Building the Innovation Economy

New Jersey Institute of Technology is the greatest producer of tech knowledge and talent in the State of New Jersey. That is the premise of the cover story for this issue of NJIT Magazine, and it’s not hyperbole. It’s fact.

Did you know that one-third of the engineers and scientists in our state are NJIT alumni? NJIT also is a top 20 producer nationally of African American and Hispanic engineers, and 62% of the African American and Hispanic engineers graduating from New Jersey public colleges earn their degree at NJIT. This issue’s main feature will provide you with an exciting look at people and projects that have made and are making NJIT a cornerstone of New Jersey’s innovation economy.

In the following pages, you also will take a visual tour of many creative and collaborative spaces that have been created on campus. Those of you who have not visited NJIT in some time will be astounded at the beautiful, welcoming and technologically advanced facilities in which our students and faculty are creating, understanding and sharing knowledge and experience.

This issue also contains a poignant in memoriam recalling the legacy of NJIT’s Al Dorman ’45, ’99 HON for whom our esteemed honors college is proudly named. After serving the United States as a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Al became the civil engineer of record for Disneyland before founding and building the international civil engineering firm AECOM, where he served as CEO. Al was an extraordinary man and supporter of NJIT. He was a model for all our alumni to try and emulate in many ways.

You also will be introduced to a newly emerging NJIT icon in this issue of NJIT Magazine — Jersey Girl! She is undoubtedly the most popular new face on campus, and one of our most loyal Highlanders.

I am sure you will enjoy reading this issue of NJIT Magazine, and I look forward to providing you some insights, in our next issue, regarding our new strategic plan. The 2030 plan will guide our university’s evolution and establish us as a nexus of innovation — the physical and intellectual focal point for ideas, actions and people focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, including researchers, learners, entrepreneurs and partners from government, industry and the community. 

Sincerely,
Teik C. Lim
President