ECE ILLINOIS Ignition sparks ideas for students (VIDEO)

More than 400 incoming ECE ILLINOIS freshmen and transfer students set themselves up for success by attending ECE Ignition. This annual event is designed to introduce newcomers to important names and faces, connect them with resources, and begin to build a collaborative community.

Students gathered in Grainger Auditorium in the ECE Building, and the presentation started with a video history of ECE ILLINOIS. Professor P. Scott Carney emceed the event, introducing Department Head William H Sanders who discussed ECE's legacy of world-changing innovation. He invited the new students to help write the next chapter of that legacy and emphasized the collective desire for student success, outlining many of the resources available.

A significant part of the evening was dedicated to detailing the ten ECE ILLINOIS research groups. Faculty members Michael L Oelze, John Michael Dallesasse, and Michael Bailey highlighed some of the breakthroughs from each area.

Students also heard alumnus Yemana Bordain's (PhD '15) perspective and ten things current ECE seniors wish they knew as incoming freshmen. The evening ended with a new tradition, taking a class picture in the lobby. Attendees also received ECE ILLINOIS Class of 2020 t-shirts and enjoyed pizza as they met representatives from more than two dozen student organizations.

A photo album of pictures from the event is available on Facebook. If you have photos to share, please tag @ECEILLINOIS on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and use #ILLINOISwelcome.