As Illinois State University gets ready to launch its new College of Engineering, excitement is in the air. President Aondover Tarhule sees this moment as a defining one for the university’s future. “We are writing an important chapter in our history,” he said, emphasizing the opportunities this program will create for students.
Leading this initiative is Dean Thomas Keyser, who has hit the ground running. He believes that welcoming over 150 students from more than 1,200 applicants marks an incredible start. “I can’t wait for the first day of class,” Keyser shared, highlighting his eagerness to greet the new students.
Keyser and his team have worked tirelessly to develop a robust curriculum and establish safety protocols for labs. Their dedication has set a solid foundation for this new college. Founding faculty members, Dr. Vijay Devabhaktuni and Dr. Nesrin Ozalp, have also played crucial roles in creating the academic framework. “Their work has been invaluable,” Keyser noted.
A significant aspect of the college’s growth is the ongoing $41.5 million transformation of the former COUNTRY Financial office into a state-of-the-art facility. This project is a shift from an initial plan to renovate existing buildings, prompted by rising costs. While the upgraded facility won’t be ready until fall 2026, classes will begin in Williams Hall on the Normal campus.
Illinois State is embarking on this project without state funding, prompting a need for entrepreneurial thinking. “We’ve exceeded our fundraising goals,” Tarhule remarked, acknowledging the impressive partnerships forged by Dean Keyser’s team despite not having alumni support yet.
Keyser previously led the College of Engineering, Technology, and Management at the Oregon Institute of Technology. He found the opportunity at Illinois State too exciting to pass up. “Building something from scratch is a rare chance,” he said, appreciating the enthusiasm he sensed from the university leadership during his visit.
Branden Delk, appointed as the director of student success, is focused on recruiting and keeping students engaged. “Retention is critical,” he explained, believing that a supportive community will help foster successful educational experiences. Delk also stressed the importance of diversifying the field of engineering, stating that access and opportunities need to reach all communities.
Among the inaugural students is Jamarion Bardwell from Springfield. He’s thrilled to be part of the first cohort and sees it as a chance to shape the program’s future. “It feels empowering to bring diversity into engineering,” Bardwell said, expressing pride in being part of this important shift.
As Tarhule noted, this new college is a significant milestone for Illinois State. “This is the first new college in over 50 years,” he said, reinforcing the transformative potential of this initiative. With strong leadership and a dedicated team, the College of Engineering is poised to make a lasting impact on the university and its students.
In terms of workforce development, a report from the Chicago Tribune emphasized that Illinois faces a growing demand for engineers. Universities are crucial in addressing this gap, and the new college aims to fill that need by attracting new students to Illinois State.
With the start of classes on the horizon, the excitement around the College of Engineering is palpable. Students, faculty, and administration are all eager to embark on this remarkable journey together.
