Systems Council Newsletter: Q4 2024 President's Message

I am grateful to write this final message to IEEE Systems Council participants as my term comes to an end. It seems that the time has gone by very quickly, yet much was accomplished. Here is a brief list:

- Began the Online Distinguished Lecture Program (34 delivered to date)
- Doubled the number of engineering scholarships and increased the funding for each
- Returned to in-person conference attendance at SYSCON, ISSE, and RASSE
- Conducted a student paper competition at SYSCON
- Held receptions for WiSE, YP, and LM participants at SYSCON
- Initiated a History Column and began recording oral histories
- Supported senior member nominations (over 70 elevated)
- Revamped the Systems Council website
- Sponsored the IEEE Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) Student Leadership Conference
- Sponsored the inaugural IEEE Life Member Conference

2025 will mark the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the IEEE Systems Council. Plans are underway to celebrate the event at our flagship conference, the International Systems Conference (SYSCON) as we return to the Delta Hotel in Montreal, Canada on April 7-10, 2025. You can find more information at https://2025.ieeesyscon.org/

I am pleased to welcome Andy Chen as President of the Systems Council as he officially begins his two-year term on January 1, 2025. I am confident that Andy will lead the Council to even greater things.

Best Regards,
Walt Downing
President, 2023-2024