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Message from Tsuhan Chen, ECE's New Director

Greetings!

My first taste of Cornell ECE has been very gratifying. I deeply appreciate the warm welcome I have already experienced, and I eagerly anticipate becoming deeply engaged here at ECE, Cornell, and the Ithaca community.

I was drawn to Cornell for several reasons. The university's rich history, including its introduction of the world's first program in electrical engineering, is very impressive. What particularly intrigues and excites me, though, is how the faculty have stayed dynamic over the years, finding new ways of doing things—always staying out in front. This spirit is no doubt encouraged by the kind of openness that dean (now Provost) Kent Fuchs and outgoing ECE chair Clif Pollock and the faculty have shown in bringing me—a newcomer—into the school. That kind of receptiveness to change really drew me to Cornell and to ECE.

The culture here is very rich. ECE has an excellent track record in multiple areas of research, and there is a growing culture of collaboration in leading-edge, multidisciplinary work. The faculty here also enjoy a superb reputation as teachers; Cornell students—both undergraduates and graduates—benefit from a very fine education. And the alumni are both accomplished and engaged with ECE and the university.

I look forward to developing an agenda with input from many sources. Clearly, there is a strong platform here for taking the next steps, and I hope to bring new perspectives to further enhance this fine school. I am certain we can continue to build on ECE's strengths by recruiting top talent from all over the world and then mentoring new faculty to develop their teaching and research prowess. I also look forward to continuing to advance the strong culture of collaboration that exists here. I want to help foster—and be part of—a climate in which working together is rewarded.

I think ECE might benefit from greater sustained promotion of the school to the outside world; a deliberate strategy and dedicated resources may help to accomplish this. One "promotional" idea among many is to increase the number of distinguished lecturers the school brings in. This approach has the potential both to bring fresh ideas into the school and at the same time to enhance Cornell's reputation, as these individuals get to know ECE and share what they've learned about us through their institutions and networks. But this is only one of many approaches, and I am eager to share and explore many other ideas.

I have already gotten to know many of the faculty and staff and already feel very much at home here. I am excited by the opportunity to get to know the rest of the faculty and staff and many students and alumni, too. That's what I will focus on during my first several months. I plan to do a lot of listening. Whether we have already met or have yet to meet, I hope you will stop by and talk about how I can help you achieve your goals and those of the school.

This is one of the world's great institutions, a fascinating community, and a beautiful part of the world. I look forward to getting to know them, and especially to getting to know you—the people who are at the heart of it all.

With best wishes,

Tsuhan Chen