A Natural Role

ASEE positions itself to become the voice for engineering in America. BY RONALD E. BARR

AS I WRITE MY last letter for Prism, I reflect on the tremendous privilege it has been to serve as ASEE president this past year. I have gone many places and met many fine people who are all immensely dedicated to our common goals. During my travels across the country, I have heard people express concern that America's global superiority in engineering and technology is in danger. The effects of globalization on engineering, both in education and practice, are clearly present and cannot be ignored.

Numerous national reports that have surfaced in the past two years suggest our nation must aggressively reinvest in science, engineering and technology to continue our global competitiveness. One report in particular, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm," has gained traction in the inner circles of the federal government. The report calls for national reinvestment in four basic areas: improving K-12 science and math education; increased basic research in the physical sciences; immigration laws that attract the best and brightest; and tax credits for corporate research and development in basic science and engineering.

The ASEE Board met in January in San Antonio for a full day of longrange planning. With help from our good friends at Hewlett-Packard, a professional facilitator was brought in to conduct the planning session. This stimulating event helped us focus on strategies that not only improve ASEE but also address the national imperative to vigorously promote engineering and technology in America. That same weekend, the ASEE Board unanimously endorsed the "Gathering Storm" report. On Feb. 14, ASEE's Engineering Deans Council met at the National Academies building in Washington, D.C., to discuss and support key legislative efforts aimed at improving American competitiveness in science and technology. The next day, bolstered by addresses from secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Lamar Alexander (RTenn.), the engineering deans visited their own congressional leaders to promote science and technology legislation.

Two weeks later, ASEE's Engineering Research Council (ERC) met in Crystal City, Va., outside Washington, to hear about new researchfunding opportunities in the physical sciences and engineering. Many of the talks from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and other federal agencies focused on the need for America to invest more in research. At this ERC forum, I was particularly struck by one comment made by an NSF program director. When asked what national group speaks for engineering in America, he suggested that "ASEE might be in the best position" to wear that leadership mantle.

ASEE is now a key participant in the Innovation and Competitiveness Coalition, whose members include industry, academia and nonprofit organizations in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors (STEM). The Innovation Coalition is a group committed to maintaining U.S. global leadership in innovation, strengthening American competitiveness, improving the education of Americans in the STEM areas and expanding the technological literacy of the American public.

As ASEE increases its strategic planning, we must ask ourselves: How can ASEE play a leadership role in support of national engineering priorities? With over 45 divisions spanning all engineering disciplines and special interest groups, ASEE has the breadth to speak for engineering. Our new K-12 Center and accompanying initiatives can help plant science and engineering seeds in the nation's youth and reach out to parents and the public. The ASEE Corporate Member Council provides opportunities to unite with industry to support American competitiveness issues, such as the "Gathering Storm" report. Yet, we must do more to promote a positive engineering image in the U.S. media-through newspaper editorials, with specialty magazines and video downloads, on public radio and in television interviews.

Finally, might we also speak for engineering education as a basic foundational value for America? Engineering education imparts to the graduate a host of analytical, communication and social skills that are needed to solve the many complex problems the nation faces. Can we think of unleashing a new generation of citizens in America with these engineering skills? As ASEE accepts this leadership role, it is up to all of us to be that "voice" for engineering in America, no matter how large or small the stage.

ASEE Board of Directors 2006 Election Results

ASEE members elected JAMES L. MELSA as ASEE president-elect for 2006-2007. Melsa is dean emeritus of the College of Engineering at Iowa State. He will assume the position of ASEE president-elect at the 2006 Annual Conference and become president the following year.

Full election results for all ASEE offices are as follows:

President-Elect:

James L. Melsa (534 votes)