Content provided in partnership with

Guy Who Just Wouldn't Leave, The

ASEE Prism, Sep 2006 by Grose, Thomas K

PROFILE

MOST SCHOLARS could print this slogan on their business cards: "Have advanced degree; will travel." The academic life is often an itinerant one, as career opportunities can require hopping from one school to another. But James H. Aylor, 60, is a notable exception. He first set foot on the lovely Charlottesville, Va., campus of the University of Virginia as a youngster: His dad was a mathematics professor there. Aylor obviously liked the atmosphere. He stayed at UVa to earn his bachelor's in electrical engineering in 1968. He remained in situ for three more years, earning a master's, then a doctorate in 1977. The following year, Aylor joined the faculty of UVa's School of Engineering and Applied Science. He's never left, excepting a year's stint in 1981 at IBM Corp. as a visiting scientist. From 1996-2003, Aylor was chairman of the electrical and computer engineering department, then was promoted to associate dean of academic programs. In 2004, he was appointed interim dean of the school, after Richard Miksad retired. And in July 2005, Aylor was named dean.

Most Popular Articles in Reference: The importance of understanding organizational culture; Credit card attitudes and behaviors of college students; What factors attract foreign direct investment?; Libraries Need Relationship Marketing - mutual interest marketing concept, ...; How to set performance goals: employee reviews are more than annual critiques; More »

UVa's engineering school has a long and storied history. It dates back to 1836 and is one of the nation's first three engineering programs. But, during his reign so far, Aylor has worked to further improve the school's good standing. And, indeed, it has since risen eight places in U.S. News & World Report's rankings, to 34th nationally. Aylor says he wants to continue the school's advancement up the ranking table by adding more tenure-track and research faculty. Earlier this year, it opened the 99,000 square-foot Wilsdorf Hall, now home to its nanoscience and engineering programs. There are also plans to build new information technology and bioengineering facilities. Clearly, once Dean Aylor finally retires, UVa's School of Engineering will not only bear his stamp, but the campus will look very different than it did when he first arrived there as a boy.-TG

Copyright American Society for Engineering Education Sep 2006
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

Guy Who Just Wouldn't Leave, The

ASEE Prism, Sep 2006 by Grose, Thomas K

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Reference

Most Popular Articles in Reference

Most Popular Publications in Reference