President’s Message

Spring 2024

Letter from the President

Letter from the President Innovations often start small. But with the right amount of support, mentorship, and fortitude, our fledgling ideas can grow to become astounding endeavors. And those endeavors, in turn, will inspire others to follow. As I read about the continued accomplishments of our alumni, I am always...

Fall 2023

A Letter from Raj Echambadi

To some the phrase might seem like a casual platitude. But as I come to know more and more members of our alumni community, I am continually reminded that leadership requires the courage to take chances and succeed. The stories you will read in this issue of Illinois Tech Magazine attest to that fact, and the recent accomplishments of our students, faculty, and staff over the past year only reinforce it.

Spring 2023

Letter from the President

When I first arrived at Illinois Institute of Technology, I was thrilled to take my place in a growing, innovative community with such incredible potential. Now, after nearly two years serving as president, I can honestly say that the opportunities and innovations I’ve seen flourish on campus have far exceeded my expectations.

Winter 2022

Letter from the President

It is the dawn of a new era in higher education, one that is being driven by a technological transformation that is changing what we do and how we do it. The forthcoming, technology-driven Fourth Industrial Revolution means there is a need to educate the next generation of innovative tech leaders who will shepherd us forward.

Fall 2019

Letter from the President

Now, as we are deep into fall, I find myself thinking back to a celebration that coincided with the beginning of the season: the Illinois Institute of Technology Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2019. The event’s two days of activities for alumni, students, faculty, and staff included a 50th Reunion Breakfast, trolley tours, athletics events, and the Homecoming Carnival. In addition to welcoming members of the Golden Society as well as alumni who graduated in 1969, 1994, 2009, and 2018 back to Mies Campus, we held the Alumni Awards ceremony and reception.

Summer 2017

Letter from the President

On May 13, 2,799 students became members of the Illinois Tech Class of 2017. At the Commencement ceremony held at Ed Glancy Field on Mies Campus, I looked at the many faces representing a multitude of cultures within our academic community. They reminded me of our university's continuum of success...

Fall 2016

Letter from the President

The beginning of the fall semester is always an exciting time on our campus, and I am especially honored and proud this year as it marks my first anniversary as president of Illinois Tech. For the start of the 2016–17 academic year, the number of new degree-seeking undergraduates and graduate...

Spring 2015

Letter from the President

“The best is yet to come.” —William Shakespeare As Illinois Institute of Technology celebrates its 125th anniversary, I am reminded of the many friends who have supported our university over the decades and all they have done to help us move forward. Through their philanthropy, they have honored those who...

Fall 2014

Letter from the President

“No period of my life has been one of such unmixed happiness as the four years which have been spent within college walls.” —Horatio Alger Jr. I have been following the recent debate about the value of a college education with great interest—and a bit of dismay. Many argue that...

Summer 2014

Letter from the President

“In the end, the American dream is not a sprint…Our families don’t always cross the finish line in the span of one generation. But each generation passes on to the next the fruits of their labor.” —Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio, Texas When this issue of IIT Magazine reaches...

Spring 2014

Letter from the President

“A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind.” —Albert Szent-Györgyi For any university to be great, its faculty members need to be scholars as well as teachers. That means they must continue to hone their academic disciplines through research and other creative enterprises and to publish...

Winter 2013

Letter from the President

“It is hopeless for the occasional visitor to try to keep up with Chicago—she outgrows her prophecies faster than she can make them.” —Mark Twain When Mark Twain wrote of “that astonishing Chicago” in Life on the Mississippi , he described a city “contriving and achieving new responsibilities.” It was...