As I near the completion of my first year as dean of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, I am even more aware of the potential that Auburn Engineering holds in impacting the world. While we are in the business of educating students, what we do here is more important than just that. We are producing engineers who will make contributions far beyond these walls, and our role is to equip these students not only to meet the changing needs of the world in which we live, but to anticipate them.

We are committed to education, research and service that prepare our graduates for productive careers — careers that empower them to contribute to the global workforce in ways that truly benefit our society. As you read these pages, you will see examples of Auburn engineers who are making a difference. Some of them are current students who are sharing their passion for learning or continuing their education in order to pursue research that translates into meaningful applications. Some are alumni who are putting their Auburn Engineering degree to use beyond our borders. All of them share a common experience. They began their engineering journey at Auburn.

I believe it is our collective responsibility to provide a challenging, relevant and rewarding engineering educational experience to our students. We accomplish this because of the high caliber and dedication of our faculty. We are fortunate to have faculty members who exemplify excellence and innovation, and who engage in research that truly matters. You will see in this issue some of the hallmarks of their achievements, from their role in keeping our academic programs at the highest level to their leading-edge research, as well as the national recognition they have received for contributions to the field of engineering.

I am excited about the work that we will continue to do together. We know what lies behind us ­— more than a hundred years of excellence in engineering education. And now, we see what lies before us, continuing our tradition in creative ways that move us to the frontier of engineering education. I am proud to be a part of it.

Dean Christopher B. Roberts