SMU receives $2 million to endow chair in engineering education

Texas Instruments Foundation, Dallas, has given Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas, $2 million to endow a distinguished chair in engineering education, and the holder also will serve as director of the school’s Caruth Institute of Engineering Education.

SMU has chosen U.S. Naval Academy faculty member and former Clinton administration subcabinet member, Dr. Delores M. Etter, to fill the post.

Etter, who will also occupy the Texas Instruments Distinguished Chair in Engineering Education, has served as assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition, and as deputy undersecretary of defense for science and technology. Etter is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the highest recognition that can be bestowed upon an engineer in this country.

“The Caruth Institute is dedicated to increasing the number and diversity of students who graduate from U.S. high schools with both the enthusiasm and knowledge to pursue the engineering careers that are necessary for the U.S. to compete in a global economy,” said Geoffrey Orsak,dean of the SMU School of Engineering.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchisonhelped SMU establish what is now the Caruth Institute for Engineering Education in 2002 through a federal grant. Texas Instruments has worked with the institute since then, sponsoring a program for math and science teachers, a gender parity program and an “engineer for a day” program for middle school students.

“These K-12 and early college programs will be greatly expanded within the Caruth Institute for Engineering Education, endowed in October with a $10.1 million gift from the W.W. Caruth Foundation at Communities Foundation of Texas,” SMU president R. GeraldTurner said.

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