NEWS

from Central Connecticut State University
Honored as a "Leadership Institution" by the Association of American Colleges & Universities

Media contact: Peter Kilduff, Director of University Relations
(860) 832-1791; Kilduff@ccsu.edu


CCSU’s newly renamed School of Engineering and Technology reflects Connecticut’s growing technology-based economy
 

NEW BRITAIN – August 17, 2007 – Some 30 years ago, the name of Central Connecticut State University's School of Technology reflected its state of the art newness.

 Now, the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System has approved a new name -- the School of Engineering and Technology (SE&T) -- that is more appropriate to the School’s growth in the 21st century.

According to Lawrence D. McHugh, Chair of the Board of Trustees:  “The School’s new name reflects the significant growth in students and scholarship in the field of engineering at Central as well as the University’s strong commitment to this cutting-edge field.  The Board is well aware of the critical importance that Connecticut’s businesses place on high caliber engineering education and the impact these graduates can have on our economy.”

Dr. David G. Carter, Sr., Chancellor of the Connecticut State University System, added:  “The new name is not a new direction, but recognition of reality. Central’s engineering program is of the highest caliber, and the connections between engineering and technology continue to grow in the digital age.  The Central Connecticut State University School of Engineering and Technology aptly describes one of the state’s great education assets.”

“Initially, the School housed programs in industrial arts and vocational and technical education,” noted CCSU’s President, Dr. Jack Miller.  “Since its approval 30 years ago, the School has undergone considerable transformations so that it responds to the needs created by a state and global economy that uses advances in scientific knowledge to solve problems and create new products. Today, it houses programs ranging from mechanical engineering and engineering technology to computer electronics and graphics technology, biomolecular sciences, manufacturing and construction management and technology and engineering education.”

According to Dr. Z.B. Kremens, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, “The engineering aspect of the School’s mission results from a perfectly executed strategic plan, which was developed at the beginning of this decade.  Excellent faculty and strong support for the engineering program from the university's administration was crucial at the implementation level and helped us achieved modernization levels that enable CCSU to keep pace with other schools that offer these academic disciplines in state universities around the country.”

Since its creation in October 1976, the School has evolved and expanded its programs to respond to the rapidly changing demands of an increasingly technology based economy in Connecticut. The latest development is creation of a Bachelor of Science degree program in Mechanical Engineering with specializations in aerospace and manufacturing.  Additionally, the School has expanded its engineering technology programs and adapted the technology education program to embrace technology and engineering education.

Administratively, CCSU’s School of Engineering and Technology has created an Engineering Department that houses the Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering program and four engineering technology programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

As Dean Kremens points out:  “The school is adding to the expertise of its mechanical engineering faculty by hiring five additional engineering members at the doctoral level over a five-year period.  Further, an infusion of nearly half a million dollars of equipment has been made to support the new mechanical engineering laboratories, which have been extensively reconstructed and renovated.

“Our excellent and experienced faculty members have made possible our progress in the engineering disciplines.  They know that there are many talented students in the central Connecticut region who cannot afford to enroll in ‘big’ universities and pay much higher tuition.  CCSU is the perfect option for them and we are reaching out to them,” Kremens said.

“As a state university we need to respond to Connecticut’s workforce demand and it is no secret that the state has twice as many openings for engineers than the total number of all engineering graduates from both public and private institutions. Our engineering program directly responds to the state needs and will continue to do so for decades to come,” the Dean said.

He also noted that CCSU’s School of Engineering and Technology enrolled 80 students enrolled in the engineering program. As with other programs in the School, the new program will seek professional accreditation from the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).  As a federation of 28 professional and technical societies, ABET Inc. is the recognized accrediting body for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology. 

 

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