ITHACA, N.Y. -- We know that Cornell University engineering graduates often rise through the ranks to executive positions, or found and manage new companies of their own. Is there something special about an engineering education that prepares a person for leadership?

The Cornell Engineering Alumni Association (formerly Cornell Society of Engineers) will explore that question in this year's annual conference April 21-23 on campus. The conference is titled "Engineering as a Foundation for Business Leadership: Tales from the Frontlines."

Speakers and panel discussions will feature a number of alumni reporting on their own experiences in the business world.

Daniel Simpkins '80, M.Eng. '81, founder of Hillcrest Communications, will open the conference Thursday afternoon, delivering the William Ohaus Memorial Lecture on the "Ten Laws of Entrepreneurship." W. Kent Fuchs, the Joseph Silbert Dean of the College of Engineering, will welcome the participants on Friday morning and deliver an address titled "Leadership in Academia."

Other speakers and panelists include:

• Charles F. Knight '58, MBA '59, chairman emeritus, Emerson Electric;
• Raj Gupta, M.S. '69 chairman and CEO, Rohm and Haas (specialty materials);
• Jim Seay '84, president, Premier Rides (roller coasters);
• Alan Harbitter '78, Chief Operating Officer, PEC Solutions (computer systems & security);
• David Lederman '66, Ph.D. '73, founder, ABIOMED (inventor of the artificial heart);
• Fred Keller '66, chairman and CEO, Cascade Engineering (engineered plastics);
• Charles "Chip" McClure '75, CEO, ArvinMeritor (auto components);
• Lisa Skeete Tatum '89, Cardinal Partners;
• John Callister, the Kinzelberg Director of Enterprise Engineering
• Peter Jackson, director of the Cornell Systems Engineering Program; and
• Linda Nozick, Cornell professor of civil and environmental engineering.

  Further information is available on the association's Web site at http://www.ceaa.cornell.edu .

  Further information is available on the association's Web site at http://www.ceaa.cornell.edu .