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Why would a busy executive at one of the world’s
largest high-technology companies log countless hours helping teach the
Senior Design class for OSU’s Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering?
“Maybe I need my head examined,”
jokes David Hackleman, COE alum (ECE, ‘73) and Chief Technologist
of the Technology Development Operation at Hewlett-Packard’s Corvallis
operation. But Hackleman’s head is definitely in the right place,
as are his heart and hands. He volunteers at OSU because he wants to help
ensure that engineering students get a good dose of industry perspective
before they enter the work force.
“There are things I found I
needed to know that I didn’t learn while in school,” Hackleman
says. “OSU students need participation by those of us in industry
in order to give them an advantage over graduates of other universities.
This advantage has to come from local industry, as well as from others
interested in the university’s success.”
His participation at OSU benefits
his company as well, Hackleman says. Not only can he query faculty with
questions related to his HP work, but by working closely with students,
he can also identify which students will fit well at his company upon
graduation.
Hackleman says the Senior Design
class offers several unique opportunities for practicing engineers to
help make a difference:
• Be a guest lecturer, presenting
real-world, industry-related topics often not covered in standard engineering
curricula, but important to students’ success in the workplace.
• Serve as a mentor for a project,
helping a four student team take it from initial design to prototype.
• Sponsor your own Senior Design
project, offering a problem/idea and sponsoring the program as outlined
by the ECE Department: http://www.ece.orst.edu/industry/index.html.
As OSU continues to reach out and
build deeper relationships with individuals in industry, both OSU and
the business community benefit. Teaching is very challenging,” Hackleman
says. “I feel I get back more than I give. It’s exciting and
interesting to learn from the students.”
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