First Dual Edward Waters College-Florida A&M University Engineering Graduate

By FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Summer 2010

David Hunt during one of his two internships at the Army Research Laboratory

David E. Hunt, graduated at the end of the spring 2010 semester with two Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees: one in mathematics from Edward Waters College (EWC) and one in electrical engineering from Florida A&M University (FAMU). After six years of study, David is the very first student to successfully complete a new dual degree program between the two institutions. "For three years I was at the EWC Campus in Jacksonville," David remarks. "You finish all your mathematics courses and then transfer here [FAMU-FSU College of Engineering]. However, it [engineering] kind of threw me off guard. It's totally different from taking all math courses."

Four years ago, a joint dual mathematics-electrical engineering degree program was established between the Department of Mathematics and Sciences at Edward Waters College and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

The program was established due to the efforts of Dr. Nakamuthu Sundaralingam, associate professor and chairman, Department of Mathematics and Sciences at Edward Waters College. In speaking about the success of the joint program, Dr. Sundaralingam remarked, "This is the first time in sixteen years that I have had this many applications for graduation. It's due to the dual-degree engineering program that we started with FAMU and FSU. The program is supported by a grant to EWC from the Department of the Army, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, and the U.S. Army RDECOM Acquisition Center."

Dr. Reginald J. Perry, associate dean for student affairs and curriculum at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, shared his thoughts about the new program. "We are very pleased to be a partner with Edward Waters College in this new dual degree program, and are looking forward to more students like David joining us."

David Hunt adds, "Even though the transition from all math courses to engineering was challenging, I would do it again, I definitely would do it again."

For more information on the program please contact Dr. N. Sundaralingam at nsundar@ewc.edu.