ISE Lab named for President Emeritus Harker
OUR UD | The Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory, the first new laboratory building constructed in nearly 20 years, is now the Patrick T. Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory—or Harker Laboratory—in recognition of UD’s 26th president.
“President Harker challenged us to look to and understand the future of higher education, and to look well beyond our borders in cultivating our success in meeting that future,” said Chairman A. Gilchrist Sparks III at the May meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Throughout his presidency, Harker remained committed to innovative excellence in teaching, exemplified most notably by the new laboratory’s problem-based learning classrooms, which seamlessly integrate lecture and experimentation into coursework.
The state-of-the-art facility has helped elevate UD’s reputation as a premier research and graduate university.
Since its opening in October 2013, Harker Lab has received positive feedback from students, faculty and industry collaborators. Its greatest successes have perhaps been in student participation and enthusiasm. For instance, professors from the Integrated Biology and Chemistry classes estimate a 10 percent increase in regular class attendance, with one professor witnessing an increase of more than 25 percent. Even more impressive was the rate at which Harker Lab students chose to take the next advanced science course: a whopping 82 percent.
Now, the building Harker once called “our temple of the future…and endorsement of our best ideals” bears his name.
Presidential Search
The search for the 27th president is now underway. Led by a 15-member committee with representatives from key constituencies, including the Board, faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni, the University features a website, www.udel.edu/presidentialsearch, to keep alumni and friends informed of the process. UD welcomes comment from the Blue Hen community.
