Undergraduate Programs

William Krenik

Class of '93

Where do you currently work and what is your job title?

I work at Texas Instruments as a Custom CTO.

In what ways did the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department prepare you for your current position?

The excellent technical training within ECE prepared me for my career at Texas Instruments. The great school, the ECE Department’s reputation, and the city that surrounds us sets all students up for success!

Arun Gupta

Class of '12

What did you study within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UTD?

I studied Electrical Engineering (MEMS and Microsystems).

Where do you currently work and what is your job title?

I’m am the Founder and CEO of Skyven Technologies.

In what ways did the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department prepare you for your current position?

The department gave me the flexibility to pursue my PhD while maintaining full-time employment at Texas Instruments. This flexibility has been crucial in setting me for my current role as Founder of a renewable energy company!

Alan Ladd

Class of '96

Alan is an alumnus of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Texas at Dallas and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He is the lead ACIS design engineer for educational technology products at Texas Instruments Inc. (TI). He currently lives in Frisco with his wife and their dog Fred, pictured above. In his free time, Alan enjoys volunteering as a verger, vestry member and a lay Eucharist minister for his church. He also enjoys collecting and repairing antique radios. Alan and his wife of 29 years have two children. Their son Adron is a fellow alumnus of UT Dallas and has served our in Iraq as an EOD specialist in the U.S. Army. Their daughter Emily is a graduate of Texas State University. Read below to learn more about Alan and his experiences at UT Dallas.

1. Tell us the highlights of your professional career. What is your proudest achievement?

I was selected twice to the TI Member of Technical Staff.

2. What brought you to UT Dallas?

I was interested in electronics since I was young. In high school I played with radio and TV sets, and I was my neighborhood’s local fix-it guy. After earning my associate’s degree in Toledo, Ohio, I was hired by TI as a technician. I soon realized I was interested in design but wasn’t able to make the transition at TI without the necessary coursework. Fortunately, UT Dallas began offering an electrical engineering degree focusing on microchip technology and enrolling juniors and seniors. Like many of our alumni, I took some preparatory classes at Collin County Community College, then enrolled part time as a junior at UT Dallas, attending classes in the evening. In 1996, I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in Microchip Technology.

3. What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?

My favorite memories include the good friendships I made. I still keep in contact with them, including one of his lab partners who was a classmate back at Collin County Community College. I enjoy bringing my kids to the campus and showing off the major growth over the years.

4. What inspired you to start giving to UT Dallas as an alumnus?

I started giving because of the quality of education I received at the University and how it has helped me in my career. I was also inspired by the former UT Dallas President Franklyn Jenifer who visited the TI campus and asked all alumni to give. President Jenifer explained the importance of alumni participation.