Technology dean to return to teaching and research
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Dennis Depew, dean of the Purdue University College of Technology, will return to teaching and research after the 2010-2011 academic year.
Dennis Depew
Depew has been dean since 2002. The College of Technology has more than 5,500 students and eight academic departments. The Statewide Technology program is located in 10 Indiana communities outside West Lafayette. In 2009 the college launched a new strategic plan that runs through 2014.
"We have made great progress in the past eight years, and the future is very bright for the college," Depew said. "We are in a good position to welcome a new dean."
Depew will return to a faculty position in the college next summer.
"Dennis has moved the college forward as demand grows for its specialties," said Timothy Sands, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. "We're fortunate that as he returns to the role of professor - performing research, mentoring students and teaching in the classroom - the university will continue to benefit from his vision."
Sands will name a search committee for a new dean this fall.
Depew first came to Purdue in 1985 to pursue a doctorate after earning bachelor's and master's degrees from East Tennessee State University. He joined the Department of Industrial Technology faculty in 1987.
He served as head of industrial technology, university coordinator of Excellence 21 and assistant dean of the graduate school before moving to Western Carolina University, where he was dean of the College of Applied Sciences from 1999-2002.
Depew has been principal investigator or co-principal investigator for more than $2 million in grants to support academic programs and applied research and serves as a reviewer for programs funded by the National Science Foundation.
He is the author of more than 60 technical publications and papers and has served as a consultant on quality and productivity improvement for Fortune 500 companies. He is a member of the American Society for Quality, the American Association for Engineering Education and Epsilon Pi Tau Honorary Society.
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Sources: Timothy Sands, 765-494-9709, tsands@purdue.edu
Dennis Depew, 765-494-2552, ddepew@purdue.edu