Batten College of Engineering Celebrates Its Golden Anniversary

The first 50 years of engineering education at Old Dominion University were celebrated during a gala in Virginia Beach on Friday, May 17.

Oktay Baysal, dean of the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, welcomed the gathering to the Distinguished Honors Celebration, which was also marked by the presentation of the college's annual community awards.

From modest roots, the college has grown into one of the most respected institutions of engineering education in the state, boasting Navy admirals, NASA administrators, entrepreneurs and inventors among its graduates.

"An anniversary is a time to pause and reflect on our identity and who we are," Baysal said, during the event at the Westin Town Center. "Our history provides the outpost from which to explore new opportunities and conquer new fields - the vantage point from which new knowledge is sought."

Baysal said it's important for the college to reflect on its accomplishments, but also "to blaze new trails into the future" by creating innovative curricula, such as the first undergraduate program in modeling and simulation engineering in the country.

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