Purdue Names Engineering Dean

(photo courtesy Purdue University)

Purdue University has named Mung Chiang dean of the College of Engineering. Chiang, who will begin his new role in July, will succeed Leah Jamieson, who is stepping down to assume full-time faculty duties in the Purdue School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Chiang was one of three finalists for the position selected after a national search. He was ultimately chosen for the position by a 15-member search committee after each finalist visited the campus in late March and early April.

"Purdue has recruited one of the genuine superstars of American engineering and higher education," said Purdue President Mitch Daniels. "Dr. Chiang’s personal research achievements, entrepreneurial success record, and international reputation, combined with our recent major investments in our College of Engineering, truly positions us for world leadership."

Chiang comes to Purdue from Princeton University, where in 2013 he received the National Science Foundation Alan T. Waterman Award. Purdue says the award is one of the highest honors given to young scientists and engineers in the country.

"Purdue’s College of Engineering is one of the strongest and one of the largest in the country," said Chiang. "Its recent growth is remarkable, and its future even brighter. I am humbled by the honor to serve this outstanding college, one that is part of a public university under the visionary leadership of President Daniels. I am eager to start by listening carefully to the faculty, students, staff and alumni of Purdue Engineering."

Purdue says Chiang main research focus is on computing and networking, and information sciences and systems.