PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2020
ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ABOVE: President Coons places the final piece on the oversized tangram
used to track the progress of the $250 Mission Driven Campaign. RIGHT AND BELOW: Generous support from alumni and friends keeps the endowment strong, so the student experience can remain top notch and hands on.
FROM MISSION DRIVEN TO SUCCESSFUL MOMENTUM
Here’s how the campaign fared in important specific areas:
Support for the Mission Driven Campaign has ensured that Rose-Hulman is equipped to meet the challenges of the future. And it has strengthened its position as a national leader in undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
$127 MILLION for student scholarships and financial aid. $81 MILLION for the Fund for Rose-Hulman. $30 MILLION for new and renovated capital spaces. $12 MILLION for faculty support, global and diversity initiatives.
RIGHT (FROM TOP): The campaign expanded the institute’s
facilities including adding the Kremer Innovation Center, new state-of-the-art chemistry labs and the civil engineering structures lab.
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Rose-Hulman and University of Washington collaborated to receive a $620K shared grant from the National Science Foundation’s Research in the Formation of Engineers Design and Development program.
Civil engineering major Peter Householter recognized as one of the nation’s top civil engineering students by receiving the Structural Engineers Foundation’s 2020 Undergraduate Scholarship.
Professor Kay C Dee, Ph.D, lent her biology and biomedical engineering expertise as an associate editor of the Biomedical Engineering Society’s new Biomedical Engineering Education journal.
Students Carla Archuleta and Abel Keeley earned one of four grand prize awards at UBORA Design Competition for developing a low-cost oxygen saturation monitoring system for multiple patients as a way to assist health care facilities.
2020-21
Timeline of Achievements
ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Even as the pandemic disrupted many parts of life, the campaign was really on a roll, raising $50 million during its final year. It’s safe to say that the Mission Driven Campaign succeeded on all fronts, accelerated excellence and created a powerful momentum that is moving the institute forward.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2020
T
he summer of 2021 marked the official conclusion of the $250 million, comprehensive Mission Driven Campaign for Rose-Hulman. The aim was to build upon an already strong institution in multiple ways. The campaign has created new learning spaces, improved access for students and support for faculty, boosted student scholarships and nurtured innovative academic approaches.
New Academic Building
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS CAMPUS Anyone visiting the Rose-Hulman campus today after being away for a few years will be astonished by the transformation that has resulted from recent capital projects. Campus improvements are stunning in their beauty, and powerful in their impact on both academic excellence and campus life.
NEW ACADEMIC BUILDING A prominent symbol of the Mission Driven Campaign’s positive impact is the New Academic Building, with its state-of-the-art design studios, collaborative workspaces and science laboratories. Made possible by a $15 million lead gift from an anonymous donor, the $29 million, 70,000-square-foot building embodies the most innovative approaches to learning, is home to the expanding engineering design program, offers new labs and classrooms for chemistry and biochemistry instruction and research, and includes a new lab for food science development and testing. Chemistry and biochemistry students now build their knowledge and skills in labs outfitted with the same advanced equipment that professionals use. There are connected workspaces for interdisciplinary undergraduate research opportunities. Flexible classrooms feature embedded video technology so that students and faculty can collaborate on computer-aided design concepts. Students can easily move from idea to conceptual rendering to working prototype to finished product, all aided by easy access to such tools as laser-cutting devices, 3D printers, machine tools and CNC machines.
Interior and exterior glass in the central atrium provide a “window into Rose,” spotlighting the innovations taking place within the building. Also in the atrium is the interactive “Depth of Field” art installation featuring 13,000 programmable LEDs and other custom components—fittingly, it’s a triumph of both art and engineering. As Rick Stamper, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs notes, “this new facility offers tremendous opportunities for the types of teaching, hands-on learning and undergraduate research that has come to define a Rose-Hulman education.”
STUDENT LIFE SPACE The Mussallem Union is another impressive campus transformation made possible by the generosity of Rose-Hulman donors. The building, which had extensive renovations completed in 2018, was named in honor of a $9 million lead gift from Linda and Mike Mussallem—a 1974 chemical engineering alumnus and trustee—and features multiple areas for students to gather, recreate and enjoy exceptional food options.
BELOW: Flexible classroom space merges
traditional faculty lectures with group collaboration during class.
ABOVE: Standing 30 feet tall and 17 feet wide, the “Depth of Field” artwork is a focal
point in the New Academic Building and features 13,000 programmable light-emitting diodes. Alumnus and member of the Board of Trustees Tom Dinkel, and his wife Susie, provided a charitable gift to cover the cost of the project. 2
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2021
The donor-supported and studentnamed Pi-Vilion opened in 2019 as an extension of the Mussallems’ original vision for the student union. Made possible by their additional $1.5 million gift, the structure promotes healthy living and offers additional spaces where students can meet and unwind. The Pi-Vilion gained new attention in 2020 as it earned a top architectural award for design excellence from the Indiana chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The athletic field on the northeast corner of campus has been a busy place, hosting the men’s and women’s soccer teams, intramural sports and a variety of recreational events. It has been so well-loved, in fact, that its natural surface was difficult to keep in healthy, safe shape for use. An anonymous donation to the Mission Driven Campaign has made all the difference. The gift covered the full cost of installing synthetic AstroTurf atop a shock pad for added safety. “The synthetic field gives us a surface that can be used in any weather and any season,” according to Seth Woodason, director of recreational sports and athletic facilities. Construction took place during the summer of 2020, and related projects also included improved drainage, upgrades to the outdoor track and field complex, and new Bermuda grass on an adjacent intramural field. The new AstroTurf is a welcome upgrade for the soccer teams, which have both enjoyed significant success, including Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament crowns and NCAA Division III tournament appearances.
TOP: The Pi-Vilion, overlooking Speed Lake, offers a year-round, outdoor-like environment for students to gather. ABOVE: Following the addition of the
synthetic turf on Phil Brown Field, the soccer field received a similar upgrade allowing varsity, intramural and recreational sports to compete in any weather or season.
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Lilly Endowment Inc. awarded a $635K grant to support Rose-Hulman’s PRISM, which provided digital and professional development resources for Indiana’s K-12 educators.
A generous gift from an anonymous donor brought the installation of synthetic turf to the campus’ multipurpose field used for athletic, recreation and intramural activities.
Rose-Hulman was listed among the nation’s best colleges for career preparation, faculty accessibility, science lab facilities, and administrative operations in the Princeton Review’s “Best 386 Colleges” rankings.
Professor Craig Downing, Ph.D., was recognized for excellence in industrial engineering teaching and learning by the Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Society International.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Niles Noblitt and his wife, Nancy, made a $10 million gift to establish the Noblitt Scholars Program, an academic merit and leadership scholars program.
2020-21Timeline of Achievements 3
ENSURING OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE In the middle of March 2020, the Rose-Hulman experience turned on a dime. The pandemic halted every aspect of normal life, including face-to-face classes. Rose-Hulman made the transition with lightning speed and remarkable success, conducting the remainder of the academic year in a way that was incredibly different, but also quite effective. It was innovation, Rose-Hulman-style, with the forward momentum made possible by dedicated students, faculty and staff, as well as the kind of healthy operational flexibility that the Mission Driven Campaign has aimed to solidify. Indeed, operations funding is vital in all institutions, particularly those heavily reliant on tuition. Unrestricted operational support helps not only keep the lights on, but also allows Rose-Hulman to take advantage of opportunities and deal with curveballs—including challenges as big as the pandemic. Because of the flexibility to act quickly and decisively, Rose-Hulman was better able to react to the pandemic than many institutions, and also has been better positioned to return to “normal.” Generous support makes a difference in many other ways that elevate the Rose-Hulman mission. Lilly Endowment Inc. is an ongoing supporter, with recent funding totaling more than $16 million. The AskRose Homework Help program is one prominent example. Students in grades 6-12 benefit from the personal homework assistance and knowledge of more than 100 Rose-Hulman students, who in turn gain valuable experience each year as tutors. Lilly Endowment support has beefed up the AskRose online technology services, and video tutoring is the latest addition.
The partnership will expand current and implement new mental health services to serve approximately 5,000 students between the three institutions.
the three institutions as part of its Charting the Future of Indiana’s Colleges and Universities initiative. The program is called MINDful College Connections, and it’s focused on preventive care strategies and increased student access to mental health services. Rose-Hulman and its partners will share knowledge and experiences, as well as resources such as psychiatrists, counselors and telehealth services.
Meanwhile, Rose-Hulman is collaborating with DePauw University and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College on a grant-funded program to expand mental health resources for students. Lilly Endowment is providing $8 million to
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Professor of Chemistry Ross Weatherman, Ph.D., named Head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Rose-Hulman began the 2020-21 academic year with its largest class of incoming students in three years, and one that presents a strong academic profile.
For the 22nd straight year, Rose-Hulman topped U.S. News & World Report’s list for best undergraduate engineering program. Five academic departments also ranked No.1 — chemical, civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering.
Director of Engineering Design and Mechanical Engineering Professor Patsy Brackin, Ph.D., was named a distinguished Fellow by the ABET international educational accreditation agency in recognition of her career achievements in undergraduate engineering education.
Rose hosted its first ever virtual Homecoming, which included a create-your-ownbonfire competition, video messages from campus leadership, and swag boxes stuffed with traditional Rose-Hulman Homecoming memorabilia.
2020-21Timeline of Achievements 4
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2021
Alumnus and Board of Trustees Chairman Niles Noblitt and his wife Nancy transformed student programming by funding the Noblitt Scholars Program.
GROWING ENDOWMENTS A significant focus of the Mission Driven Campaign has been establishment and growth of endowment funding. It’s a prime example of momentum-building support, because through endowment giving, generosity now can have an impact in perpetuity. The Noblitt Scholars program is an excellent example. It was made possible by a $10 million gift from alumnus and Board of Trustees chair Niles Noblitt and his wife, Nancy. Noblitt Scholars is a merit and leadership program that aims to transform gifted STEM students into future science, math and engineering industry leaders. Participants identify an area of concern or interest to them—for example, sustainability, infrastructure or social justice. Faculty mentors guide them as they dive deeply into their chosen area to gain a growing knowledge and understanding of the subject. Each year, participants formally present their reflections on what they have learned, mastered and discovered. The program launched with about 80 participants in 2020, and the intent is to add 55 more first-year students each year.
Linda and Mike Mussallem’s generosity has improved not only the facilities on campus but also Rose’s recruitment strategies for students in the Chicago area.
“It’s nice to be working together to help bring hope, joy and energy to this community through this mural,” says scholar Amelia Robinson. “It’s been a labor of love for all of us.” Another example of ongoing support is the $4.1 million scholarship gift from Linda and Mike Mussallem. The program supports recruitment of students from northwest Indiana and the Chicago area. Endowment support also strengthens Rose-Hulman’s ability to attract world-class faculty. One example is the Alfred R. Schmidt Chair for Excellence in Teaching. The chair was endowed through an unusual gift from mathematics alumnus Felda Hardymon—the $2.39 million proceeds from auctioning his customized McLaren P1 hypercar.
Niles Noblitt says the program builds the potential for Rose-Hulman students to go into the world and make a swift, positive difference. “We wanted to establish a program that will enable our students to make a positive impact on environmental, infrastructure, health care and other major challenges as soon as possible.” The community of Noblitt Scholars aims to make a difference in the present, as well, by giving back locally. For example, one group helped design and create a large mural in Terre Haute’s historic 12 Points neighborhood. About 30 first-year students painted the shades of a sunrise scene, with three large hearts, across a 62-foot-long wall. “Our students have skills and abilities that can impact a community,” says Christine Buckley, Ph.D., Noblitt Scholars director and associate professor of biology and biomedical engineering. “I’m hoping the Noblitt Scholars see the power of their STEM expertise to provoke change.”
The sale of a rare McLaren P1 hypercar, formerly owned by alumnus Felda Hardymon, endowed the Alfred R. Schmidt Chair for Excellence in Teaching.
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EXCEPTIONAL ROSE-HULMAN PEOPLE SAWMILL SOCIETY Rose-Hulman graduates head into the world with not just exceptional STEM knowledge, but invaluable experiences that are a foundation for turning that knowledge into action. That combination is how entrepreneurs are born, and the Sawmill Society is how Rose-Hulman’s alumni entrepreneurs support one another as well as the institute’s future. The Sawmill Society is a philanthropic society as well as a forum for sharing insights and inspiration. With dozens of alumni entrepreneurs as members, the group fans the spark of innovation at Rose-Hulman in several ways. For example,
a mentor/mentee program connects alumni entrepreneurs with student mentees who can benefit from their experiences. Alumni make their areas of interest and expertise known, and students are then able to contact mentors they feel will be helpful. A ventureship program offers the ability for students to receive funding, mentorship and other support so they can stay on campus during summer break to work on their entrepreneurial projects. Students taking part in this paid opportunity can tap into faculty one-on-one mentorship and other campus resources as they work to launch a startup project. The summertime approach allows time to focus on the startup— time that may be in short supply during the academic year. In addition, an external group of alumni have formed the Sawmill Angel Network to gather funding to support the entrepreneurial dreams of those with Rose-Hulman connections. The network is not directly affiliated with Rose-Hulman, but it’s intended to be a way alumni and friends can give back to the institute’s community and encourage investment in the future success of Rose-Hulman innovators.
Erica Buxton
Timothy Sublette
“Angels have the opportunity to positively impact new venture success in the Rose-Hulman community,” says Mike Hatfield, a 1984 electrical engineering and mathematical economics alumnus who has launched multiple startup companies and helped create the network. “Capital, coaching and counsel are key contributions that angels can expect to make to that success.” Timothy Sublette, a 1995 computer science alumnus, says through the Sawmill Society, “Rose-Hulman entrepreneurs can learn from each other, share our experiences with up-and-coming entrepreneurs and give back to Rose.” With entrepreneurial-minded alumni experts in areas from plant-based baby and family products to cryptocurrency, the Sawmill Society allows members to build out their professional network while also supporting the institute.
Koushik Subramanian
Mike Hatfield
Craig Downing
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Rose-Hulman is a magnet for exceptional minds that create valuable and interesting ideas. A popular forum for passing along this knowledge is Rose Talks, a library of fascinating videos on pertinent and intriguing topics presented by faculty and alumni.
Kelly Noel
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2021
ROSE TALKS
In one Rose Talk, electrical engineering alumna Kelly Noel talks about the complexities of managing more than $1 billion in health care construction projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another Rose Talk starring Fumi Sunahori, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, offers in-depth insights into the chemistry of fireworks and what happens before they burst. Professor Emeritus Dave Voltmer, Ph.D., shares intriguing trivia about pi, along with history and a pie recipe. Charles Clancy, an alumnus who majored in computer science and computer engineering, checks into the past and future of artificial intelligence. Professors Kim and David Henthorn explore the chemistry and engineering involved in producing high-quality chocolate.
Charles Clancy
Rose Talks are both informal and informative, sometimes trivial and sometimes profound, potentially sharing valuable life lessons, occasionally sharing laughs. Most important, they show the world just how brilliant the minds are that have connections to Rose-Hulman. David Henthorn, Ph.D.
Kim Henthorn, Ph.D.
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The Indiana chapter of the American Institute of Architects praised Rose-Hulman’s new Pi-Vilion for its clean yet bold design and contribution to student wellbeing.
Nearly 1,250 students were online to participate in individual and group meetings with 143 companies during the Virtual Fall Career Fair.
Associate Professor Christine Buckley, Ph.D., named director of transformative new Noblitt Scholars program.
LendEDU compiled U.S. Department of Education student loan default rate information and found that Rose alumni have the lowest default rate among Indiana four-year public and private colleges and among the best in the nation.
Trailblazing African American alumni James Stewart, Judge Robert Wilkins, and trustee Tonya Combs explored Rose-Hulman’s past, present, and future for diversity and inclusion during a special virtual panel presentation organized by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.
2020-21Timeline of Achievements
Watch the video at rose-hulman.edu/alumnipanel
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ABOVE: All 643 first-year students gathered to form their expected
graduation year during the 2021 first-year student orientation.
ATTRACTING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST Pandemic or not, Rose-Hulman has continued to attract outstanding students. In fact, this year’s incoming class set an enrollment record of 643 first-year students, up more than 15% over the 2020 incoming class, which was our largest in three years and again, among the strongest ever from an academic perspective. In addition to being academically strong, the 2021 group is another racially diverse incoming class, including a record number of Asian and Hispanic students, and the second-largest female incoming class.
2020 ENROLLMENT:
MEDIAN ACT SCORE:
MEDIAN SAT SCORE:
TOP 5% NATIONALLY
547 STUDENTS 710
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2020 CLASS INCLUDES: • 20% more women than previous year • 2nd largest female class ever • One third of 2020 students were racially diverse • Record number of Asian and Hispanic students
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Despite the pandemic, some 547 students arrived to begin their college career in September 2020. Incoming students brought a median SAT math score of 710 and ACT math score of 31, putting them among the top 5 percent nationally. That incoming class included 20% more women than the year before, the second-largest female class ever until this year’s group surpassed that mark. A third of the 2020 students were racially diverse, and nearly one in five were either first-generation attendees or Pell Grant recipients. Achieving such impressive enrollment numbers the last two years has required a quick shift in recruitment strategies, as the pandemic unfolded about the same time high school seniors typically are figuring out their fall college plans. “We quickly adapted our recruitment strategies to meet students where they were,” says Tom Bear, vice president for enrollment management. “We added virtual tours, visit videos and other online services as part of our outreach. It was a team effort between faculty, alumni, coaches, current students and staff to reach prospective students.”
A REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE It happens almost like clockwork. The U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Guide is released, and Rose-Hulman has a top ranking. In fact, the 2022 guide shows the institute as No. 1 among engineering colleges focused on bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and it’s the 23rd year in a row that Rose-Hulman has been named the best in the specialized engineering category. Rose Hulman also was listed No. 1 in four academic department categories. U.S. News honored the civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering departments. Beyond the highly regarded U.S. News ranking, Rose-Hulman is once again in the Princeton Review’s spotlight. The education service company’s The Best 387 Colleges guide, for its 30th anniversary, spotlighted Rose-Hulman on a variety of “Great Lists” because of its long history of appearances among Princeton Review honorees. The publication listed Rose-Hulman on the “Great Career Services,” “Great Professor Accessibility,” “Great-Run Colleges” and “Students Study the Most” lists. What does it take to make annual appearances on such important national rankings? According to Rick Stamper, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, Rose-Hulman pursues continuous improvement across all academic programs. That means improving academic facilities, adding new majors, investing in new courses and hiring the best faculty who are dedicated to undergraduate education and research.
• NO. 1: “Top 20 Best Schools for Internships (Private Schools)” • No. 8: “Top 20 Best Career Placement (Private Schools)” • No. 15: “Top 20 Best Value Colleges without Aid (Private Schools)” • No. 30: “Top 50 Best Value Colleges (Private Schools)”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2021
OTHER PRINCETON REVIEW DISTINCTIONS INCLUDE:
• “Best Value Colleges” • “Best Midwestern Colleges” View more rankings at rose-hulman.edu/rankings Several other rankings also put Rose-Hulman in the spotlight. Among them: • The 2022 Niche Guide to Colleges gave Rose-Hulman an overall “A” grade, with high marks in value, academics, student life, safety, professors and diversity. It named Rose-Hulman No. 1 among “Best Value Colleges in Indiana.” • The PayScale 2020-21 College Return On Investment named Rose-Hulman No. 1 among Indiana colleges and No. 11 nationally for “Best Value Private Colleges,” No. 1 in Indiana and No. 14 nationally for “Highest Paying Bachelor’s Degrees-Beginning Salaries,” and No. 1 in Indiana and No. 23 nationally for “Highest Paying Bachelor’s Degrees-Mid-Career,” with an average of $146,500. • The annual Fiske Guide to Colleges 2022, edited by former New York Times education editor Edward B. Fiske, listed Rose-Hulman among 300 of the “best and most interesting” colleges in the country.
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TIME-HONORED AND INNOVATIVE TRADITIONS Like many institutions of higher education, Rose-Hulman is steeped in traditions—annual events and celebrations that carry great significance and meaning. Having those traditions interrupted, and then restored, has only served to underscore their importance. Campus traditions around Homecoming and Commencement are some of the biggest traditions of all at Rose-Hulman. In the most recent complete academic year, one was interrupted by pandemic considerations, and the other marked a triumphant return to normalcy after an unexpected transformation the year before. ABOVE AND FAR LEFT:
Alumni from around the country submitted photos and videos of their backyard bonfires to celebrate 2020’s virtual Homecoming. LEFT: The Alumni Relations office also provided DIY bonfires for alumni to build and fill with their combustible of choice.
This time around, in the fall of 2020, it was Homecoming that had to hit the “pause” button for the safety and health of wouldbe participants. Actually, “pause” may be a misnomer, because in reality, Homecoming moved forward, but in innovative new ways reflecting the creativity of Rose-Hulman minds. Most of the 2020 Homecoming events were online. President Robert A. Coons hosted a special live broadcast that welcomed nearly 650 alumni and guests. There were updates about how the campus was handling the pandemic, as well as a tour of the not-yet-opened new academic building. And yes, there was a bonfire—actually, countless mini-bonfires. A Build Your Own Bonfire Contest challenged alumni to recreate the beloved tradition remotely, and the winning entry was a Florida-based event featuring a fire nearly as large as the traditional on-campus blaze. Nearly 400 alumni purchased special Homecoming gift boxes that included a Bonfire Challenge kit, a Sherpa blanket, a traditional Homecoming pint glass, a Rose-Hulman facemask, plus other Homecoming memorabilia. As for Commencement at the end of the 2020-21 academic year, the 143rd annual ceremony marked the return to more normal traditions, after the 142nd annual event in 2020 had
97%
PLACEMENT RATE FOR CLASS OF 2020
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Rose-Hulman launched a new combined bachelor and master’s degree program, Rose Squared (R2), allowing students to earn two degrees in four years.
Professor of Chemistry Luanne Tilstra, Ph.D., joined Inside Indiana Business’s Gerry Dick on the Ag+Bio+Science podcast to talk about the popularity of the new Chemistry of Food course, which launched in fall 2020.
Rose-Hulman Ventures marked its 20-year milestone of turning ideas into game-changing technology while giving Rose students hands-on experience under real-world pressures.
Rose-Hulman’s Office of Career Services and Employer Relations announced 97% placement rate for the Class of 2020 with average starting salary of more than $76,000.
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2021
The 2021 Commencement, though held outside amid COVID-19 safety requirements, included all the traditional components, like the walk down the hill.
to be quickly reimagined as an inventive virtual event. The personalized, online graduation events of 2020 (detailed in the previous year’s President’s Report) were a triumph of ingenuity, but on the last Saturday of May 2021, graduating seniors embarked on the traditional in-person processional through campus before gathering at Cook Stadium’s Phil Brown Field to be honored as the newest Rose-Hulman alumni. Though the pandemic forced limited attendance, some 416 members of the Class of 2021 collected bachelor’s and master’s diplomas in front of select friends and family. Another 65 took part in anticipation of soon completing their degrees. As a bonus, the ceremony and walk across campus were available for viewing online in a live stream.
Though there were some safety considerations tied to the ongoing pandemic, Commencement was, all in all, a grand return to a beloved tradition. And this year, Homecoming returned as a successful in-person event, with some 1,400 alumni and friends visiting campus during the special weekend. More than 150 members of the Class of 2020 also returned to complete the traditional processional walk down the hill they were unable to complete during the prior year’s Commencement.
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A $1.46 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant accentuates Rose-Hulman’s free AskRose Homework Help program through video tutoring services, making it easier for students and tutors to better discuss problems.
The online data resource Stacker ranked Rose-Hulman among America’s top 100 colleges for return on investment. Meanwhile, DesignNews listed the institute among Top 25 Engineering Schools, ranked by salary.
The 2020-21 athletic seasons resumed with Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play under NCAA Division III, league, local, and institutional COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Cultural Connections by Design Founder Nicole Robinson, Ph.D., shared diversity education insight as keynote speaker for a virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Day event. She also facilitated campus diversity workshops during the week.
The American Concrete Institute designated the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering an “Outstanding University,” based on students’ participation in concreterelated activities and educational initiatives.
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Youth-based outreach activities like Sonia Math Day and MATHCOUNTS helped the Department of Mathematics earn the American Mathematical Society’s Exemplary Program or Achievement award.
A new virtual program, Rose Accelerate, allows high school students who will be juniors and seniors in the fall to earn college credits providing a valuable head start to earn Rose-Hulman degrees.
Board of Trustees approved not increasing tuition for the 2021-22 academic year for continuing and new students. The decision responded to COVID-19 pandemic economic uncertainty for families.
Linda and Mike Mussallem, a trustee and alumnus, established a $4.1 million scholarship fund to support students from northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland region, while also providing international and leadership experiences.
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The past year will no doubt be remembered as a time when the pandemic kept people apart. But it will also be celebrated as a time when people came together to shine a much brighter light on injustices, inequities, and what the world can do to become more inclusive and appreciative of diversity and equity. Rose-Hulman has committed itself to being part of the solution, seeking greater diversity and inclusion within its own campus community and supporting greater opportunities in STEM education. The Center for Diversity and Inclusion focuses on continuing to build a campus climate that is safe, welcoming and affirming for all students, faculty and staff. The center produces cultural and community-building programming, fosters intercultural dialogue and interaction, and creates learning opportunities that build awareness and goodwill.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2021
A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Even more broadly, the institute has focused on its recruitment efforts to ensure they attract a student body of diverse academic experiences and backgrounds. It has explored revisions in its hiring processes to encourage diversity among faculty and staff. It has pursued diversity training, opened new avenues for feedback, and built long-term action plans to maintain the momentum for change.
The Center for Diversity and Inclusion is a hub of activities for students and affinity groups. The center offers cultural and leadership workshops for students, faculty and staff, in addition to an annual speaker series.
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The Association of Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group in Computer Science Education recognized professor emeritus Cary Laxer, Ph.D., for a lifetime of service to computer science education.
Plans to continue in-person instruction for summer and fall 2021 are announced after the institute successfully implemented a return to campus plan and provided instruction in-person, online and via a hybrid of both.
Biochemistry student Colin Beach is named a 2021 Goldwater Scholar, recognizing his research and internship experiences and academic achievements. Rose-Hulman has had 12 Scholars during the past 16 years.
Carlotta Berry, Ph.D., named new Lawrence J. Giacoletto Endowed Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and mathematics professor Joshua Holden, Ph.D., named new Endowed Chair for Innovation in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education.
A Day of Giving had 533 supporters providing $331,900 to help meet Rose-Hulman’s greatest needs, including scholarships. These numbers topped 2020’s totals in both categories.
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Rose-Hulman Ventures student interns gain real-world experience and hone their multifaceted engineering skills to find solutions to complicated problems for their clients.
ROSE-HULMAN VENTURES Recently celebrating 20 years, the industry-focused innovation experts at Rose-Hulman Ventures continue to provide valuable services to business clients plus invaluable real-world experiences for student interns. Rose-Hulman Ventures employs a team of highly experienced engineers, designers and software developers hired by businesses to tackle product development projects and solve vexing problems. Specializing in what it sees as the “innovation space,” Rose-Hulman Ventures can take commercial concepts from the idea phase through prototyping into production. Its services are ideal for companies unable to employ the kind of broad, multidisciplinary engineering team that many project launches require. While product development is a specialty, problem-solving can be quite rewarding as well. For example, Rose-Hulman
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Professors Paul Christensen, Ph.D., and Wayne Tarrant, Ph.D., are named Fulbright Faculty Scholars to spend the 2021-22 school year in an international exchange program —Christensen in Japan and Tarrant in Kenya.
The Princeton Review cited Rose-Hulman among America’s top private colleges for providing internship and career placement opportunities — key elements of a Best Value College for 2021.
An e-mentoring program had five female students encouraging West Vigo High School freshmen girls to explore STEM opportunities through the PRISM program and support of the Duke Energy Foundation.
Inaugural Noblitt Scholars gave back to the Terre Haute community by helping design and create a colorful 62-foot long mural for the historic 12 Points neighborhood as part of a community redevelopment project.
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2021
Ventures took on a project on behalf of Water for South Sudan, a not-for-profit that digs wells in small villages in Africa. The problem: Broken pumps in thousands of wells. The questions: Why were so many well pumps failing? Was it a design flaw? A manufacturing issue? An error in installation? With their usual multidisciplinary approach, the experts at Rose-Hulman Ventures have been working to pinpoint issues and recommend manufacturing improvements.
With intellectual property rights staying with the client, Rose-Hulman Ventures student interns have to follow strict non-disclosure agreements, but often are featured on client patent applications.
What the well pump project really underscores is the opportunity to make a difference in the world through Rose-Hulman’s engineering acumen. In this case, it was so much more than an engineering project involving a piece of machinery—ultimately, a successful outcome will mean life-giving water for countless humans on the other side of the world.
MAY 5, 2021
MAY 12, 2021
MAY 28, 2021
JUNE 2, 2021
A virtual Rose Show featured 86 student projects that used artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D technology and modeling, software programming, and general problem-solving know-how.
Luke Greenwood earned the American Concrete Institute Foundation’s Future Concrete Industry Leader Fellowship in recognition of his leadership abilities, past experiences, and desire to be a leader in the concrete industry.
Nearly 500 students received degrees in an outdoor Commencement. Alumnus/Team Penske President Tim Cindric gave the Address and joined Steel Dynamics President/CEO Mark Millett in receiving honorary degrees.
Senior Director of the Center for Global Engagement Kathy Hammett received the 2021 International Education Award for distinguished service to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
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FISCAL YEAR 2020-21
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2020
Revenue 50% / Student Services
Endowment
$271.2 million
Property, Plant & Equipment
$163.3 million
Other Operating Assets
$69.5 million
Total Assets
$504.0 million
Total Liabilities
$117.6 million
Total Net Assets
$386.4 million
Functional Expenses
Auxiliary Enterprises / 19%
Private Gifts & Grants / 12%
Investment Return / 15%
Grants & Contracts / 2%
2% / Other
Expense by Natural Classification 46% / Instruction & Academic Support
Student Services / 17%
45% / Salaries Other Operating Expenses / 19% Cost of Goods Sold/ Food Service Fees / 6%
Institutional Support / 17%
Depreciation / 12% Interest / 2%
Auxillary Enterprises / 20%
Utilities / 3%
JUNE 5, 2021
JUNE 18, 2021
JUNE 22, 2021
JUNE 24, 2021
The Rover Robotics team was among 13 entries from five countries competing in the final round of the virtual University Rover Challenge, replicating autonomous rovers that are unlocking mysteries of Mars.
Grand Prix Engineering team members took their love of motorsports to Las Vegas for a high-stakes game of racing in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers competition.
Electrical and computer engineering professor Carlotta Berry, Ph.D., is named a Distinguished Fellow by the American Society of Engineering Education for her outstanding contributions to engineering education.
Rose-Hulman tops a list of more than 50 Indiana colleges/universities for alumni median salaries one year after graduation, according to a U.S. Census Bureau study in cooperation with Hoosier higher ed institutions.
2020-21Timeline of Achievements 16
13% / Benefits
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2021
Robert A. Coons PRESIDENT
CLOSING THOUGHTS It has been three years since I was honored to accept the role of president of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. What a three years it has been! Fully half of that time, we have been operating under the challenges and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. To say it has not been easy would certainly be an understatement. But this experience has proven the old wisdom about challenges bringing out the best in us. Even during the months when our campus was shut down, we kept moving forward, innovating solutions and surpassing all expectations. I can truly say, with pride and gratitude, that Rose-Hulman today is as strong as we have ever been, with powerful momentum for tomorrow. Need proof? Consider that we just wrapped up our $250 million Mission Driven Campaign, which has helped to set up our institution for long-term health and growth. Even as the world was upended during the campaign’s final year, we were blessed with $50 million in commitments. Need more? Consider that when we came back to campus following our time pursuing virtual education and operations, we returned with one of our biggest and most diverse incoming classes and strongest academically ever. Be proud that our institution has continued to collect accolades from outside, independent sources confirming that we are at the forefront of STEM education.
Add in the fact that we completed our exceptional New Academic Building and improved other aspects of our campus—we continue to transform our educational approaches and improve the quality of campus life. Also consider the generous gifts that have created endowed faculty chairs and enabled such advancements as our Noblitt Scholars program. These accomplishments that we celebrated amid the cloud of the biggest health and economic challenge in a century are just a few examples of why I am more excited than ever about the future here at Rose-Hulman and the momentum we have built. We’ve experienced no disruption in our teaching excellence, no pause in our pursuit of state-ofthe-art facilities. We continue to attract the most talented young students, who continue to get exceptional personal attention from caring faculty and staff. I have been part of the Rose-Hulman family for three decades and have already enjoyed countless opportunities to applaud our successes. But I am just as energized by our tremendous potential for even more achievement. I am grateful for your ongoing support, and am looking forward to the exciting chapters we will continue to write in the coming years.
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