By Neil Nachbar
John Grandin, who co-founded the University of Rhode Island International Engineering Program (IEP) in 1987 with former dean of the URI College of Engineering Hermann Viets, received an honorary doctorate in engineering at the University’s 2019 undergraduate commencement ceremony.
The IEP is one of the most successful interdisciplinary language programs in the country, thanks in large part to Grandin.
“Bestowing engineering’s highest degree on a professor of German language and culture demonstrates the extent to which URI has given meaning to international and cross-disciplinary education,” said Grandin. “I was thrilled that my work could be recognized and praised in such a public way and that my wife, Carol, and son, Peter, could be a part of the weekend’s activities.”
“I am thrilled that John received this much-deserved honorary degree,” said IEP Executive Director Sigrid Berka. “When John launched the IEP with Hermann, he had the foresight of doing something truly revolutionary by creating an educational model which broadens the students’ horizons, internationalizes engineers and gets non-traditional language learners into the classroom.”
Sharing the Credit
While Grandin was appreciative of the honor, he was quick to credit those who helped make the IEP vision a reality.
“I felt a sense of pride to receive the honorary degree, but wished I could share it with all of those who have worked so hard for the program’s success,” Grandin said. “I’m keenly aware of the countless others who endorsed my vision of a global engineer and helped the program thrive.
“I’m also aware of the hundreds of IEP students who have had the courage to go the extra mile to earn an engineering degree, a language degree and spend a year of study and internship abroad,” Grandin continued. “They are my heroes for carrying their global education into the workplace.”
Leader in Innovative Language Education
While enrollment in foreign language programs have been declining at universities across the nation in recent years, foreign language studies are booming at URI. Over a 10-year period, the number of students majoring in languages at URI has grown from 335 to 732.
“Since the IEP was launched over three decades ago, the URI community has witnessed the impact the program has had,” said Berka. “In that time, several other programs have adopted John’s interdisciplinary dual degree model, integrating a language major with a major in disciplines such as business, computer science, pharmacy sciences and international global studies. URI is now a leader in innovative language education.”
Industry Impact
“During their year of integrated study and internship abroad, IEP students apply their linguistic, cultural and technical skills simultaneously in a foreign environment,” said Berka. “John knew that companies would have a need for young adults who could solve engineering challenges in a global context.”
“In today’s global economy, having an international experience in which students are fully immersed in another culture is an invaluable opportunity,” said URI College of Engineering Dean Raymond Wright. “Companies hire our graduates as soon as they have their degrees. Producing a truly global and interdisciplinary engineer is what we at URI’s College of Engineering are most proud of, and companies agree.”
IEP Factoids
- IEP alumni work for companies such as BMW, Boeing, Bosch, Boston Scientific, Continental, Daimler, Dow Chemical, Porsche, Siemens and others
- IEP is the oldest dual-degree international engineering program in the country
- Graduates receive two degrees, one in engineering and one in a language
- Six languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish
- 414 students are currently enrolled in the program at URI