[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 169 (Monday, October 16, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





     RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION AT 
                  CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 16, 2023

  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to recognize the 
100th Anniversary of Engineering Education at California State 
University, Fresno. Since its founding, the Lyles College of 
Engineering at Fresno State has prepared the Central Valley's 
engineering workforce by providing a quality education for college 
students.
  The origin of Fresno State's engineering programs dates back to the 
1922-1923 academic year, when Professor Herbert Wheaton was hired as 
the university's first civil engineering instructor with 35 students 
enrolled in the program. In the decades to come, the College of 
Engineering would only continue to expand with the emergence of the 
civil engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering 
programs. Fresno State launched its geomatics engineering program in 
1979, which became the first accredited professional geomatics program 
in the United States to prepare students for careers in surveying and 
engineering related to the earth's surface. Today, the Lyles College of 
Engineering offers a comprehensive set of seven undergraduate degree 
programs, including architectural studies, civil engineering, computer 
engineering, construction management, electrical engineering, geomatics 
engineering, and mechanical engineering, as well as five graduate 
degree programs.
  Over the past 100 years, Fresno State has educated tens of thousands 
of engineering students and has contributed to the development of a 
highly skilled engineering workforce for California and the nation. 
Fresno State graduates have made great strides in the Central Valley, 
the United States, and around the world. Today, over 60 percent of its 
students are the first to attend college in their families.
  Lyles College has produced presidents and CEOs of large corporations, 
astronauts, entrepreneurs, designers, construction managers, engineers, 
and innovators who have served in both public and private sectors. 
Notable alumni include: Sam Iacobellis, an icon of the aerospace 
industry who led the manufacturing of the B-1 bomber during the Cold 
War; James Kardach, a tech innovator who contributed greatly towards 
the development of the Bluetooth standard; and Colonel Rick Husband, 
astronaut and commander of the U.S. Space Shuttle Columbia. A total of 
26 alumni from Lyles College have been honored with Fresno State's 
distinguished Top Dog Alumni.
  Today, Lyles College is an essential part of educating the future 
workforce and preparing students with the technological skills required 
to succeed. In addition to its impact on the students it serves, the 
Lyles College of Engineering has strong partnerships with local and 
regional industry groups and government agencies, and it is a catalyst 
for regional economic development.
  Lyles College has contributed valuable research in areas such as 
transportation, structural engineering, water technologies, deep space 
networks, and agricultural technologies. At the dawn of its second 
century, Lyles College is well positioned for growth in innovation, 
research, and academic programs, and it will continue its leadership 
and impact in the greater San Joaquin Valley of California and beyond.
  On behalf of the 20th Congressional District of California, I would 
like to congratulate the students, faculty, staff, and leadership at 
the Lyles College of Engineering for 100 successful years of 
engineering education at California State University, Fresno, and know 
that Fresno State will continue to be integral in graduating the next 
century of innovators of our Valley, State and Nation.

                          ____________________