Christopher Smith

• Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology;
  ECET Program Coordinator

Throughout elementary and high school, Chris Smith was always tutoring other kids, especially in math. He wanted to be like Mr. Wizard, the "Science Guy." The son of a career military officer, his childhood was spent in Denver, Philadelphia, New York, Panama and Japan. He attended a special science magnet high school in Philadelphia which developed his interest in electronics. He majored in Electrical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame where outstanding teachers inspired him to become a professor.

Chris chose a position in the Department of Engineering Technology at PNC instead of in West Lafayette. Although family ties to South Bend were the major part of his decision, he favored the smaller PNC campus, seeing an opportunity to grow and do many new things. "At the main campus I figured that I would be stuck teaching the same class over and over again. At PNC, I have taught every class in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Program (ECET) and that's what I like, being a "jack-of-all-trades.'"

Meeting his wife Pam was the biggest change in his life. Within two years, they had their first two children. "Witnessing the birth of my children and holding them, just minutes after they were born, is a feeling that cannot be put into words."

As an adult, Chris has lived overseas several times and traveled extensively. In June of 1989, he was in Beijing for two weeks during the Tiananmen Square incident and spoke with some of the young people who were involved. Ten years ago he took a sabbatical and lived in Malaysia for more than a year with his wife and their four children. His outlook has always been global, and he encourages students to travel whenever they get the opportunity. He says, "In the flat world that we have become, our young people must have a global perspective."

Chris enjoys one-on-one conversation which makes him a good advisor to the sophomore, junior and senior ECET students. They trust him and know that they can contact him when they have a problem in their classes or need career guidance. By the time these students graduate, they have matured and are able to be successful in their chosen profession of electronics.

Chris has done consulting work in Northwest Indiana and keeps in touch with many former students which gives him a good picture of career opportunities in the area. He uses this knowledge to network with potential employers and as a result, he boasts almost a 100 per cent placement rate in ECET.

Along with others, Chris is working to create several concentrations within the Engineering Technology bachelor's degree: games and graphics, biomedical, nanotechnology and renewable/green energy. This will make the degree more interesting, more modern and better able to meet the future needs of the area.

Chris hopes to have his Ph.D. in Engineering Education completed within two years. A past recipient of PNC's Outstanding Teacher Award and a faculty member for almost 25 years, he is among the many who hope to grow and improve PNC for the benefit of students.