Gerald B. Stringfellow, "born to be an engineer" and the author of more than 300 technical papers and several books, has been appointed the new dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Utah.
Stringfellow had been chairman of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and is a professor in that department. He replaces David W. Pershing, who left after 11 years as dean to become senior vice president of academic affairs.Before he joined the U. faculty in 1980, Stringfellow had a career in private industry, including 10 years as a project manager for Hewlett Packard Laboratories.
He graduated from the U. in 1964 with a bachelor of science degree in ceramic engineering. The next year he received his master's degree in materials science from Stanford University. He earned his doctorate, also in materials science, from Stanford in 1967.
Among Stringfellow's honors are the Alexander von Humboldt U.S. Senior Scientist Award, the University of Utah Distinguished Research Award and the Governor's Medal for Science and Technology.
He was named distinguished professor in 1996 and is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Saying he was "born to be an engineer," Stringfellow added that he believes the role of the engineer in American society is changing. Engineers now tend to become high-level managers or founders or leaders of major companies. One of his goals as dean is to help potential students and their parents understand this change.
He also wants the college to prepare engineers for not only technological careers but as economic and social leaders. Stringfellow said he wants to attract more of the country's top engineering students.
"This is truly an excellent engineering school. We have nationally ranked programs in several disciplines and a new bioengineering undergraduate degree that should appeal to students with biomedical and biotechnical interests," he said.
Strengthening ties with industry is another of his objectives. "A college of engineering thrives when surrounded by industry," he said.
"I would like to forge stronger ties to local companies and will work with the governor's office to bring more industry to Utah."
Stringfellow has served two terms as chairman of the Materials Science and Engineering Department, from 1982 to 1985 and from 1994 until this appointment.