Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Technology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, traveled to Washington, D.C. Feb. 6-8 to meet with members of the Arkansas congressional delegation. 

Whitman was joined by University of Arkansas College of Engineering Dean John English, Arkansas State University College of Engineering Associate Dean Paul Mixon, and Arkansas Technical University College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Dean Neal Barlow.

The deans, along with engineering deans from across the country who are members of the Engineering Deans Council of the American Society for Engineering Education, heard from U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, who is also an engineer.

The group also met with U.S. Sen. John Boozman, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, U.S. Rep. French Hill, and the staff of U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford and U.S. Rep. Steve Womack.

During the trip, the group thanked the congressmen for their support of federal research dollars for Arkansas educators and researchers, and described how research impacts the state and country. Whitman pointed out and provided examples as to how that research improves the classes that students take for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

The group also discussed upcoming legislation, K-12 education, the federal budget, and federal funding for research and development, Whitman said.

In the upper right photo, Dean Whitman and three Arkansas engineering deans meet with U.S. Rep. French Hill. Pictured from left to right are Dean English, Associate Dean Paul Mixon, U.S. Rep. French Hill, Dean Lawrence Whitman, and Dean Neal Barlow.