Congratulations to NIU’s College of Engineering and its recognitiion from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Engineering Technology.

The five-year-old college received the essential accreditation last week which hopefully will propel it into continued growth and prosperity.

“In just five years our program has accomplished what the University of Illinois required 15 years to complete,” said Department Chair Parviz Pavar, proudly.

The accreditation is a huge feather in NIU’s cap. Beating the U of I makes the accomplishment even sweeter, no matter how often NIU officials say they’re not competing with Illinois’ collegiate giant and favorite son.

Pavar attributed the accreditation to fervent internal checks and channeling the program toward accreditation since its inception.

Engineers are being sucked-up by the public and private sector and contribute greatly to the state’s economic structure. The accreditation helps NIU’s visability and recognition and therefore helps all of the students.

The accreditation also directly helps the department’s future. Greater prestige translates into higher interest which hopefully translates into more money to improve facilities and equipment.

So congratulations and thank you to NIU, the Board of Regents and all others involved.