Late engineering dean called 'visionary' by Mineta
Husain Sumra
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: News
"The house that Jay built" was the site of both a reception and memorial for one of the most influential deans of the College of Engineering.
About 130 people attended the memorial of Jay Pinson, a former dean of the College of Engineering, in the Engineering building on Friday.
Pinson, dean of the College of Engineering from 1978 - 1996, died on Sept. 20, 2008 at the age of 79 after a battle with cancer.
"My father raised the funds and built (the Engineering) building when he was dean," said Debbie Pinson, Pinson's daughter.
Michael Parrish, dean of the College of Science, announced the proclamation of the Jay Pinson Program for Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Education at the memorial.
Parrish said one of the goals of the program was to get students interested in engineering by teaching them math and science.
According to the proclamation, a Science Technology Engineering and Math Education center will be made at SJSU.
"What we hope to do is fill in half of the breezeway under Duncan Hall," Parrish said.
He said the funds for building the center haven't been gathered yet.
"We're raising money for it," he said.
John Crump, the interim director of the Tech Academy and master of ceremonies for the memorial, said his academy and the program are similar.
"We're both working in the same big pool," he said.
The Tech Academy is a summer school program founded by Pinson that focuses on teaching K - 12 students engineering through the hands-on learning of science and math, Crump said.
He said that Pinson believed engineering needed extra preparation.
"Jay really believed there needed to be more to prepare students for engineering," he said.
Belle Wei, dean of the College of Engineering, said the STEM Program is a way to honor Pinson's legacy and that a plaque will be placed prominently in the lobby of the Engineering building to "celebrate his accomplishments and honor his legacy."
About 130 people attended the memorial of Jay Pinson, a former dean of the College of Engineering, in the Engineering building on Friday.
Pinson, dean of the College of Engineering from 1978 - 1996, died on Sept. 20, 2008 at the age of 79 after a battle with cancer.
"My father raised the funds and built (the Engineering) building when he was dean," said Debbie Pinson, Pinson's daughter.
Michael Parrish, dean of the College of Science, announced the proclamation of the Jay Pinson Program for Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Education at the memorial.
Parrish said one of the goals of the program was to get students interested in engineering by teaching them math and science.
According to the proclamation, a Science Technology Engineering and Math Education center will be made at SJSU.
"What we hope to do is fill in half of the breezeway under Duncan Hall," Parrish said.
He said the funds for building the center haven't been gathered yet.
"We're raising money for it," he said.
John Crump, the interim director of the Tech Academy and master of ceremonies for the memorial, said his academy and the program are similar.
"We're both working in the same big pool," he said.
The Tech Academy is a summer school program founded by Pinson that focuses on teaching K - 12 students engineering through the hands-on learning of science and math, Crump said.
He said that Pinson believed engineering needed extra preparation.
"Jay really believed there needed to be more to prepare students for engineering," he said.
Belle Wei, dean of the College of Engineering, said the STEM Program is a way to honor Pinson's legacy and that a plaque will be placed prominently in the lobby of the Engineering building to "celebrate his accomplishments and honor his legacy."
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