ECS Historic Milestones
1973: Don Gaitros, Ph.D., becomes the first computer science faculty member to join the Department of Mathematics to teach and develop programs in computer science.
1974: The Department of Mathematics offers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in computer science.
1979: The Institute of Engineering Science becomes operational with its first director, James Bargainer, Ph.D.
1980: The Computer Science program in the Department of Mathematics combines with the Engineering Science program in the Institute of Engineering Science to form the Department of Engineering and Computer Science.
1982: The Computer Science program gains national recognition by winning the International Scholastic Programming Contest.
1988: The Department of Engineering and Computer Science moves into the newly constructed Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Building.
1989: The Engineering Program is accredited by the EAC and ABET.
1995: The School of Engineering and Computer Science is formed, with James Bargainer, Ph.D., as dean.
1999: Benjamin Kelley, Ph.D., becomes dean.
2000: Three majors are accredited: electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and engineering.
2003: ECS partners with Campus Living & Learning on the University’s first residential community, the ECS Living-Learning Center, which was housed in the new North Village Residential Community.
2004: The Board of Regents approves the first master’s program in engineering.
2006: The Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are established.
2010: The Board of Regents approve the first Ph.D. degree offered within ECS.
2011: ECE begins offering its Ph.D. Program.
2012: Dennis O’Neal, Ph.D., becomes dean.
2013: Winston Ewert become the first Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D. program graduate.
2013: Students move into Teal Residential College for engineering and computer science students.
2013: ECS faculty open labs in the new 330,000 sq. ft. Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC).
2014: Mechanical Engineering begins offering its Ph.D. Program.
2016: Due to the School’s growth, the Department of Computer Science moves to Hankamer Cashion Academic Center.
2016: Computer Science begins offering its Ph.D. Program.
2017: Sarah Stair becomes the first Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. program graduate.
2023: Daniel Pack, Ph.D., becomes dean.
2024: Amr Elsayed becomes the first Computer Science Ph.D. program graduate.
2025: Jacob Hoarston become the first Materials Science & Engineering Ph.D. program graduate.
2025: Among several new academic programs added under Dean Pack, ECS adds Aerospace Engineering (B.S.A.E.).