Dean says LSU’s engineering college important to state

As potential budget cuts loom, Richard Koubek, dean of LSU’s College of Engineering, made his case today for the importance of a strong engineering program. The college helps provide high-income jobs for Louisiana residents and a talent base for companies that might want to come here, he says. Speaking to the Baton Rouge Press Club, Koubek says the Louisiana Workforce Commission predicts the state will need new 1,090 engineers and construction managers per year, which is slightly more than the combined graduates from all of the state’s engineering colleges last year. And there are some specific areas with significant projected shortfalls; for example, 130 industrial engineers per year could be needed, while the state only produced 29 graduates in that field last year, including 19 from LSU, he says. LSU engineering graduates earn higher average salaries than the national average in several fields, he says. College faculty research topics like stronger asphalt for roads, better traffic patterns for evacuations, and biofuels. Koubek says he is starting to hear from companies concerned that budget cuts will reduce the quality of the college’s graduates. LSU Chancellor Mike Martin and university officials are reviewing spending and may cut or eliminate some academic programs while protecting core areas; engineering could be one of those areas granted some protection. Koubek says he’s not privy to those discussions. —David Jacobs