August 11, 1998: Volume 44, Number 1

Balmer is New Dean of Engineering

Robert Balmer is Union's new dean of engineering.

He was associate dean for academic programs and research for the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (UWM).

He succeeds Richard Kenyon, who retired last year. David Hannay, professor of computer science and engineering, has been the acting dean.

Balmer received a B.S.E. in mechanical engineering, a B.S.E. in engineering mathematics, and an M.S.E. in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and a Sc.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Virginia.

At UWM, he was particularly known for his ability to create, design, and teach innovative laboratories. He is described as having a keen interest in innovative projects that combine the liberal arts and engineering principles and methods; at UWM, he collaborated with colleagues in history and philosophy to teach courses as part of the university's Cultural and Technological Studies program.

His research is the in the area of thermodynamics. He has written a prize-winning textbook and more than fifty journal articles, and he has a patent from his research on energy conversion technology.

He has participated as principal or co-principal investigator in numerous research projects, with funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Institute on Aging, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Johnson Controls Corp. He has also worked with E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Westinghouse Electric.

<< Previous Story Calendar of Events

Next Story >> College, Ad Phi Agree on...