2006 Panelist John Brighton, research provost at Iowa State University and former assistant director of engineering at the National Science Foundation.

    
The Charles and Helen White Symposium explores the relationship between engineering innovation and modern society, and may address technical, economic, cultural, political, sociological and other considerations. This significant academic event is made possible through a generous endowment by Distinguished Alumnus Charles M. White, and his wife, Helen White.

Typically the White Symposium focuses on the work of the most recent inductee in the Clark School's Innovation Hall of Fame. For example, in 2006 the theme of the symposium was "Innovation: Fueling a Communications Revolution," and featured Barry West, Andrew Viterbi, and Rajiv Laroia, founder and CTO of Flarion Technologies (now QUALCOMM Flarion Technologies), the 2006 Innovation Hall of Fame inductee. The symposium may also address an engineering innovation unrelated to the Innovation Hall of Fame, at the discretion of the dean.

Charles M. White graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1913, and married Helen Bradley five years later. White's career in mechanical engineering progressed rapidly. In 1930, he joined Republic Steel Corporation as assistant vice president of operations, and was elected chairman and chief executive officer in 1956, after serving 11 years as president. He is credited with many improvements in steel manufacturing. White received numerous awards and served both as a civic leader and as a trustee to many organizations. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1960.

The White Symposium is open to the public and is free of charge. All are welcome.

Charles M. White, benefactor of the White Symposium