of activities will be released soon. We invite you to join us on campus or online to participate in all or part of the celebration.

Vanessa Buntin and Steven Lincoln
CoT 50th Anniversary Committee co-chairs

(Photo: James Maris, who in 1964 would become the first head of the Department of Aviation Technology in the School of Technology, works with students in the engine lab at the Purdue University Airport. Photo from 1955.)

Award recipients included:

• Academic Advisor Award: Linda Young, Computer and Information Technology
• Customer Service Award: Michelle Arthur, systems engineer for ECN; Beth Helton, administrative assistant for the Office of Advancement
• Leadership Award: Jeff Holewinski, system technologist for Mechanical Engineering Technoogy
• Statewide Excellence Award: Christy Snip, student services coordinator, College of Technology, New Albany
• Staff Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy Award: Fran Misch, administrative assistant for Building Construction Management
• Faculty Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy Award: Brandeis Marshall, assistant professor of computer and information technology
• Outstanding Faculty in Learning: Nathan Mentzer, assistant professor of technology leadership and innovation (other nominees: John Davis, Aviation Technology; Brad Benhart, Building Construction Management; Ray Hassan, Computer Graphics Technology; Ray Hansen, Computer and Information Technology; John Denton, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology; Nancy Denton, Mechanical Engineering Technology)
• Dwyer Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching: Nathan Mentzer, assistant professor of technology leadership and innovation (other nominees: Tim Ropp, Aviation Technology; James Benkins, Building Construction Management; David Whittinghill, Computer Graphics Technology; Eric Matson, Computer and Information Technology; John Denter, Electrical and Computer Engineering Tehcnology; Mark French, Mechanical Engineering Technology)
• Outstanding Faculty in Discovery: Eric Matson, assistant professor of computer and information technology (other nominees: Mary Johnson, Aviation Technology; Yi Jiang, Building Construction Managmement; Mihaela Vorvoreanu, Computer Graphics Technology; Athula Kulatunga, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology; Qingyou Han, Mechanical Engineering Technology; Jenny Daugherty, Technology Leadership and Innovation)
• John P. Lisack Early-Career Engagement Award: Jeffrey Richardson, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering technology
• Outstanding Faculty in Engagement: Daphene Koch, associate professor of building construction management (other nominees: Chien-tsung Lu, Aviation Technology; Clark Cory, Computer Graphics Technology; William Hutzel, Mechanical Engineering Technology; Rodney Vandeveer, Technology Leadership and Innovation)

Faculty promotions:

• To clinical associate professor: Tim Ropp, Aviation Technology
• To associate professor: Bryan Hubbard, Building Construction Management; Todd Kelley, Technology Leadership and Innovation; Eric Matson, Computer and Information Technology; Henry Zhang, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Faculty research poster awards:

• Research category: “Smart Mammogram:  A Smart App for a Second Opinion of the Mammogram”, Raji Sundararajan, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
• Learning category: “Curriculum Development:  Food Supply Chain Management Systems”, Chad Laux, Technology Leadership and Innovation

• 45 years: Robert Grundman, assistant professor of aviation technology
• 35 years: Loretta Lonz, academic advisor in Building Construction Management; Mike Jacob, professor of electrical and computer engineering technology; Kay Solomon, academic advisor in Mechanical Engineering Technology; and Linda Young, academic advisor, in Computer and Information Technology
• 30 years: Bradley Harriger, professor of mechanical engineering technology; James Lane, lab supervisor in Mechanical Engineering Technology; Dennis Short, professor of computer graphics technology; and Steven Widmer, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology.
• 25 years: Thomas Brelage, lab supervisor in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology; Robert Bruce, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology; and Richard Allen, maintenance technician in Aviation Technology.
• 20 years: Maria Drake, data manager; Jeffrey Honchell, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology; Denver Lopp, professor of aviation technology; Kathryne Newton, professor of technology leadership and innovation; Phillip Rawles, associate professor of computer and information technology; and David Stanley, associate professor of aviation technology.
• 15 years: Beverly Davis, associate professor of technology leadership and innovation (Lafayette); Brian Dillman, associate professor of aviation technology; James Jenkins, associate professor of building construction management; Nghia Le, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology (New Albany); Jan Lugowski, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology; Kyle Lutes, associate professor of computer and information technology; Carlos Morales, associate professor of computer graphics technology; Mathias Sutton, associate professor of technology leadership and innovation; Nancy Tucker, department head secretary in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology.
• 10 years: Rene Bailey, Project Lead The Way program assistant; Jacqueline Brown, academic excellence coordinator; Julia Carson, student services secretary, Columbus; Joseph Dues, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology (New Albany); Jeffrey Evans, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology; Debbie Frantz, account clerk; Gene Harding, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology (South Bend); Nathan Hartman, associate professor of computer graphics technology; Douglas Keith, clinical assistant professor of building construction management; Marcus Rogers, professor of computer and information technology; Anthony Smith, associate professor, computer and information technology; Jennifer White, academic advisor in Technology Leadership and Innovation.

The Graduate School Excellence in Teaching Award is the highest honor Purdue gives to a graduate student. Selected students must show excellence in mentoring and teaching undergraduate and/or graduate students, and have proven leadership and accomplishments outside of the classroom in service and outreach as well as scholarly presentations and publications.

College of Technology recipients of the award were:

• Andrew Kennedy, Computer Graphics Technology
• Jennifer Kirschner, Aviation Technology
• Sara Panahkhahi, Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Steven Schaffner, Building Construction and Management
• Kevin Teng, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology

In addition, two students earned the CIE Graduate Teaching Certificate: Cristina Arauco Escobar, Building Construction Management, and David Koelle, Building Construction Management.

Michael Kane, associate professor of computer and information technology, is one of four authors of a new textbook titled Pharmacogenetics, Kinetics, and Dynamics Personalized Medicine. The book is available from Jones and Bartlett Learning.

Alejandra Magana, assistant professor of computer and information technology, and Eric Nauman, director of the College of Engineering Honors Program and associate professor of mechanical engineering, have been awarded a $40,000 grant from MathWorks for a project titled “Integrating Computation into Mechanical Engineering Core.”  They will create undergraduate honors course — open to juniors and seniors in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer and information technology — to the increase their disciplinary computational literacy by developing computational simulation tools for an undergraduate statics course.

Vahid Motevalli, professor of mechanical engineering technology, has been reappointed to the National Academies, Transportation Research Board committee. In January he served as Session Chair for the board’s 92nd annual meeting, which focused on Checkpoint of the Future, an international initiative led by the International Air Transport Association. He serves as a member of the Checkpoint of the Future’s Technology Expert Group, and he was an invited panelist for AVSEC World Conference in March where he discussed “Technologies for the Checkpoint for the Future.” He also was a panel member for mechanical engineering for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program in January.

Karl Perusich, associate professor of electrical engineering technology in South Bend, has been named a reviewer for the IEEE 2012/2013 President’s Change the World competition. The IEEE Presidents’ Change the World Competition recognizes and rewards students who identify a real-world problem and apply engineering, science, computing, and leadership skills to solve it. Perusich evaluated papers on originality, quantitative aspects and qualitative aspects to produce a pool of finalists.

Rodney Vandeveer, professor of technology leadership & innovation, will be the featured instructor for the Society of Broadcast Engineers three-day 2013 Leadership Development Course in August. It is the fourth year he has led the course.

Several College of Technology faculty and staff have written or edited books available in the 2013 catalog of Purdue University Press:

• Understanding the Global Energy Crisis, Eugene D. Coyle and Melissa J. Dark, editors. Coyle, a professor at Dublin Institute of Technology, was a Fulbright Scholar in the college in 2012-13; Dark is the Furnas Professor of Technology in the Department of Computer and Information Technology.
• Manufacturing Facilities Design and Material Handling, fifth edition, Matthew P. Stephens, professor of technology leadership & innovation, co-editor
• Methods of IT Project Management, second edition, Jeffrey L. Brewer and Kevin C. Dittman, both associate professors of computer and information technology
• Project and Program Management, A Competency-Based Approach, second edition, Mitchell L. Springer, executive director for operations and strategic initiatives and of the Center for Professional Studies in Technology and Research
• Construction Site Planning and Logistical Operations, Site-Focused Management for Builders, Randy R. Rapp, associate professor, and Bradley L. Benhart, clinical assistant professor, both in the Department of Building Construction Management, editors

Faculty in the news:

• Jeffrey Griffin, director of the College of Technology at Kokomo, talks about how his location will help education new Chrysler employees in Kokomo with Fox 59 news.
• Robert Moser, contenting lecturer of aviation technology, and the Department of Aviation Technology’s simulatetor center was featured in a Purdue feature titled “Did you Know?: Holleman-Niswonger Simulator Center.”
• Vahid Motevalli, professor of mechanical engineering technology, talks about the Hoosier Heavy Hybrid for a story posted by the College of Engineering.
• Motevalli was also quoted in the Feb. 26 edition of Air Cargo World in a story about a diamond heist in the Brussels Airport.

Webinar #1: Wednesday, April 3, 4:00 p.m. (EDT) – 100% Online Degrees

• Aviation Management
• Information Technology Project Management

Webinar #2: Monday, April 8, 5:00 p.m. (EDT) – Building Construction Management

Webinar #3: Wednesday, April 24, 4:00 p.m. (EDT) – Weekend Master’s Degrees

• Industrial Technology
• Leadership
• Industrial Distribution
• Biometrics (new)

Each webinar should last less than an hour. Join the webinar.

Four of the programs follow the hybrid weekend/distance format, which includes three weekends a semester on campus. These programs can be completed in 22 months (four semesters). This format provides face-to-face contact with faculty, networking with fellow students, and distance learning tools between campus weekends. Programs include:

• Leadership: develop skills that fit any leadership position in this human capital-based program.
• Industrial Technology: develop leadership, technology and business skills for industry in this quantitative-based program.
• Biometrics: focus on the growing use of biometrics and identity management.
• Industrial Distribution for Executives: focus on tools needed by industrial distribution executives in business strategy and leadership.

Two programs are offered entirely online and at your own pace (though it is recommended they be completed in 2-5 years). They offer a high degree of flexibility, no travel to campus and access anywhere you are. Programs include:

• Aviation Management: learn management and leadership skills for positions within aviation-related fields.
• IT Project Management: learn detailed project management skills specifically for information technology professional.

The Building Construction Management (BCM) program is an online program structured to meet weekly. Classes are delivered live via Adobe connect to provide live interface with faculty and fellow students. The program can be complted in 22 months, and a four-day on-campus workshop takes place at the start of each fall semester.

• Building Construction Management: build leadership and management skills in construction management.

For more information on each of the programs, visit the ProSTAR web site.

Free webinars about the fall 2013 programs will be offered in the coming months. You can request to be notified by emailing ProSTAR@purdue.edu or calling  (888) 801-6266 (toll-free)

On November 10, 2012, WICM hosted its annual community service project, Girl Scout Day. During this day about 80 local Girl Scouts, in the 4th and 5th grade range, had the opportunity to learn not only about careers in construction, but also about several fields of construction. The girls learned how to patch drywall, used an electronic meter to compare energy efficient light-bulbs, operated and signaled to the crane in the construction lab and learned about surveying with a robotic total station.

After a full day of fun and learning, the girls were able to get a Participation Patch for their Girl Scout vests.

This coming semester WICM will be helping 6th-8th grade Girl Scouts make jewelry hangers with wood materials to earn their Wood Working badge.

If you are interested in helping WICM continue to promote careers for women in the construction industry, please email them.