The highlight of the day was the surprise announcement of an $8 million gift from BOC-member Ken Klein (BSME ’82), and another $2 million gift to fund a chair to honor Leonard Silverman, the Viterbi School’s longest serving dean.

 Klein, who earned a dual B.S. degree in biomedical and electrical engineering in 1982, is president, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Wind River, a global leader in device software optimization. His gift will fund a new institute devoted to undergraduate engineering student life including student government, engineering club activities, competitions, social, leadership and career-oriented programs, and an array of new programs and services yet to be designed.

 

“The timing could not be better,” said Dean Yannis Yortsos. “With our brand new Ronald Tutor Hall, we have created a vibrant, bustling hub for student life. Now, during our centennial celebration, we begin phase two, to design an institute that will provide students with all of the support services, social and cultural outlets, and career counseling they need to make their years at USC meaningful, productive and successful. I am deeply grateful to Ken.”

 

The newly endowed Leonard Silverman Chair is being funded by the estate of Arthur Settle, an electrical engineering alumnus, in memory of his aunt, Mary Zell and will be awarded to faculty in the Department of Electrical Engineering who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in research and teaching.

 

“Establishment of the new Leonard Silverman Chair, especially during our centennial anniversary, is a fitting tribute to the Viterbi School’s most enduring dean,” said Yortsos. “Dean Silverman provided strategic leadership during a very challenging time of growth and change in the school and in the world.”

Chairman Dwight J. Baum welcomed the Board of Councilors (BOC) who received a detailed update of the state of the USC Viterbi School from Dean Yortsos and a report on the Fundraising Initiative from Christopher Stoy, chief executive officer of external relations.

Sol Golomb, university professor and professor of electrical engineering, gave a presentation on the past 100 years of USC engineering and Maja Mataric, associate professor of computer science tackled the next 100 years with a description of the rapid strides being made in robotics technology.

Peter Beerel, associate professor of electrical engineering, reported on  the new education programs of Stevens Institute of Technology Commercialization (SITeC) while Cauligi S. Raghavendra, senior associate dean for academic affairs described “The Engineer of 2020,” a report of the National Academy of Engineering.

Three Viterbi School students — Nick Balair, a biomedical engineering senior, Irene Simpson, a mechanical engineering senior and Zenzile Brooks, a civil engineering junior with a minor in theater —wowed the BOC with sharp, articulate and often surprising observations on engineering education and the future for engineers. The student’s presentations triggered a lively discussion by BOC members on teaching the next generation of engineers to be “leadership engineers.”