Efforts to strengthen these ties recently resulted in a visit by Boeing’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Dr. John Tracy on Feb. 2. While on campus, Dr. Tracy met with university president Dr. Wallace Loh and other campus leaders, took a tour of the Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center, and spoke to engineering’s diversity leadership. He also spent time with the 15 incoming hires and summer interns from the Clark School who will begin working at Boeing in May. To cap off the day, Dr. Tracy presented a special guest lecture to the ENAE 200 Aerospace Engineering Profession II class, which was open to all UMD students. 

 

In his lecture, Dr. Tracy outlined some of the moments in his career at Boeing of which he is particularly proud. The 2007 unveiling of the company’s major new jet model, the 787 Dreamliner, was one such highlight. He reflected on Boeing’s legacy of innovation as it celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2016, and emphasized to the students in attendance that the aerospace industry will soon have an increasing need for new talent as older generations retire. At the end, students were able ask questions of Dr. Tracy before he was presented with a Glenn L. Martin Medal for his participation in the lecture series.

 

The Clark School provides many opportunities that help its students stand out when applying for industry jobs like those at Boeing. Aside from classes which emphasize hands-on learning, the Office of Co-op and Career Services plays a major role in Engineering students’ success, hosting internship and networking fairs, staging resume workshops, and providing an online jobs board where students can find co-ops and entry-level positions. Dr. Tracy has been recognized by many industry organizations. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and he has been named a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Royal Aeronautical Society, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 

Visit the Clark School’s calendar here to learn about future events and lectures.