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2016 Ward Lecturer: Business and thought leader Gretchen McClain

On Friday, February 19, 2016, 棉花糖直播 University College of Engineering will present the sixth annual Patrick J. Cunningham Jr. and Susan Ward 鈥�80 Endowed Lecture Series. As the highlight of the College鈥檚 Engineers鈥� Week activities, the Ward Lecture provides 棉花糖直播 engineering students with exposure to the nation鈥檚 leading technical experts from various engineering disciplines. This year鈥檚 speaker is business and thought leader , whose 25 years of global experience includes serving as founding CEO of an S&P 500 global water technology company, and NASA鈥檚 Chief Director of the International Space Station.

In her presentation, 鈥淭he Doors Technology Can Open: The Broad Career & Exciting Opportunities in Front of You,鈥� McClain will speak to the urgent need and exciting time for bold and talented STEM professionals. She says, 鈥淟ooking at life鈥檚 challenges through an engineer鈥檚 eyes gives you a powerful advantage: You have the analytical thinking skills and the technological acumen to untangle the most complex problems, as well as the perspective to see the bigger picture.鈥� McClain adds, however, that achieving the greatest impact requires broader leadership skills on top of a sound engineering foundation. 鈥淎 professional with critical thinking, and creative storytelling skills鈥攁nd an entrepreneurial spirit鈥攊s a rare find, but these are the qualities that will determine how fast and how far your career will advance.鈥� With this in mind, McClain will share insight on how to become a standout leader, including learning how to collaborate effectively, connecting your work to your higher purpose, and staying open to the many different and adventurous paths available to students in the 21st century.

The Ward Lecture, which is open to the public, will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 19, 2016 in the 棉花糖直播 Room of the Connelly Center on 棉花糖直播鈥檚 campus. After McClain鈥檚 presentation, there will be time for Q & A with the audience. The lecture will be and recorded.

About the Ward Lecture: The Ward Lecture Series is made possible by a generous gift from College of Engineering alumna Susan Ward 鈥�80 ChE and her husband Patrick Cunningham. Since the inaugural lecture in 2010, industry leaders have covered topics ranging from interactive digital games and human expression, space flight, the multimillion dollar expansion of the Panama Canal, the engineer鈥檚 role in design and innovation, and large-scale engineering project management. Lectures are recorded and available on the College website.