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[July 2009]
Alfred University Appoints First Woman as Dean of School of Engineering
Dr Doreen Edwards, who has been Associate Dean of the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred University (Alfred, NY, USA), becomes Dean of the School this week. She is the first woman to be appointed to this position.
In announcing Dr Edwards’s appointment, Dr Suzanne Buckley, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said: “Dr Edwards will bring her success in academe and industry to leadership of the School. As Associate Dean, she has proven herself to be a talented administrator who is committed to leading the school to its next level of excellence and to building internal and external partnerships”.
Dr Edwards, Dr Buckley noted, will build upon her excellent reputation as a teacher and researcher, as well as a familiarity with the University. “Her experience in all those areas will serve us well as we move forward with several initiatives, including implementation of both the University’s and the School’s strategic plans; creation of a high-temperature materials testing laboratory with a $4 million grant obtained from New York State; and preparing for renewal of national (ABET) accreditation of our engineering programs,” Dr Buckley added.
“This is an exciting time for engineering at Alfred,” said Doreen Edwards. “I am looking forward to this opportunity to lead the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering to its next level of excellence.
“The School is well poised to become a leader in innovative engineering education because of our small size and devotion to student-centered education. The School has never been in a better position with regard to facilities. Considerable investments from New York State, coupled with our historic ties to industry, put us in a good position to support economic development of the region, and the state.
“The recent appointment of two Inamori professors (endowed chairs) and two new faculty members will enable us to grow our research program to address needs in the fields of energy, environment and health care.”
Dr Edwards has been Associate Dean of the School of Engineering since 2007, and had been director of graduate engineering programmes for the School from 2003-2007. She joined the Alfred University faculty in 1997 as an assistant professor of materials science and engineering and earned promotion to associate professor in 2003, and to full professor in 2007.
She has received accolades for her teaching, including an Excellence in Teaching Award from Alfred University in 2002, the John F McMahon Excellence in Teaching Award in 2004 and the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, also in 2004.
As a researcher, Dr Edwards’ interests include materials for electrical, optical and energy-conversion applications, such as solid-oxide fuel cells, batteries, sensors, thermoelectric devices, concentrated solar power and solid-state lighting.
www.alfred.edu
ENDS