Catching Up with Jim Baum
As chairman of the School’s Board of Councilors, Dwight J. “Jim” Baum has a unique perspectiveabout everything USC and all things Viterbi. He is not an alumnus but a parent who early-onbecame very involved in his kids’ engineering education at USC. Now as he enters his third year as chairman and the School enters its second century, USC Viterbi Engineer sat down with Jim to discuss how the School has changed over time, and how we are poised for future explorations.
Q: Now that you have been chair of the BoC for two years, (and an important year— the School’s 100th), what are your thoughts about where the Viterbi School is now and where it is headed?
It definitely has been an exciting year. When Dean Nikias first recruited me for the chairmanship we didn’t know he would soon be tapped for the Provost position. Fortunately we had on the faculty someone who was ready and able to pick up the reins on short notice. What could have been a rough transition year went smoother than I could have hoped, and the momentum that Max had started just grew exponentially under Yannis.We have a very rich past but thanks to the assets and foundations in place the future will be even better. The real strength of the School is its ability to change and grow to the needs of our profession. It is that ability that has put us on top and will keep us there.
Q: How do you vew your role on the Board of Councilors?
I feel strongly that the School has several distinct stake holders — students, faculty, alumni, industry and society as a whole. Thus I see my job as representing the BoC both in conversations with the administration and faculty, and at the many gatherings and presentations we have during the year. I encourage the board members and any other interested parties to use me as a conduit and I certainly have found the administration more than receptive.
Q: What do you personally hope to accomplish as chair of the BoC? What would you like to see this important group do for the School?
The BoC has an unbelievable wealth of expertise and enthusiasm. If I can just increase a little bit the use of these assets in the evolution of the School I will have something to point at with pride.
The board is certainly a great role model for engineering students. Many board members have expressed an interest in mentoring students and we certainly would like to give more feedback to the School as to what works from the undergraduate educational experience once the student gets into industry. And while many board members have been in the forefront of contributing the funds needed to build this School, we certainly can do more, both on the personal level and also in the recruitment of outside funds.
Q: What makes Viterbi attractive for donors and supporters like you? Why get involved both financially and with your time and efforts?
First of all this is a fun place to be around! The enthusiasm of the students, the faculty and the staff are contagious. It makes any contribution of time or money seem so worth it. In most of the institutions I have been involved with, the donor’s role is simply to write the check. At the Viterbi School it is much more of a partnership between the donor and the School. As a result it is a more rewarding experience for the donor.
Q: Do you think an engineering education is a foundation that can serve someone in almost any other field?
There is no question in my mind that an undergraduate engineering education is the best possible base for any endeavor. The discipline, hard work, scientific method reasoning, creative approaches to problem solving, team projects and working with others are all tools you learn in engineering school that are directly related to superior performance in any field. And no one teaches these better than a good engineering school like Viterbi.
Q: What makes Viterbi a destination for top-notch students?
It’s a great campus with terrific students and caring faculty and staff. The ability to design an individual program without the strict constraints prevalent at so many institutions has got to intrigue the brightest kids. Also, the students are supported, we have studentoriented facilities and university programs, like the Arts and Humanities Initiative, all contribute to an unbelievable environment suited for a truly exceptional student.
Q: What are your opinions about undergraduate education at our School?
This is a subject dear and close to my heart. I really got interested earlier I really got interested in USC engineering because of feedback from my kids when they were here. And I will tell you a lot of that feedback was not always good. I think we have come a long way in a few short years. The math program is now much more responsive to the needs of our students, we are working hard to improve the quality of life for the undergrads, and the KIUEL project is so unique we are only starting to understand where it will take us. The entire attitude of the School has really changed regarding the importance of the undergraduate experience. Obviously our success in attracting the best of the best and retaining them is proof positive that we are doing something very right.
Q: How do think your gift for the Baum Student Center has enhanced the undergraduate experience at the Viterbi School?
This is one best answered by the students themselves. However, it is rewarding to see hardly an empty seat when I walk by. Thanks to Ron Tutor’s wonderful building, the impact of our gift was greatly multiplied. It certainly has brought the students closer together and given them a sense of belonging to a group at engineering.
Q: What kinds of things do you hope to accomplish with our new dean, Yannis Yortsos?
First of all let me say how happy I was when Yannis was named permanent dean. The dean has made eloquently clear his priorities both in his appearance before the selection board and in his communications since his selection. I support them fully and stand ready to help him realize these goals in whatever way he thinks will help. I will of course continue to work on my pet concerns of undergraduate life and maintaining the momentum of our gifting program. Hopefully the first years of the second century of the School will be as defining as the first 100.
Q: Even though you are a Cornell grad, do you consider yourself a Trojan now? And what does that mean to you?
From the first time my wife Judy and I attended a Trojan event we felt at home. Trojans are the most natural, hospitable and truly friendly group I have ever met. You made us want to be a part of this family. This also means I get to cheer for a real football team — something very foreign to an Ivy Leaguer! But more than that it means we are a part of a real winning team — a university that is really making a difference for its students, its community and our nation.
