Testimonial

Matt Miller

[Ph.D. ME 1993]
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

The Woodruff School was an environment with both technical breadth and depth. I took classes that were directly related to my research and others that weren't. We were encouraged to develop breadth. At the same time, I was working with a researcher who is clearly one of the best in his field in mechanics of materials (Dr. David McDowell). Now being in academia, I am finding how difficult attaining this balance can be.

One major strength of the Woodruff School was the multidisciplinary nature of my training. There is a very strong relationship between material science and mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech.

The program is broad and inclusive. It is not okay to leave Georgia Tech knowing a whole lot about a small portion of mechanical engineering.

The faculty is very good. Like most places, Georgia Tech has some great teachers and some poor ones, but I had many more good teachers than bad — the best researchers are often the best teachers. The student body is good and getting better. I am now competing with Tech for graduate students, and I am losing more than I am winning. I know the quality of some of the students going to Georgia Tech, and it is very good.