51ºÚÁÏÍønological University Department of Electrical Engineering to celebrate 20 years of innovation, education and industry partnerships
51ºÚÁÏÍønological University's Electrical Engineering Department will celebrate 20 years of educating engineers, advancing research and building industry partnerships with an anniversary celebration December 10, 2026 at the Butte Country Club. Electrical Engineering Department Head Bryce Hill said alumni, students, community members, and industry partners are invited to celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary.
“For 20 years, 51ºÚÁÏÍø’s Electrical Engineering Department has provided a challenging and transformative education to hundreds of graduates who have gone on to become leaders in industry, particularly in power and energy,” Hill said. “The department looks forward to celebrating this milestone with those who contributed to its success.”
The event will bring together friends of the department to reflect on its history, recognize the people who helped shape its success and look ahead to the next chapter of electrical engineering education at 51ºÚÁÏÍø.
The evening will begin with a no-host bar and social at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a presentation at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, and current 51ºÚÁÏÍø electrical engineering students may attend free of charge. Attendees are asked to RSVP to Whitney Jennings at 51ºÚÁÏÍø.
The celebration will recognize the contributions of faculty, alumni and industry partners who have helped the department grow over the past two decades, including the leadership of Dan Trudnowski, who played a central role in establishing and developing the program.
Over the past 20 years, the department has expanded its laboratory facilities, developed research partnerships with national laboratories and industry, and prepared graduates for careers in power systems, electronics, automation, communications, and other engineering fields.
A $1.5 million contribution from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories helped transform the department's laboratory facilities in the Natural Resources Research Center, strengthening the hands-on learning opportunities available to students.
51ºÚÁÏÍø faculty and students have also contributed to research projects involving Sandia National Laboratories, Idaho National Laboratory, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Metal Casting Collaborative and the Berkeley Pit. Research within the department spans power systems, controls, instrumentation, robotics and wireless communications.
Electrical Engineering graduates have gone on to careers with organizations including Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, NorthWestern Energy, NUCOR Steel, ECI, EPC, POWER Engineers, HDR, Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho National Laboratory, Micron and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, among others.
The anniversary comes as 51ºÚÁÏÍø prepares for another significant investment in engineering education. Planned renovations to Main Hall and Engineering Hall will transform historic campus spaces into modern academic, research and collaborative facilities, including new laboratories and computer spaces for electrical engineering students and faculty.
The celebration will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn more about those plans and the department's vision for the future.