Lawrence Technological University is experiencing one of the most challenging and exciting eras since its founding.
For the past decade, the world has been buzzing about the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Only four revolutions in 250 years, but now AI is reshaping society at breakneck speed. Think about it: what once changed by the decade or century now shifts by the year, sometimes even by the month. When we say the future is here, it’s not a distant concept. It’s like a high-speed train pulling into the station, idling for a moment, then racing off. We can choose to climb aboard or stand back and watch it pass, inching along in our own cars while it whizzes ahead.
This is the new academic reality, and each of us must decide how we’ll move forward. Change can be uncomfortable—even intimidating—but it’s also a chance to redefine what “normal” looks like. The president of Arizona State University, Michael Crow, gave a wonderful talk last month about the future of academia and AI. I suggest taking a few minutes to watch it here.
That’s where excitement lies. I believe our college is taking this challenge head-on, and the changes that have happened in the past five years have put us in a great position to train and mentor the next generation of students. We will lead by example, building trust, being accountable, and continuing to communicate and define the university of today.
Welcome to the Fall 2025 edition of the CoAS e-newsletter and to the great stories about one of our outstanding students, Milan Jostes, faculty member Jessi Hanson DeFusco, Associate Dean Glen Bauer, and many other CoAS successes. In keeping with my thoughts on AI, please read Paul Jaussen’s discussion on AI and the importance of the humanities as we speed headlong into this new revolution.
Let’s enjoy this moment together and see what the future holds!
Patrick Nelson
