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Distinguished entrepreneurship educator Thomas Mason
and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Office of Institutional
Research, Planning and Assessment have been selected finalists for the
state’s top technology honor -- the TechPoint Mira Awards, presented by
BKD.
Now in its 11th year, the Mira Awards recognize the
achievements of Indiana’s outstanding technology performers and
contributors, and focuses attention on the broader issue of the
important role technology plays in Indiana’s economy.
The winners will be announced at the Mira Awards Gala, an “Oscars-style”
award ceremony being held on May 15 at The Westin in downtown
Indianapolis.
Five independent panels of judges choose 60 Indiana companies, schools
and individuals from a record number of nominations in 15 categories.
Judges evaluated and scored each submitted nomination, and the scoring
determined which nominees became finalists. Finalists will deliver
presentations and answer questions in person before one of the five
independent panels of judges during the next few weeks.
Mason, professor of economics and engineering management for 38 years,
is a finalist in the Education Contribution to Technology – Individual
category, while the Office of Institutional Research, Planning and
Assessment (IRPA) is featured in the Education Contribution to
Technology - Program/Department/Team category.
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Tom Mason |
Mason has been the entrepreneurs’ entrepreneur, through 25 years of
teaching entrepreneurship to engineering undergraduate students and
engineering management at Rose-Hulman. He has played a key role in
mentoring future entrepreneurs, business leaders, and engineers who will
pave the way for future technological and business enterprises
throughout the country.
Mason believes that the outcomes of higher education, especially at the
undergraduate level of engineering, science and technology, should be
measured by the quality of the student professional practice experience.
That’s why he has helped students learn how to develop business plans,
led the development of an innovative multidisciplinary entrepreneurial
design course that uses experiential learning as a key educational
component, and helped co-found Rose-Hulman Ventures, a unique
educational enterprise that provides students with real-world
experiences in engineering, science and technology while using
leading-edge technology and methods.
Mason has stepped away from the classroom to serve as
Entrepreneur/Educator in Residence for the Indiana Venture Center
(2007-08); serve as president, chief executive officer, treasurer and
acting chief financial officer of Applied Computing Devices in Terre
Haute (1992-95); and served as president of International Centers for
Telecommunication Technology in Terre Haute (1992-94).
However, Mason is most proud of watching those students he has helped
mentor grow into being productive and successful entrepreneurs as they
realize their dreams and aspirations. That list includes Jeff Ready,
founder of Scale Computing and former Entrepreneur In Residence at the
Indiana Venture Center; Jason Zilke, chief operating officer of Precise
Path; Dustin Sapp, former founder of NoInk and Vontoo; Jeremy Clarke,
president of Vortex Web Solutions and developed of Indy Dining and other
businesses; and Jonathan Fruchte, analyst for Indiana’s 21st Century
Fund analyst.
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Julia Williams |
IRPA plans, designs and implements strategies for the collection,
analysis and reporting of data to support the faculty, administrators,
and students. In order to accomplish that mission, the office manages
the development of technology solutions that make the collection,
analysis, and reporting of data efficient and effective. These
technology solutions have a direct impact on how Rose-Hulman students
learn, how faculty members teach, and how the administration of our
institution manages and uses information.
Among IRPA’s achievements of IRPA has been the creation of the RosE
Portfolio System, a digital system used to assess student achievement of
learning outcomes in higher education. The office also hosts the annual
RosEvaluation Conference, an international symposium on best practices
in student learning outcomes assessment. The conference provides an
important meeting point for faculty, staff, administrators, and other
educators to share their work in assessment and to develop best
practices in the field of accreditation, particularly engineering
education accreditation.
Julia Williams, IRPA’s executive director and professor of English,
states: “Based on our experience in development of assessment and data
management tools, we believe we are making a significant contribution to
student learning outcomes assessment, institutional improvement, and
accountability in higher education.”
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