As I write this, the magnolia trees lining the Lower Quad are in full bloom, classes are winding down toward finals, and our seniors and their families are looking forward to Commencement. There is a palpable spirit of new beginnings—one I share as the Whiting School’s new dean, and one that I hope you’ll experience as you enjoy this issue of our newly conceived JHU Engineering magazine.

While I am early in my tenure here, one thing is abundantly clear to me already: The sense that what we are all doing here matters is the hallmark of Johns Hopkins. This energy, vitality, and sense of purpose—which permeates every aspect of life at the Whiting School—comes through beautifully in our magazine’s new design.

Inside this and future issues, look for informative stories that show how Whiting School researchers and students are quite literally making the world a better place. I am so impressed by the broad array of important discoveries coming out of our departments, laboratories, collaborative centers, and institutes (stories featured in our “Impact” section), and I’m sure you will be, too.

Of course, as important as our quest for discovery and our desire to impact and improve society is our mission to create an unparalleled community for Whiting School students—in the classroom, the dormitory, the laboratory, on the playing field, and beyond. In my encounters with students over these past few months—and through my conversations with alumni during Homecoming Weekend in April—I’ve been struck by the tight-knit nature of the Whiting School and its people. Everyone is engaged with one another in many different ways. The alumni I’ve met are eager to provide professional connections to our young engineers, and faculty members are committed to helping students learn, and develop as researchers and entrepreneurs.

This connectedness offers great reason for optimism: When our graduating students cross the stage on Homewood Field in their caps and gowns, they can be confident that no matter what might change for them.

Ed Schlesinger
Benjamin T. Rome Dean