The Insignia of the College of Engineering

The insignia consists of a picture of the analemma surrounded by two color-coded values: "Traditional" and "Contemporary."

The analemma is a sun-clock that sits in the engineering quadrangle. It was a gift which was designed by two chemical engineering students from the class of 1955. The analemma weighs thirty-five pounds due to the fact that it is hand-made almost entirely of brass. Unlike most sundials, this instrument tells time within one minute's accuracy. Throughout its years on the quad, the analemma was stolen and vandalized to the point that in 1968 all of the instrument's moving parts disappeared. The clock was irreparable because the men who designed the clock had graduated and left nothing behind. The college did not have any blueprints or any sketches to work from. However, eventually they did track down the two men and in July of 1970, the new sundial was mounted on its pedestal with a plaque next to it reading, "There is a Time for Those Who Pass."

The "Traditional Values" of Education/Industry, Theory/Practice, Knowledge/Experience derive from the actual writings and philosophy of Dean Herman Schneider and represent the foundation supporting the College of Engineering's entire pedagogy and co-op structure. The "Contemporary Values" of Leadership/Teamwork, and Creativity/Productivity derive from 1999 when then-Dean Stephen T. Kowel thought it important to integrate the traditional values embraced by Dean Herman Schneider with more contemporary values required by today's leading engineering and scientific institutions. Kowel explained: "We need to provide opportunities for students to work together on realistic problems so that they are accomplished collaborators and effective leaders. Part of leadership involves thinking 'outside the box .' Thus creativity leads to productivity - now recognized as the keystone in advancing our standard of living. As the CoE prepares for the new ABET standards emphasizing student learning and career outcomes over program elements and teaching activity, we will be challenged to inculcate the new paradigm into every learning experience - on Campus and in professional practice."

By definition, these "Contemporary Values" are more sensitive to contingent circumstances in the technology marketplace, such as the current needs of engineering employers and research institutions. Yet, they are not without precedent in the philosophy of Dean Schneider who had the highest regard for initiative, creativity, and leadership. Said Schneider, "For God's sake give me the young man who has brains enough to make a fool of himself."

Dean Schneider is known internationally as the "founder of cooperative education" for implementing in 1906 his co-op plan "joining theory and practice, linking education and industry through knowledge and experience" in the Departments of Chemical, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering. He was a strong advocate of the value of work, believing that a part of anyone's success in applying his studies after graduation was traceable to benefits derived from the work itself.

Schneider believed that it was the application of theory in practice which was most critical to the advancement of learning. His theory originated from his many discussions with industrial and manufacturing leaders as well as his deeply held conviction that: "All that is best in the history of civilization has come from work, and all that is worst from idleness . . . Thinking and working are reciprocal aids." The "Leadership/Teamwork" couple exemplifies the need for engineers in today's global competition to work together on large projects, sharing expertise and experience. The "Creativity/Productivity" couple is actually an extension of the leadership dynamic.