Dear Whiting School Community,

Over the past five years, the Whiting School has moved from 27th to 17th place in U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of graduate engineering programs. While the absolute meaning of these (and of any such rankings) should be regarded with a degree of caution, given the impossible task of quantifying and comparing something as nuanced and complex as universities, we cannot deny the impact these rankings have on prospective students, hungry for concrete data to help guide their graduate program choices. Another undeniable truth about our rapid ascent in the rankings: It signals how dramatically our visibility, our reputation, and the impact we are having on the world have grown—and continue to grow.

Today, the Whiting School boasts a flourishing entrepreneurial culture. Our faculty and students are tackling complex societal problems, and we are offering new degree programs that address pressing industry needs, launching cross-divisional research initiatives, and  translating our discoveries into innovations that improve lives.

Such achievements fuel our reputation and position us for even greater success. We are attracting world-renowned scholars and, over the past two years alone, the number of our faculty members in the National Academy of Engineering has increased by five. Over the past six years, our research expenditures have grown by an average of 14 percent a year, we have seen record numbers of applications to all our programs, and we have launched a Doctor of Engineering program that provides working engineers with access to the discipline’s highest degree.

And our faculty members, students, and alumni continue to make a difference in the world. For proof, just look inside this issue of JHU Engineering.

All of what we do is made possible because of the generosity our university’s supporters. Michael Bloomberg ’64’s remarkable gift will change lives by providing more students with unprecedented access to a Johns Hopkins education. Now, it is up to us—together, working toward a common goal—to carry forward the impact of a Johns Hopkins education and tackle the most complex challenges that face our world. As all engineers know, there is always more work to be done. With you, the WSE community, as our partner, the impact we have will be tremendous.

Sincerely,

Ed Schlesinger