Summer 2004

Rose-Hulman's Bruce Black Named Wireless Educator of Year

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Bruce Black has been awarded the Wireless Educator of the Year Award from the Global Wireless Education Consortium (GWEC), a collaboration of wireless industry companies and academic institutions.

Black was selected for demonstrated leadership in the wireless field, documented collaboration within the wireless industry, support of students in wireless projects or educational initiatives, and for his efforts in preparing students for employment in wireless and wireless-related industries.

“This award underscores the importance, from an educational perspective, of keeping pace with technological advancements when developing tomorrow's technology leaders,” stated Susan Sauer Sloan, executive director of GWEC. “Bruce Black's distinguished career, and clear dedication and commitment to wireless education are exemplary and commendable.”

Black, a Rose-Hulman faculty member since 1983, was chosen from a competitive pool of nominees that represented colleges and universities worldwide. GWEC also honored an educator that teaches at the associate degree level.

The Educator of the Year Awards will be presented at one of the nation's largest wireless conventions, the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association's Wireless I.T. and Entertainment 2004 show on Oct. 25-27 in San Francisco.

Black teaches a senior-year class on wireless systems, which introduces students to mobile radio communications with application to cellular telephone systems, wireless networks, and personal communication systems. He also teaches classes on communication networks, electrical systems, and the analysis and design of engineering systems. He has conducted research on wireless systems, opto-electronic systems and the development of optical radar systems for the U.S. military.

“Bruce was teaching students about the importance of wireless communication systems well before the field became novel. He has been an educational leader in this area for some time,” said Fred Berry, head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rose-Hulman. “It's gratifying to see Bruce being recognized as an educator because he does his best work in the classroom. He is admired by students and his faculty colleagues.”

Black also joined Rose-Hulman and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (N.Y.) faculty in developing educational modules on wireless communications systems that will be used in colleges and universities throughout the world. He is a contributing author of a textbook on wireless systems engineering that will be published next year. GWEC is focused on expanding wireless technology curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels worldwide, anticipating employment demands with the unprecedented growth in the wireless industry. Rose-Hulman is a GWEC member and is a recognized national leader in emerging technologies. GWEC's industry members include Motorola, Sprint, Texas Instrument, UGS Corp. (formerly a division of EDS) and Verizon Wireless. “To meet current and future product and service demands, it is imperative that we grow the wireless workforce so that companies have a pool of highly-qualified individuals to employ and students graduate with a skill set and knowledge base that is current and fully recognized by the wireless industry,” Sauer Sloan stated. “Bruce Black and Rose-Hulman are helping develop this pool.”