Contact: Lisa Reyes
Phone: +1-312-559-3325
E-Mail: lreyes@iec.org
Chicago - October 27, 2005 - Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) today announced the latest HKN Eminent Member induction of University of Southern California (USC) President, Dr. Steven Sample, in which HKN will bestow the honor this October 31 at a luncheon on the university campus.
The Eminent Member is the highest membership classification of Eta Kappa Nu, the national honor society for electrical and computer engineering. It is conferred by the Board of Governors upon the few whose attainments and contributions to society through leadership in engineering have resulted in significant benefits to humankind.
HKN Executive Director, Robert M. Janowiak said, "Steve Sample epitomizes the best in academic leadership especially in further developing USC's School of Engineering to a level of national preeminence. His presidential tenure has resulted in substantially increased research programs."
Under the leadership of Dr. Sample, USC conducted the most successful fundraising campaign in the history of higher education raising nearly $3 billion. Spurred by this momentum, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering raised $200 million in the first half of a seven-year fundraising initiative. Investing $150 million annually in research expenditures, the school ranks at or near the top in research funding per tenure-track faculty member. The school's graduate program consistently ranks in the top 10 (top 5 among private schools) in U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Dr. Sample became the 10th president of USC in March of 1991. The university's first holder of the Robert C. Packard President's Chair, Dr. Sample is also an electrical engineer, a musician, an outdoorsman, a best-selling author, and an inventor. In February of 1998, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his contributions to consumer electronics and leadership in interdisciplinary research and education. Dr. Sample has also contributed to countless journal articles and published numerous papers in science and engineering and higher education.
Dr. Sample earned B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering form the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1962, 1963, and 1965, respectively. He has received honorary doctorates from the University of Notre Dame (2005), Northeastern University (2004), the University of Nebraska (1995), Purdue University (1994), Hebrew Union College (1994), the University of Sheffield, England (1991), and Canisius College, Buffalo (1989). Dr. Sample has also received a number of awards from civic organizations and educational institutions, including the Chancellor Charles P. Norton Medal from SUNY Buffalo, a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois, and the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice.
The Upsilon Chapter of USC and Eta Kappa Nu welcome all local and interested alumni to attend the induction.
Eta Kappa Nu is a 100-year-old honor society for electrical and computer engineering students and professionals. With a history of more than 200,000 members and 200 university chapters, HKN recognizes excellence in academic accomplishments, leadership, outstanding character, and service.
For more information, please contact lreyes@iec.org or +1-312-559-3325 or visit www.hkn.org.