Paul Parker, recently retired assistant dean in the UI College of Engineering and the director of the minority engineering program. Since Parker became director of the UI's minority engineering program in 1973, the number of minority undergraduate engineering students at the university has grown from 92 in 1969 to 400 in 2000. Over the years Parker has garnered numerous honors and awards for his professional accomplishments and his commitment to minority student education. Among Parker's many honors are being included in the "International Who's Who of Information Technology (2000)," being named outstanding faculty member for 1992 by the UIUC Dad's Association and being named black engineer of the year in 1991 by U.S. Black Engineer magazine.