In his annual address to the college, Dean Jim Melsa said the College of Engineering must make changes to continue its success.

Melsa gave his convocation address Thursday afternoon to about 75 members of the engineering faculty and alumni in Room 207 of Marston Hall.

The speech focused on Melsa’s vision for the college. He said the College of Engineering is doing well in many areas but there needs to be some changes made in the program to adapt to the rapidly changing times and technology.

“This department has a rich history of responding to human needs,” Melsa said.

One plan in the works is closer cooperation with students so they are better able to deal with technological advances, changes in the marketplace and what their customers want.

“We tend to resist change but cause a lot of it. From now on we are not going to do business as usual,” Melsa said. “If it isn’t broken, improve it – break it if necessary – but improve it.”

In pursuit of that goal, the college is putting some changes into effect which will alter the focus of engineering classes from teacher to student and from competitive to cooperative.

Melsa said these changes are necessary to help students succeed in a workplace that is more level, internationally focused and more cooperative.

“It is insane to keep on doing the same thing and expect different results,” Melsa said.

The department needs to be more “flexible, fluid, empowering and customer oriented” to keep up with new business trends, Melsa said. “We need to embrace diversity and global perspectives.”

Before the speech, the department gave new awards to five faculty members:

*Chip Comstock, electrical and computer engineering, and James Bolluyt, engineering fundamentals and multi-disciplinary design, were named superior engineering teachers.

*David Stephenson, electrical and computer engineering, was named the superior engineering advisor.

*Jennifer Davidson, of electrical and computer engineering, was recognized as the young engineering faculty researcher.

*John LaMont, electrical and computer engineering, was recognized for superior engineering extension work.