University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Engineering -- Other Materials (Newsletters, Tennessee Engineer Newsletter Reports, Etc.) Spring 2008 Tennessee Engineer Spring 2008 College of Engineering Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk-tennengineer Recommended Citation College of Engineering, "Tennessee Engineer Spring 2008" (2008). Tennessee Engineer Newsletter. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk-tennengineer/9 This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by the Engineering -- Other Materials (Newsletters, Reports, Etc.) at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Tennessee Engineer Newsletter by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ENGIG NEER Vol. X• Issue II • Spring 2008 ÊÊ iÜÃiÌÌiÀÊvÀÊÕÊ>`ÊÀi`ÃÊvÊÌ iÊ1ÛiÀÃÌÞÊvÊ/iiÃÃii½ÃÊ i}iÊvÊ }iiÀ} Dean Kuo to Leave COE - Dr. Wayne Davis Named Interim Dean Dr. Wayne T. Davis has been named as the interim dean of the College of Engineering (COE) after the resignation of Dr. Way Kuo. From the Dean’s Desk Davis, currently COE associate dean for research and technology, will become the Dear College of Engineer- • COE graduate enrollment reached a interim dean effective May 10. ing Alumni, Supporters, record high (Ph.D. enrollment “Wayne has served our campus and the col- Faculty, Staff, Students and doubled); undergraduate enrollment is lege for more than 30 years, and his knowl- Friends: the highest it has been in the past 14 edge and leadership will be the right fit for As we begin 2008, I years; the college as we move to find the next dean,” would like to thank • we now have the largest amount of said UT Knoxville Provost Robert Holub. our faculty and staff capital money for new buildings in Davis received his bachelor’s degree in physics for their hard work the history of the college; from Pfeiffer Col- and dedication dur- • COE research expenditures have lege (now Pfeiffer ing this past year. doubled and NSF awards have University) in Once again, many quadrupled; Misenheimer, N.C.; exciting things have happened, including: a master’s in phys- the groundbreaking ceremony for the Min • we have been able to make significant ics from Clemson Kao Electrical Engineering and Computer salary rewards and adjustments to University and a Science (EECS) Building; the establishment performing faculty and staff members. master’s in environ- of the merged EECS department, along As we have implemented accountability and mental engineering with the appointment of its new head, performance-based recognition in the college, and Ph.D. in civil Dr. Kevin Tomsovic; hosting the National I have enjoyed a great deal of support from engineering from Science Foundation (NSF) Conference, at- the current COE and departmental leader- UT Knoxville. tended by 1,100 participants; visits by many ship. I am also appreciative of the strong world renowned academic leaders; and nu- leadership and ongoing support from former Davis joined the merous accomplishments which have been Department of Civ- Wayne Davis, Associate Dean Chancellor Crabtree, Provost Holub, the highly complimented by our constituents COE Board of Advisors, the campus commu- il & Environmental across the country. Engineering as an instructor of environ- nity and ORNL administrators, researchers mental engineering in 1974 and became an By now, you may have heard that I am and staff. assistant professor in 1975. He was named an departing the University of Tennessee for During the balance of my term here, I will associate professor in 1979, and became a full the City University of Hong Kong in May. make certain that the college continues effi- professor in the department in 1984. Davis As its next president, I am honored by City cient operations, and I will maintain our high also served as assistant dean of the Graduate University’s trust in my ability to advance goals and standards while implementing our School from 1985 to 1998 and as the school’s their mission and academic programs. I academic agenda, without any compromise associate dean from 1988 until 1991. He was have been here at UT for almost five years, on quality and accountability. the university’s 2003 Macebearer. and during that time I have been privileged to lead the College of Engineering, with I trust that the college will continue to excel Davis’ research areas are air quality manage- contributions from many others, to make under the future leadership. I have enjoyed ment and pollution control. He is a Qualified great strides in academics and outreach. my years here in the UT College of Engineer- Environmental Professional and is a member For example: ing, and I offer my best wishes for continued of numerous professional and academic and success to both the university and the college. honorary societies, including the Air and • The COE has now climbed to the Waste Management Association, the Ameri- highest rankings ever in both the can Society of Civil Engineers and the Ameri- undergraduate and graduate Thank you for your ongoing interest and can Society of Engineering Educators. programs, and it is now one of the support of our college. most improved engineering Best regards, The search for a permanent COE dean is now programs in the country; underway, with a search committee chaired by UT Knoxville Vice Chancellor for Research • the quality of our undergraduates and Engagement Brad Fenwick and Dr. is now the best in the college’s Bamin Khomami, professor and head of the history; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular • the graduation and retention rates Way Kuo Engineering. have reached the highest on record; Dean of Engineering and Story by Kim Cowart University Distinguished Professor COLLEGE news A Message from Interim COE Hosts 2008 NSF CMMI Conference in Knoxville Chancellor Jan Simek Dear College of Engineering Alumni, Donors and Friends: By now, many of you have heard about the changes in leadership for both the University of Tennessee- Knoxville campus and the College of Engineering. I would like to take this op- portunity to provide you with more information about these transitions. Interim Chancellor I was asked to take on the Jan Simek Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen opens the Welcome Ceremony for the 2008 NSF CMMI Conference. responsibilities of interim Seated at the head table (left to right) are Dr. Lee Riedenger, professor of physics and the conference co- chancellor for the UT-Knoxville campus after chair; City of Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam; UT-Knoxville Provost Bob Holub; COE Dean Way Kuo; Michael the resignation of Dr. Loren Crabtree in January M. Reischman, Deputy Assistant Director for Engineering, NSF; and UT System President John Petersen. 2008. As many of you know, I had served as Dr. Crabtree’s chief of staff since 2005, and prior to The University of Tennessee College of Engi- Total attendance for this premier conference that held positions as Interim Dean of the College neering welcomed the world to Knoxville as was 1,100 participants, including over 200 of Architecture and Design, Head of the Anthro- the host of the National Science Foundation’s students. To encourage student participation pology Department, and Interim Director of the (NSF) Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing In- in the conference, student travel grant awards School of Art. I have a strong commitment to novation Engineering Research and Innovation were given on a competitive basis to almost 250 continuing the university’s progress in all of our Conference 2008, at the Knoxville Convention student applicants. Funding for these travel mission areas, including academics and research. Center (KCC) January 7-10, 2008. grants was provided by the COE, Missouri The UT-Knoxville administration has an outstand- University of Science and Technology (formerly ing group of capable administrators in place to the University of Missouri-Rolla) and Arizona assist us in our work. Contents State University. On Feb. 27, 2008, the search committee for the College News ...................................... 2 Conference activities included more than 500 chancellor’s position, chaired by Dr. Harry (Hap) poster presentations, in addition to workshops McSween, a Distinguished Professor of Science Faculty News ....................................... 3 and plenary and breakout sessions on funding and the former dean of the College of Arts and Research Notes .................................... 4 prospects, proposal writing and research needs, Sciences, selected the firm of Parker Executive Search to assist us in finding a new chancellor. Student Focus ..................................... 6 opportunities and best practices. NSF program directors conducted many of the sessions. The Based on the committee’s consultations with the Alumni Profile ...................................... 8 conference also provided an excellent oppor- search firm, we expect to have primary candidates Development Notes .............................. 9 tunity for participants to network with other selected and on campus early in the next academic year. Alumni News ..................................... 10 researchers and develop collaborative efforts Also in this edition of Tennessee Engineer, Dean Honors & Awards ............................... 11 An opening reception was one of the highlights Way Kuo is providing information about his Calendar and Contact Info ................... 12 of the first day’s activities.