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[...] AMES, Iowa–The Iowa State University Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) has received a brand new 8245R series tractor from John Deere that will be used for teaching and research in the department. At a special ceremony on October 5, Tony Kajewski, continuing improvement engineering manager at John Deere Waterloo Tractorworks, presented gold keys to the tractor to Jonathan Wickert, dean of engineering, and Joe Colletti, senior associate dean of agriculture and life sciences. (Video) [...]
I recall back in the ’70s, ’80s and even into the ’90s that many in academia questioned the propriety of academic departments becoming partnered too closely with particular industries, as if that somehow might compromise academic objectivity. While certainly that’s still a concern, in the face of continuing extreme budgetary pressures, these partnerships are critical if students are to have the resources to properly prepare them for careers in engineering, as Prof. Kanwar suggests. And if you look at the myriad relationships College of Engineering units have with industrial partners, it’s clear that people in the academic community and beyond have come to recognize the importance of these ties. Kudos to Deere for its continuing support.
