President´s column

It is a great pleasure for me to assume office in the same year that we publish the first issue of the Circuits and Systems Magazine. For many years I have felt that our Society needed to publish more articles relevant to the practicing engineer. It is my hope that this magazine will accomplish that goal. Of course, the concept of a Circuits and Systems Magazine did not materialize overnight, but began in 1973 when Dick Saeks became editor of our Society´s Newsletter. Under his leadership the appearance of the Newsletter was significantly improved and more technical articles began to appear. Under the leadership of his successors, John Chma, Jr. (1975–1976), and Steve Bass (1977–1978) the quality of our Newsletter continued to improve so that in 1978 we were able to obtain approval from the IEEE Publications Board to issue the Circuits and Systems Magazine. The Magazine will automatically be sent to Society members without additional cost, and in addition libraries and nonmembers now have the opportunity to subscribe to the magazine or to purchase single issues. I have great confidence that Mike Soderstrand will continue to provide the leadership necessary to produce a quality magazine that is widely respected in our profession.