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Remembering Denice Denton

 

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Denice Denton

We remember and celebrate the achievements of Denice Denton, the original PI of our ADVANCE IT grant. The first female Dean of Engineering at a major research university in the United States, Denice was a pioneering leader who significantly advanced the state of research, teaching, mentoring and diversity in engineering and technology across the nation. A powerful and highly effective force for change, Denice was an inspiration and role model to countless engineers and scientists.

The widespread impact that Denice achieved was accomplished through her dedicated efforts at several levels: mentoring of individuals, leading change in her own institution and local community, and serving on influential national committees. Whether working in small or large groups, her bold vision and decisive energy infused her colleagues with the courage to move forward in making the changes needed in engineering and science. While Dean, Denice co-founded the Center for Engineering, Leadership and Technology at the University of Washington. Following this model, Stanford, Harvard and Princeton have each established similar centers.

Denice received many awards and honors including the Presidential Young Investigator Award in Electrical Engineering from the National Science Foundation in 1986, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in 2004, and the Maria Mitchell Women in Science Award in 2006 for her work in developing programs at universities and with neighboring organizations to encourage women and girls to study science, technology, engineering and math. She was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.