Purdue News
Purdue News
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October 20, 2000 Purdue engineering dean to step down,
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Schwartz, who was named dean in 1995, said he intends to return to teaching in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, where he began his teaching career at Purdue 36 years ago. At 65, he has reached the mandatory retirement age for senior Purdue administrators.
He said one of his most challenging jobs as dean was leading an effort to adopt a long-term plan for upgrading engineering facilities. The improvements, which are needed to meet growing needs in engineering education and research, are projected to cost an estimated $200 million over the next decade.
"The potential of these schools is very high, and it's always a pleasure to work with very good people toward a common goal of making things even better," Schwartz said.
University President Martin C. Jischke said, "As an engineer, I have respected Purdue engineering throughout my career, and I have been very aware of Dick Schwartz's outstanding performance as a faculty member, as head of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and most recently as the dean. I am deeply grateful for the excellent leadership he has provided, and I look forward to his continued involvement as a faculty member."
Robert L. Ringel, executive vice president for academic affairs, credited Schwartz for successfully leading the development of the master plan for new space acquisition and remodeling of existing facilities for the Schools of Engineering.
"Dean Schwartz provided Purdue University with enlightened leadership during his tenure," Ringel said. "Our research funding has increased, and undergraduate learning opportunities and facilities have been enhanced. Issues of diversity pertaining to faculty and students have been raised to heightened levels of attention. "
Ringel said a search committee will be formed to select a new dean.
"The search will be national in scope, and we hope to have the position filled prior to August 2001," he said, noting that finding the right person won't be easy.
"There is a lot of competition," Ringel said. "There are a number of universities that are looking for deans of engineering, and we don't want just anybody. We want somebody who really is top of the line."
Schwartz joined the Purdue faculty as an associate professor of electrical engineering in 1964 and was promoted to professor in 1971. He was head of the School of Electrical Engineering from 1985 to 1995, and he also had been assistant head for instruction in the school from 1972 to 1983.
A native of Waukesha, Wis., he received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1957. He earned master's and doctoral degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1959 and 1962, respectively. He was a National Science Foundation Fellow while an MIT graduate student.
Sources: Richard Schwartz (765) 494-5347, schwartz@ecn.purdue.edu
Robert Ringel, (765) 494-9709, ringelr@purdue.edu
Writer: Emil Venere, (765) 494-4709, evenere@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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