First-Year Engineers Celebrate Milestone on Decision Day
The Civil Engineering Department welcomes its newest class at Decision Day 2018.
More than 600 first-year engineering students celebrated a major turning point in their college career last week: choosing which field of engineering they'll pursue.
Known as Decision Day, the event takes place each spring after first-year students have completed their general engineering coursework and are prepared to select from one of the eight courses of study offered by the College of Engineering. The tradition began 10 years ago as a way to celebrate the milestone in students' careers.
Representatives from each department are on hand to cheer as each student steps to the microphone and announces their field of study, and the day is capped with food and networking with new peers.
Richard Cassady, director of the Freshman Engineering Program, said Decision Day is fun, but it's also a critical part of helping students choose a successful path.
"Decision Day is important because helping students make an informed choice of major is one of the top priorities of the Freshman Engineering Program," he said.
But, Cassady said, his favorite part is watching students making progress toward their goals.
"That's the best part of Decision Day — seeing the students celebrate their decision and interact with their new advisers and new peer group for the first time," he said.
In all, 642 students chose a major.
Mechanical Engineering took the most students, with 136, or about 21 percent of the current class. Second was Computer Science, which drew 107 new students, about 17 percent of the class.
The final totals:
- Biological: 45
- Biomedical: 79
- Chemical: 64
- Civil: 50
- Computer Engineering: 36
- Computer Science: 107
- Electrical: 63
- Industrial: 62
- Mechanical: 136
Click here to view more photos.
Topics
- Events
- Academic Affairs
- College of Engineering
- Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering
- Department of Civil Engineering
- Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Department of Industrial Engineering
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
Contacts
Richard Cassady, director
Freshman Engineering Program
479-575-6735,
cassady@uark.edu
Nick DeMoss, director of communications
College of Engineering
479-575-5697,
ndemoss@uark.edu
Headlines
U of A Bands to Hold Three Nights of Concerts
The Symphonic Band, the Wind Symphony, the 4 O'Clock and 5 O'Clock Bands and the Wind Ensemble will perform April 21-23 at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center on the U of A campus.
Honors College to Host 'Best in Show' Dog Celebration
The campus and community are invited to celebrate our furry friends with popsicles, water and dog treats from 3-4 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in the Gearhart Courtyard.
New Parasite Affecting Canadian Partridges Named for Arkansas Poultry Scientist
A long-time colleague in Canada gave a newly found parasite the scientific name Eimeria hargisi in honor of U of A poultry science researcher Billy Hargis.
U of A School of Law Student Selected for Ms. J.D. Leadership Academy Intensive
Tristan Branstetter-Thomas, a second-year law student, was one of 30 students from across the country chosen to participate in the leadership academy at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago.
Needy Honored as Distinguished Alumna of University of Pittsburgh Engineering College
College of Engineering Dean Kim Needy was among seven alumni of the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering honored in April as part of the 2024 Class of Distinguished Alumni.