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Alumnus at Trane Calls UT Tyler College of Engineering Best Value in Texas

BaileyUT Tyler alumnus John J. Bailey came from humble beginnings, growing up in the small East Texas town of Golden, a 45-minute drive north of Tyler. Now, as the furnace engineering manager in Trane Technologies’ Residential HVAC & Supply Business Unit, he sees the benefit of providing high-quality products to customers.

Convinced to enroll at UT Tyler by his mother, an alumna, he found a high-quality educational experience at the University, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Bailey looks for ways to give back to the school that gave him so much, while investing in future generations.

He is also thankful that UT Tyler gave him the skills he needed to be successful in the workplace and impact his community. Based on his personal experience and working in industry with engineers from other “top-tier” engineering schools, Bailey says UT Tyler offers the same – if not a better – experience for engineering students compared to the competition.

“The smaller class size especially offers an advantage that the bigger schools just can’t offer,” he said. “I like to joke with Dr. (Javier) Kypuros (college dean) that UT Tyler is the “corvette” of engineering schools in the US. The corvette sports car is known as the best deal in super cars when comparing horsepower to dollars, and likewise, I believe the UT Tyler College of Engineering is, “value to dollars,” the best deal out there.”

Bailey gives back to the College of Engineering in various ways, including donating to building enhancements, sponsoring senior design projects and serving as a member of the COE Advisory Board. He calls naming the college’s Thermal Fluid Mechanical Engineering Laboratory one of his proudest achievements.

“As a former refrigeration engineer and now a leader of a combustion engineering group, naming the thermal fluid lab is very gratifying," Bailey said. “Before school, I didn’t realize that you use the thermal-fluid sciences when designing refrigeration and heating systems, and that is the field of engineering that I enjoy the most. I am hopeful that other young engineers can discover the field of study that truly ignites their passion in this tremendous facility.”

While UT Tyler’s engineering college is relatively young compared to others in Texas, Bailey believes UT Tyler will grow its reputation throughout the state and nation, noting the college has thrived under Kypuros’ leadership. He credits the generous financial aid and personable education he received from the college as the reason he continues to stay actively involved.

“It is an honor to be able to pay back the investment made in me for investment in generations to come,” Bailey said. “I am grateful to be given the opportunity to lend whatever assistance I can to grow that legacy and reputation.”

The College of Engineering was recently named a top 100 Engineering School by US News and World Report. Bailey believes the college will one day break through the “Top 20” list.

“I am also confident that student enrollment rates will continue to increase, and UT Tyler students will continue to fill a large need in the local economy. UT Tyler students are definitely in demand,” he said. 

So, what advice does the alumnus offer UT Tyler students?

“Be open to new opportunities and experiences, even if they seem uncomfortable or not on your ‘plan.’ You never know where they may lead you,” he said. 

Bailey and his wife, Erin, are the proud parents of twins, Henry and Coralie. A self-proclaimed “outdoors person,” Bailey enjoys upland bird hunting with his dog, Lottie.

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