This issue of Virginia Engineering Magazine celebrates the primary qualities that make the School of Engineering and Applied Science a unique educational institution: breadth of undergraduate experience, opportunities for service, introduction to ethics, and cutting-edge faculty research.

In our mission statement we say that we "educate students to be leaders in technology and society who contribute to the well-being of our citizens through the creation and transfer of knowledge." The importance of that mission grows daily as our society becomes increasingly reliant on technology and as the ethical and moral implications of technology become increasingly important.

We are able to develop the engineering leaders of tomorrow thanks to our excellent faculty and the broad-based educational program we have here, which includes excellent classes in the liberal arts. Our undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in research and real-world problem solving side by side with renowned researchers. Through student-run projects and volunteerism, they are able to grow and develop as student leaders and come to understand the impact of technology on a worldwide level. Through our thesis requirement and other required coursework, they learn the writing and presentation skills essential to being a successful leader, and many of our students take advantage of the opportunity to double-major and minor in other subjects that are part of the comprehensive University.

The strong foundation gained here can take our alums far and wide, as you'll read in "An Engineering Degree that Means Business." Featured alums include John Muleta (SIE '86, Law/Darden '93), who is currently bureau chief for the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission and Loria Yeadon, (ECE '85), who is CEO of Honeywell Intellectual Properties. These individuals and others are living examples of the breadth of professional opportunities available to the "Virginia Engineer."

In "Engineering Students Live School's Mission," you'll read about engineering students who are contributing to the well-being of society well before they leave these Grounds. Markus Weisner, recent Truman and Mitchell Scholar, spends his free time fighting fires. Sophie Johnson spends her summers in primitive communities of the world trying to provide technological solutions that fit the environments she finds there. And closer to home, third-year student Dan Laufer chaired Run Across Virginia and raised $66,000 for cancer research.

We have a great deal to be proud of in our School, and so much of that is thanks to the support of our loyal alums who continue to contribute to the School through the Virginia Engineering Foundation. We have some good news to celebrate there as well, with the creation of the new SEAS Trustees and the arrival of Nancy Cable, our new Associate Dean for Development and Virginia Engineering Foundation Vice President for Development. I am looking forward to working with Nancy and the Trustees and with each of you as we continue to do what we do so well-educate students who share your values, your technical expertise, and your understanding of the vital importance of engineering to the whole of society.

I thank you for your continued loyalty and support.