Testimonial

Douglas Spearot

[MSME 2001, Ph.D. ME 2005]
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

My decision to attend the Woodruff School at Georgia Tech was based primarily on the quality and the variety of faculty within the Mechanics of Materials Research Group. I had a wide range of research topics to explore and a variety of classes to take. I especially appreciated the clear connections between faculty within this group and the School of Materials Science and Engineering, as my research interests span both disciplines. As a secondary factor, I felt very comfortable at Georgia Tech, as both faculty and staff were available to answer questions and extremely helpful during the application and decision process.

I could not have asked for a better set of advisors (Dr. David McDowell and Dr. Karl Jacob) to prepare me for a career in academia. First, they allowed me to direct my own academic preparation, as I was able to take classes within the Woodruff School, the School of Materials Science and Engineering, the Department of Physics, and the College of Computing. Second, they instilled within me the ability to guide my own research directions, a skill that is extremely important for new faculty in academia. Third, they allowed me to travel to a range of conferences, both within the United States and abroad. These conferences allowed me to establish research networks with faculty and graduate students at other universities prior to starting my current academic employment.

The major strength of the Woodruff School is the people who work there - this includes both faculty and staff. The faculty are of course world-class in their research and technical abilities. Similarly, research facilities are exceptional. However, it was the comfort level that I received in the Woodruff School that really pushed Georgia Tech above similarly ranked schools in U.S. News & World Report in my search for a graduate school. My advisors and other faculty within the Mechanics of Materials Research Group took a sincere interest in both my technical and personal development over the course of my graduate education. In summary, the Woodruff School is a wonderful place to attain a graduate education.