Dean Delivers Keynote Address at NASA Langley Program

Oktay Baysal, dean of the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, gave the keynote address at a daylong session for middle school counselors, aimed at getting more students interested in engineering studies.

The "Is There an Engineer Inside of You" Engineering Workshop for Counselors was hosted by NASA Langley Research Center, in an effort to find and nurture the next generation of aspiring student and professional engineers. ODU, one of the event's co-sponsors, participated in breakout sessions and provided an exhibit promoting ODU as a hands-on, career-focused engineering program close to home.

In total, 125 participants attended the session, including 87 middle school counselors.

Baysal, a professor and Eminent Scholar in aerospace engineering who came to ODU in 1982, has done significant research at NASA Langley Research Center throughout his career, and is a past recipient of the NASA Public Service Medal. In his remarks to the middle school counselors, he attempted to answer the question, "Why does engineering matter?"

After describing engineering in his own words, Baysal spoke about what an engineer does, and emphasized ODU's commitment to STEM education, which he said extends across every college at the university.

"Engineers use their imagination and analytical skills to invent, design, build things that matter," Baysal said. "They are team players with independent minds, who change the world by dreaming up creative, practical solutions."

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