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Alabama's Greene is new dean of engineering

Dec. 10, 2004

KALAMAZOO--An industrial engineer with a track record in academic leadership and service to industry has been selected to lead Western Michigan University's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Dr. Timothy J. Greene, assistant vice president for research and academic affairs at the University of Alabama, will take the reins as dean of WMU's engineering college in April. His appointment, which was approved by the University's Board of Trustees Dec. 10, includes a tenured appointment as a faculty member in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.

"Professor Greene has had an outstanding academic and administrative career, and he brings with him solid experience in such important areas as graduate education, research, corporate collaboration and fund raising," says Dr. Linda Delene, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "With his leadership, we expect this important college to continue and grow in its multiple roles of serving students, advancing our research agenda and working in partnership with the community."

Greene has been in his current role at Alabama since July. Before accepting the position, he had served as dean of the College of Engineering there since 1999. Prior to joining the administration at Alabama, he was associate dean for research for four years at Oklahoma State University, and he earlier served for four years as head of OSU's School of Industrial Engineering and Management. In addition, Greene was a faculty member at Virginia Tech from 1980 to 1991.

"I'm very pleased to have this opportunity to lead this outstanding college," Greene said of his new role. "The college has wonderful new facilities, an excellent faculty and staff, and a top-notch and energetic student body. With these attributes, we'll continue to both build the college's reputation and make real contributions to the region's economy."

Greene's background also includes extensive consulting work in private industry, reviewing production operations and providing expert advice for such diverse clients as Brunswick Corp., Ingersoll Rand, Union Carbide, Federal Mogul and IBM Corp.

Greene earned three engineering degrees from Purdue University--a bachelor's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 1975 and master's and doctoral degrees in industrial engineering, in 1977 and 1980, respectively.

He is a senior member and fellow of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and served as national president of that organization in 1997-98. He also is a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and a member of honor societies Tau Beta Pi, Alpha Pi Mu and Sigma Xi. In addition, he has served as an onsite evaluator for ABET--the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Inc.

Greene replaces Dr. Michael Atkins, who is retiring after serving as dean since 2002 and as a member of the engineering faculty since 1971. Atkins has agreed to continue leading the college until Greene arrives in April.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

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