TULANE ALUM SUPPORTS MAKER SPACE Maker-in-Chief Cedric Walker in Tulane’s Maker Space.
With its wide range of available tools, from cutting edge 3-D printers to traditional metal and wood lathes, the School of Science and Engineering’s Maker Space allows students to transform their visions into reality. But according to Tulane alumnus James Dillard, III, the Maker Space has the capacity to transform the students as well, making them better equipped to succeed. Dillard began his career at Tulane, receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biomedical engineering. In his current role as Senior Vice President of Altria Group, he is in a unique position to see the importance of hands-on training. “I’ve watched a slow burn of engineers who are super smart and who can think theoretically but have no practical experience,” Dillard says. He sees the School of Science and Engineering as breaking that mold. As a judge for the Novel Tech Challenge, he has experienced firsthand the Tulane difference.
“Students can think on their feet, tell a story and function in teams. They know how to present themselves and how to act professionally, and they have the softer skills as well. Experiences like the Novel Tech Challenge and the Maker Space encourage teamwork and crossfunctionality. It’s more of what we need moving forward in industry and what we need from the university graduates as they move into a professional setting.” Dillard has been dedicated to advancing the School of Science and Engineering for many years, and when the opportunity to support the Maker Space arose, he saw a second opportunity as well. Dillard named the Cedric Walker Gallery for Ideas, Designs and Strategies for his former professor and mentor, who now serves in a new role as Maker-in-Chief. “I’ve always been motivated by people who have passion. And it shows in the way Cedric teaches. He is tough, but he is thoughtful and considerate. Cedric’s name should be on something that captures the fact that we have a brilliant person who thinks we need to have a space that will improve the students’ abilities.”
“Students have multiple ways to approach a problem, through technology of a higher order or through technology that quite frankly takes hands and effort. The Maker Space gives them the capability of learning both ways. It’s more education than just the tech itself.” - James Dillard, III