October 31, 2005
[Dr. Steven Sample receives the award from Mr. Martersteck, who hands the framed document to Dr. Sample and then asks him to offer remarks.]
Thank you, Mr. Martersteck, for those kind words.
I'm honored to receive this award from an organization I so deeply admire.
- As an honor society, Eta Kappa Nu has been setting the standard for engineering excellence since 1904.
- It's wonderful to be with my fellow Eta Kappa Nu members. And I'd like to thank Dean Yortsos-an outstanding leader and chemical engineer-for hosting this special occasion.
That Eta Kappa Nu had its roots at my alma mater-the University of Illinois-makes this award especially meaningful.
I'm humbled to be inducted into eminent membership in Eta Kappa Nu.
- The distinguished list of eminent members includes the two engineers with USC connections that Mr. Rothwell introduced a few moments ago-USC trustee Mal Currie and USC alumnus Marcus Dodson.
- I'd like to take this time to personally salute these two extraordinarily talented individuals. They are role models as engineers and as leaders.
I'd like to talk a bit about being an engineer and a leader.
I'm very proud to be a tenured professor in the top-ranked USC Viterbi School of Engineering.
- I've taught courses on electromagnetic theory in past years at USC.
- As some of you may know, I now teach a non-engineering course to undergraduates that is called "The Art and Adventure of Leadership."
I tell my students in the leadership class-many of whom aren't engineering majors-that the study and practice of engineering can make a person a better leader.
- I know that being an engineer has made me a better university president.
My decision to become an engineer is among the best choices I have ever made.
- What I love about engineering is that it cultivates skillful judgment and analysis-knowing when to stop analysis and implement an imperfect (and perhaps not completely safe) solution.
- Real engineers make judgments based on inadequate information and imperfect designs.
What I also love about engineering is that we as engineers are in the business of solving problems and expanding human potential.
- I know that the analytical skills and the desire to solve problems that I've cultivated as an engineer have certainly made me a better university president.
- By the way, as recently as 30 or 40 years ago, the doors were closed to engineers who might have aspired to be president of a comprehensive university.
It's exciting to me that premier research universities such as USC are in the vanguard of pursuing solutions to some of society's most pressing problems.
- It is outstanding leaders, advisors, alumni, professors, and students such as you who are enhancing not only the stature of our engineering profession but also USC's stature as an academic and research powerhouse.
What are some of the problems that USC and that we as electrical and computer engineers can solve?
- We can find ways to make people safer, communication faster, infrastructures stronger, and computer systems more secure.
- We can also explore ways to use robots, energy, biomedical devices, nanotechnology, and multimedia tools to enhance the health, education, and well-being of people around the world.
I would encourage you students here today to pursue leadership positions in industry, in your profession, and in academe.
- As engineers, you have the problem-solving skills that will help you take the lead in discovering ways to enhance lives and the well-being of mankind.
Students, I hope that your experiences as engineers-and as leaders if you choose that path-are as rewarding as mine have been for me.
- I hope you fulfill your greatest dreams.
- This award represents a dream come true for me.