Mission

The Wind Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Center at Texas Tech University distinguishes itself as an internationally recognized leader in research, education, and knowledge transfer on the effects of wind on people and the environment.

Vision

The Wind Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Center will continue to perform advanced and innovative multidisciplinary research to mitigate the deleterious effects of windstorms on the built environment, people (and their quality of life) and to utilize the beneficial effects of wind. Through research we provide educational experiences that prepare students for technical and leadership roles in private practice, industry, government and academia. We will be the place of choice for interested students, professionals and industry for wind-related research, education, outreach and community engagement.
The Wind Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Center at Texas Tech University was established in 1970, following a tornado in Lubbock that caused 26 fatalities and more than $100 million in damage. Thirty-five years later, more than five thousand MW of wind power facilities has been developed in the region – with Lubbock situated at the geo-center of development and ranking. Texas is first in the nation in wind power capacity.
The WISE Center focuses on research, education and information outreach and offers the only doctoral program in Wind Science and Engineering in the nation. The comprehensive and multidisciplinary research program aspires to exploit useful qualities of wind and to mitigate its detrimental effects. The Center offers a multidisciplinary education in wind science and engineering to develop professionals who are expert in wind-related research leading to the doctorate in Wind Science and Engineering. The Center develops information on windstorm disaster mitigation, wind power systems and other wind-related subjects for professionals and the public. The WISE Center has thirty-six faculty affiliates from twelve academic departments, three research associates, ten professional staff members, and twenty-one graduate students. Research and education awards totaled more than $3.5 million for calendar year 2008.
The accomplishments and success of the Center through the past year are due entirely to the vision, dedication, hard work and collaborative spirit of our professional staff, faculty affiliates and students. It is through these combined efforts and commitment that the Center will continue to be successful in the future.