June 2005
Friends of the College of Engineering,
One of the most rewarding jobs I have as Dean is to shake the hands of our graduates as they cross the stage at the Greek Theater to receive their degrees. Two weeks ago on a hot, sunny Saturday morning we celebrated the 1,269 Berkeley Engineers who earned their B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees this past year. Besides being cheered on by family and friends and capping their success at Berkeley that day, our grads heard from one of our most well known and distinguished alums, Dr. Eric Schmidt (M.S.'79, Ph.D.'82 EECS), the CEO of Google.
Eric began his talk on Technology, Leadership and Passion by acknowledging the "awesome debt I owe to Berkeley," recounting that almost everything he has accomplished in the 29 years since he left Berkeley is derived from what he learned on our campus. Eric urged our new graduates to take risks, make mistakes, and look to one another for support:
"When you think of what you are going to do, when you take the wonderful skills that you have and this amazing platform your predecessors have built for you, do it in the context of what is most essentially human, the good things about humanity, things that matter. Devote yourself to making the world a very, very much better place. You will be able to do it."
I truly believe that our students leave Berkeley equipped to undertake the challenges that Eric has set for them. They are well-prepared to take risks and they are ready to become leaders who will leave our world a better place.
This year's senior class showed leadership in many ways, not the least of which was the senior class campaign. Five years ago now, when I became dean, I noted that only 18% of our senior class contributed to the class gift. This year, through the efforts of our students, staff, and generous matching challenge grants (one from fellow Berkeley Engineer Bob Sanderson '66, '70), 44% of our seniors made a gift to the college, for a record-breaking total of $33,132. I was extremely proud to receive the check at commencement and when I spoke with one of our seniors afterwards, she told me that she wanted to give back so future students would have the unique educational and research opportunities that she had.
As we reach year end on June 30, I encourage you to follow the lead of our seniors and continue to build that 'amazing platform' that is Berkeley Engineering, by making a gift to our Annual Fund.
Have a great summer. Go Bears! /rich
A. Richard Newton
Dean, College of Engineering and
the Roy W. Carlson Professor of Engineering
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