KEEN
Embracing the
CURIOSITY Understand the broader world. Look toward the future. Explore multiple perspectives.
Three C’s
By DR. DOUG DUNSTON, DMA, KEEN PROGRAM COORDINATOR
In the satirical song “Wernher von Braun,” Tom Lehrer sang, “Once the rockets are up, who cares where they come down? That’s not my department! says Wernher von Braun.” Lehrer’s satirical songs, including the one about aerospace engineer von Braun, have startled, delighted and tipped off balance generations of listeners. Sometimes when we laugh, however, it’s due to our recognition that there’s a deeper aspect of reality being highlighted that may be worth our attention. The School of Engineering faculty has been exploring the
CONNECTIONS Think outside the box. Place old ideas in new contexts. Gain insights.
CREATING VALUE Seek opportunities. Understand stakeholders. Have a positive impact.
interconnections of student skill sets and mindset over the past several years as part of its work with KEEN, the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network. A few interlocking concepts that have served us well in this endeavor go by the shorthand of the “3 C’s”: curiosity, connections and creating value. Not surprisingly, these concepts also provide clues to how we want our students to embrace the development of their own character, discovering ways to recognize and make ethical choices that can align well with the University of St. Thomas mission, “All for the Common Good.”
The Three C’s: engineeringunleashed.com/mindset
For the second year in a row, a School of Engineering student was voted the Tommie Award winner by students, faculty and staff. Electrical engineering major Kevyn Perkins ’22 was recognized as a senior who best represents the ideals of St. Thomas Aquinas through scholarship, leadership and campus involvement. Perkins has successfully balanced a challenging academic schedule with campus involvement during his time at St. Thomas. He’s president of the Black Empowerment Student Alliance, been both an Ignite Research Scholar and a Ciresi Walburn Scholar, served as the student liaison to the Board of Trustees and member of the National Society of Black Engineers. Perkins plans to work in the medical device industry and pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. ENGINEERING STUDENT KEVYN PERKINS ’22 RECEIVES TOP STUDENT AWARD
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