ECU’s Engineering program at capacity

(July 14, 2004)   —   The new engineering program at East Carolina University is filled for the fall semester.

Thirty-nine students will begin studies this fall as part of the class of 2008. With an average SAT score of more than 1140, the students were in the top 25 percent of their high school graduation class.

“We are pleased to begin this new program with such a high caliber group of students and are confident our program will prepare graduates to thrive in today’s engineering fields,” said Paul Kauffmann, chairman of the Department of Industrial Technology.

The University of North Carolina Board of Governors in March approved the new bachelor’s degree in general engineering with a concentration in systems engineering. It will be the first engineering program in North Carolina east of Interstate 95 and the only systems engineering in the state.

When the program was conceived, enrollment was capped at 30 students for the first class, but interest and talent have pushed that number up.

“The capacity enrollment is an excellent indication of support and enthusiasm for the program,” said Ralph Rogers, dean of the College of Technology and Computer Science. “The goal is to eventually expand the program to admit about 100 new students each year.”

Objectives of the program include economic development support, the education of students in general and emerging engineering fields, and the attraction, retention and graduation of students, especially Eastern North Carolina students, including women and underrepresented minorities.

The class of 2008 includes five minorities and seven women. Thirty-five of the students are from North Carolina.