Congratulations go out to ACerS member Elizabeth Dickey for being tapped as the next dean of the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering at Texas Tech University. Dickey has been active in and is past chair of ACerS’ Basic Science Division.
In a news release from Texas Tech, Provost Bob Smith said Dickey was selected from a field of over 50 applicants. “We appreciate Beth’s record as a scientist, faculty member and academic leader at one of the nation’s foremost materials science programs,” Smith said.
“Texas Tech has a long history of success in its engineering programs,” said Guy Bailey, president of Texas Tech. “We look forward to Beth leading the Whitacre College of Engineering in the next phases of cutting-edge research and educational programs and as we explore new areas of energy production, storage, integration and infrastructure.”
“It is an exciting and potentially transformative time in the history of Texas Tech University,” said Dickey, “The institution is poised to increase its stature and impact as one of Texas’ great public research universities, and the Whitacre College of Engineering will play a critical role in successfully realizing the university’s goals and aspirations.”
Dickey, who will assume her new position at the university Jan. 1, 2011, is now a professor of materials science and engineering and the associate director of the Materials Research Institute at Pennsylvania State University. Dickey’s full bio is available here.
Her academic and research interests include nanomaterials for electrical and sensing applications, interface materials science, high-temperature ceramic composites, transmission electron microscopy and residual stress analysis in textured composites.
Currently, Whitacre College has eight engineering focuses: civil and environmental, chemical, construction and engineering technology, computer science, electrical and computer, industrial, mechanical and petroleum.