Richard Newton became dean of the College of Engineering in 2000. A year after earning his EECS Ph.D. from Berkeley in 1978 he joined the EECS faculty. Since then the Australian native has received numerous awards, been active in industry and contributed to the evaluation and early-stage development of more than two-dozen new companies. His pioneering methodologies and technologies for circuit design and electronic systems architecture are internationally recognized. He served as chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences before becoming dean.

Professor Minute: Interview with Dean Richard Newton

What do you do to forget about engineering and/or work ?

I spend time with my family, either helping with homework, or lately in our efforts at soccer and basketball. I must admit, however, that even when spending time with my family, engineering can't help but creep in occasionally. I often find myself explaining to my daughters how things work (sometimes whether they want to hear it or not!) However, there is no doubt that my family is my most satisfying distraction. My second top distraction is cooking. When I come home from work (on the days I’m not traveling) I usually cook dinner. For me cooking is a form of meditation.

What is your personal recipe for success?

I think a key ingredient has been developing the ability to create perspective and finding enjoyment and satisfaction in almost everything I do, no matter how overwhelming the challenge might seem at the time. Then there’s the recognition that there are very few great things that you can accomplish on your own, without the help, advice and support of others. But all that said, perhaps the most important ingredients in the recipe are focus and passion. Once you have found a vision, give it all your energy and just never give up!

What can a student do to get through your hardest class?

All my classes are hard! If they were easy, it wouldn't be worth my students’ time or mine. But my classes (all classes) are a lot easier if one paces oneself and works consistently throughout the semester, bringing questions to me or to the GSI’s as they arise and not leaving everything until the last minute. Learning to manage and use time effectively is an important life lesson for any student to learn.

Why did you become a professor?

For me, being a professor at the world's best research university provides opportunities that no other position could even remotely come close to. I have the chance to work with the most talented young people in the world (and often find myself learning more from them than they learn from me), to work with an unmatchable collection of faculty, colleagues and staff who are at least as dedicated and passionate about education, research, and U.C. Berkeley as I am, and to work closely with the research staff of the most advanced and visionary companies and agencies on the planet. Also, I have the chance to work at the leading edge (some might say the bleeding edge) of fundamental discovery and invention in fields that have the potential to transform peoples' lives and the world we live in. What more could you ask for?

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