In 1957 the first Sputnik was launched into space. A crash program was started to increase our technical know-how. In particular, the universities of our nation were called upon to produce more and more qualified engineers and produce more and more qualified engineers and scientists. A new emphasis was placed on graduate research at the M.S. and Ph.D. levels. More research funds were made available from both government and industry. Competitive bargaining for top graduate students now exists between universities and the good students themselves realize that they are at a premium.
Has university research moved from its position to seek out new knowledge and to serve position to seek out new knowledge and to serve in its proper perspective as a part of the teaching process or is research now being conducted as an end in itself? Have undergraduate curricula been neglected to the extent that the graduate program itself is in jeopardy?
Some universities have chosen to place most of their emphasis on graduate research. Many professors have made a status symbol of a light professors have made a status symbol of a light teaching load to the extent that they measure their prestige by the infrequency of their contact hours with students.
The University of Tulsa offers both an M.S. and Ph.D. in Engineering. However, our feeling is that we must maintain and continue to emphasize the undergraduate programs. An Honor's Program was initiated in Petroleum Engineering Program was initiated in Petroleum Engineering in 1966. Effective September, 1969, an average of 100 students in Petroleum Engineering will be receiving Honor's scholarships. This assures a high quality undergraduate program since these young men must maintain a "B" average or better. These programs have now been initiated in the entire College of Engineering and Physical Sciences as well as an over-all University Scholarship Program.
An outstanding university must have both superior teaching and research. A strong graduate research program is necessary since this is the way in which the ideal college professor maintains his competence and enthusiasm in his area of specialization. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that our main objective is the promotion of learning and inquiry for students and faculty alike.
