Another College of Engineering Decision Day is in the books, with more than 600 students stepping up to the mic on March 4 to announce their name, hometown and choice of major, followed by festive cheers and revelry from their chosen department.

Mechanical engineering drew the most students, nearly 23 percent, followed closely by computer science, with 21 percent, among the nine disciplines. The number of students matriculating from first year to sophomore year jumped by 82 students, from 525 in 2021 to 607 in 2022.

The boisterous Decision Day tradition began in 2008 along with the First-Year Engineering Program, which is designed to nurture academic success, professional development and individual growth among first-year engineering students through orientation, advising and mentorship. (To find more photos, click here.)

Students assemble in a College of Engineering auditorium March 4 to declare which major they have chosen in a tradition known as Decision Day. Photo by Dani Jackson

Civil engineering students Anthony Rivas, Victor Awopetu, Sarah Raycher and Bailey Downing pause for a picture​. Photo by Mike Emery

Students Maria De Los Angeles Vergara Murillo and Lillie Bolton stop to celebrate after De Los Angeles declared biological engineering as her major. Photo by Jennifer Cook

"Decision Day is the most exciting day of the year in the First-Year Engineering Program," said Richard Cassady, University Professor of industrial engineering and director of the program. "For our faculty and staff, it marks the end of a year of advising and mentoring that began during the previous summer's new student orientation. For our students, it marks the beginning of their journey to become a professional engineer or computer scientist."

Student Donna Thakadipuram announced her choice for the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering, with a planned graduation date in 2025.

"I chose computer engineering because I find the unending change in technology and the change in people's relationship with technology fascinating," she said. "I would like to be a part of that change and use my own skills to make a lasting contribution to the field."

The final 2022 totals, by department, were:

• Biological: 27
• Biomedical: 70
• Chemical: 47
• Civil: 60
• Computer Engineering: 50
• Computer Science: 128
• Electrical: 40
• Industrial: 47
• Mechanical: 138
• Total: 607