Alums transforming the student experience

BEar News: Spring 2025

Photo of Michael and Janelle Grimes wearing hard hats and shoveling dirt at the Engineering Center groundbreaking ceremony.

Michael and Janelle Grimes at the 2023 groundbreaking ceremony for the new Grimes Engineering Center at UC Berkeley. (Photo by Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering)

Dear Berkeley Engineering alumni,

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my work as dean is engaging with alumni who provide invaluable feedback and support for continual improvement of our education and research mission. In this issue, we’re celebrating two UC Berkeley alumni, Michael (B.S.’87 EECS) and Janelle Grimes (B.A.’86 PoliSci), exemplars of alumni engagement and leaders in supporting our university. Among their contributions is the founding of the innovative Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology (M.E.T.) dual-degree program between the Haas School of Business and Berkeley Engineering. Michael Grimes also served on several advisory boards at UC Berkeley, including the Engineering Advisory Board for nearly 15 years.

I am happy to share that to honor their generosity and impact, our new Engineering Center will be named after Michael and Janelle Grimes. The new Grimes Engineering Center, a renovated and expanded building complex, will serve as a vibrant hub for student learning and collaboration, as it will house advising, tutoring and career services as well as social and academic events.

Alumni engagement plays a vital role in enabling Berkeley Engineering to support the success and well-being of our students, preparing them to become effective leaders in their chosen careers. Contributions — no matter the size — help us maintain our excellence as the top public engineering program in the nation. Next Thursday, March 13, UC Berkeley will launch its annual Big Give fundraising event. I hope you will be inspired to help Berkeley Engineering in its mission while competing in fun contests and matching challenges!

As many of you already know, this will be my last semester as dean, as I am planning to serve as president of the National Academy of Engineering beginning July 1, 2025. I am grateful for all the opportunities that UC Berkeley has provided me, and for the collaboration and support of many members of the Berkeley Engineering community, over the past 29 years. Together we have had a transformative impact on people and society, through our collective contributions to engineering education and research. I am confident that Berkeley Engineering will continue to shine as the leading public school of engineering — a model of collaboration, innovation, excellence and societal impact. Fiat Lux!

With gratitude and best wishes,

Tsu-Jae King Liu
Dean and Roy W. Carlson Professor
Berkeley Engineering