Right on track with Virginia Tech's goal to be among the top 30 research institutions in the nation, the grand total of research dollars spent this year in the College of Engineering graduate program reached over $100 million. The graduate program came close to spending this amount last year, with research expenditures of $98 million. "The College of Engineering faculty members continue to be recognized for their excellent efforts in fundamental and applied research through positive growth in the success of their funded proposals. Some of our strongest efforts are in the areas of transportation, power electronics, materials, coal and energy, and wireless communications," reports Ed Henneke, associate dean for research and graduate studies in the college.