Dominic M. Halsmer has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from
UCLA and is currently Professor of Engineering and Dean of the College of
Science and Engineering at Oral Roberts University,
which is, of course, a cargo cult institution and not a real university by any stretch of the imagination. As befits someone
in a position like this, Halsmer is – like so many other signatories to the
Discovery Institute’s petition A Scientific Dissent from Darwinism – not a scientist but a cargo cult scientist,
who is “studying how the universe is
engineered to reveal the glory of God and accomplish His purposes.” In
particular, Halsmer is a creationist, and much of his, uh, output consists of
attempts to apply engineering concepts in support of intelligent design; the
results are primarily published on the Internet. Casey Luskin was apparently very impressed with a paper by Halsmer arguing for an
“engineered world” published in the International Journal of Design &
Nature and Ecodynamics (of which we know little – it may be a real journal
but certainly doesn’t sound like it; the volume including Halsmer’s paper also
included an anti-evolution rant by young earth creationist (and engineer) A. C.
McIntosh), which you can read about here and seems to mostly be a regurgitation of Paley’s old watchmaker argument that
points out the “biofriendliness” of the universe (oh, yeah) and referring to
Hoyle,
apparently in blithe and total unawareness of the critical literature on these
issues.
Diagnosis: Another religious fundie and non-scientist who
really, really wants his religious ramblings have anything to do with science –
with the results you’d expect. Halsmer seems like a rather obscure figure, but
Oral Roberts University is one of the more significant pretend universities in
the US, and deserves exposure.
That is an early version of what we call a mission statement today. So, then, how can a mission statement become a guide for decision making and strategic development in an organization? See more statement of purpose mechanical engineering
ReplyDeleteOne small correction, I am a student at ORU. It is a very real and legitimate university. I am in the nursing program, and have worked with several nurses from the school working at hospitals and schools and stuff.
ReplyDeleteIf you come for an education it is good in select few departments (mainly nursing and theology). If you come to expand your mind, experiences, and thoughts on Christianity in general, you need to think about another college instead. It is a giant echochamber and people who are not heterosexual Christians are looked down upon.