The University’s College of Engineering undergraduate programs recently hopped from 89th to 86th in the nation in 2009 U.S. News and World Report rankings.The list ranks the best undergraduate engineering programs where a doctorate degree is offered. LSU is tied for 86th with 15 other universities, including one SEC peer, the University of Kentucky. The rankings are based on a survey conducted in spring 2008. Engineering school deans and two faculty members from each university rated other university undergraduate engineering programs on a scale of one (less recognizable) to five (more recognizable) based on their own familiarity of the other programs.Eligible programs are programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Warren Waggenspack Jr., associate dean for undergraduate programs for the College of Engineering, said although he doesn’t think the rankings are an accurate measure of the program, the fact that the University is moving up is a step in the right direction.”The U.S. News and World Report rankings are a measure of visibility,” Waggenspack said. “They are based on perception of surveyors: Do people know about the product [graduates], and do we produce a quality product?”But Waggenspack said it’s a positive sign University graduates and the undergraduate engineering program are getting more recognition.”LSU is a good dollar value with a quality product, and more people are starting to realize that,” Waggenspack said.Waggenspack said many corporations and industries realize the quality of the engineering program, as 100-200 companies annually interview graduates for jobs.”I’ll match the top 10 percent of our students against any school in the world,” Waggenspack said.Mimi LaValle, College of Engineering associate director of communications and alumni relations, said an important attribute of the program revolves around its ability to retain graduates of science and engineering, graduates who are in high demand.Progress from this point will require investment in infrastructure, Waggenspack said. He said the program has already achieved success with its capital campaign, as many alumni are willing to invest.”Development will be greatly aided by philanthropy and commitment from alumni,” LaValle said.—-Contact Steven Powell at [email protected]