The Story of BCOE
The Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering at UC Riverside has built a legacy of engineering excellence, public-impact research, inclusive education and regional partnership.
Its story begins with vision, entrepreneurship and philanthropy — and continues through the students, faculty, alumni and partners shaping the next era of engineering.
A young college with a powerful record of impact
In its first 30 years, BCOE has made remarkable contributions in engineering research and education while growing as part of UC Riverside and the University of California system.
The college’s history is shaped by barrier-breaking leadership, transformational support, research breakthroughs, industry collaboration and a commitment to expanding opportunity in engineering.
Built on excellence. Focused on what comes next.
BCOE has achieved major milestones in a relatively short history. The next era brings new possibilities for students, faculty, alumni and partners working together to address complex challenges.
We Engineer Excellence by connecting discovery, education and collaboration with the needs of the region and the world.
Bourns family commencement photo, 2012, with Marlan and Rosemary Bourns.
The vision behind the college name
The college is named in honor of Marlan and Rosemary Bourns, founders of Bourns, Inc., an international electronics corporation. In recognition of a generous gift from The Bourns Foundation in 1994, the college was named for the couple and their role in bringing UCR closer to its vision of becoming a nationally recognized leader in engineering research and education.
Bourns, Inc. began in 1947 with a vision of providing electronic solutions to industrial issues. The company’s early innovations included the first miniature linear motion and vane position potentiometers, and the business grew into a global corporation through continued technological innovation.
With the company’s international headquarters located near the college, Marlan and Rosemary Bourns built a close relationship with UCR. Their son, Gordon Bourns, now leads Bourns, Inc. as chairman and chief executive and serves as chair of the college’s Council of Advisors.
Although Rosemary and Marlan Bourns passed away in 2012 and 2014, respectively, the Bourns family continues to foster the company’s relationship with UCR through philanthropy, STEM outreach, Bourns Engineering Day and continued support for engineering education.
Bourns, Inc. Begins
Marlan and Rosemary Bourns founded a company built on electronic solutions and technological innovation.
A Naming Gift
The Bourns Foundation’s gift helped strengthen UCR’s vision for a nationally recognized engineering college.
Community Outreach
Bourns, Inc. continues to support STEM outreach and sponsors Bourns Engineering Day for young learners.
Endowed Support
The Bourns Foundation supports students through an endowed scholarship fund and ongoing support for the college.
A legacy of firsts, breakthroughs and opportunity
BCOE’s history reflects the college’s commitment to research, access, collaboration and preparation for the future of engineering.
Breaking Barriers
Founding Dean Susan Hackwood became the country’s first woman to lead an engineering college at a major research institution.
Building Momentum
Support from Ford Motor Company, The Bourns Foundation and Winston Chung helped advance the college’s trajectory.
Advancing Research
BCOE’s research portfolio has grown to national prominence across air quality, sustainability, secure systems and biological time.
Expanding Access
BCOE educates and advances one of the nation’s most diverse engineering student bodies.
Leadership that shaped a college
BCOE opened its doors with a barrier-breaking founding story. Susan Hackwood served as founding dean and became the country’s first woman to lead an engineering college at a major research institution.
Record-setting support from Ford Motor Company, The Bourns Foundation and entrepreneur Winston Chung helped place the college on a steady upward trajectory.
Former Dean Reza Abbaschian, Former Associate Dean Mark Matsumoto and Founding Dean Susan Hackwood celebrate the college’s 25th anniversary.
Research with national prominence
BCOE’s research portfolio has expanded rapidly. The college contributes to major research efforts in biological time, robust and secure learning-based networked systems, sustainability and air quality.
CE-CERT remains one of the country’s leading air quality research centers focused on sustainability, and BCOE’s junior faculty have been highly productive in earning National Science Foundation CAREER Awards.
Explore Research Impact
Researchers at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology, CE-CERT, stand amid technology used for heavy-duty vehicle and engine research.
Collaboration that connects research and region
BCOE faculty and students benefit from well-equipped research labs and long-standing collaborations with industry and government partners.
Partnerships involving CE-CERT, AVL, the California Air Resources Board, the City of Riverside and regional technology initiatives help position Riverside as an emerging center for clean technology and engineering innovation.
Partner With BCOE
Concept design of UCR’s OASIS technology park.
Meeting the education needs of tomorrow
BCOE continues to expand academic pathways that prepare students for complex engineering challenges. The college has advanced programs in data science, online engineering education, B.S.+M.S. pathways and robotics.
These programs reflect what BCOE does best: multidisciplinary, innovative research and education that prepares graduates to contribute to industry, academia and society.
Explore Programs
Computer engineering students test their programmed robots.
A story of innovation, philanthropy and engineering excellence
BCOE’s history is defined by leadership, partnership, research strength and a continued commitment to expanding opportunity.
Bourns, Inc.
Marlan and Rosemary Bourns launch an electronics company
Bourns, Inc. began with a vision of providing electronic solutions to industrial issues and grew through innovations such as miniature linear motion and vane position potentiometers.
Naming Gift
Honoring Marlan and Rosemary Bourns
The college was named in recognition of a generous gift from The Bourns Foundation, honoring Marlan and Rosemary Bourns and strengthening the college’s vision for engineering research and education.
Diversity Recognition
Championing diversity in engineering
BCOE received the ABET Claire Felbinger Award for recruiting, retaining and advancing undergraduate and graduate students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Rosemary Bourns
Remembering Rosemary Bourns
Rosemary Bourns’ legacy continues through the Bourns family’s connection to UCR, student support, STEM outreach and the college that bears her name.
Marlan Bourns
Remembering Marlan Bourns
Marlan Bourns’ legacy of innovation, entrepreneurship and community investment continues to shape engineering education at UC Riverside.
Presidential Chair
Establishing endowed faculty support
The Bourns Foundation agreed to establish the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns Presidential Chair in Engineering, an endowed fund matched by the UC Office of the President to support outstanding faculty and graduate students.
Robotics
Launching new engineering pathways
The college launched the UC system’s first Master of Science degree in robotics, combining coursework in computer science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.
Next Era
Preparing for the next generation of Highlander Engineers
BCOE continues to advance research, educate inclusive engineering talent and build partnerships that serve students, the region and the public good.
Expanding access to engineering excellence
BCOE is a leader in educating and advancing one of the most diverse student bodies in the country. The college is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a member of the ASEE Diversity Recognition Program.
With high percentages of first-generation, low-income and Pell Grant recipient students, BCOE contributes to UCR’s national leadership in social mobility.
Learn More About Diversity at BCOEHelp shape BCOE’s next chapter
BCOE’s history is still being written through the work of students, faculty, alumni, staff and partners who advance engineering knowledge and expand opportunity.