Contact: Sammy McDavid
Mississippi State is naming its former engineering dean as the university's new vice president for research.
Robert A. Altenkirch, currently dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture at Washington State University in Pullman, will return to Mississippi State in mid-July. He previously led the university's College of Engineering from 1988 to 1995.
"Bob Altenkirch will join the team with three major commitments," said President Malcolm Portera in making the announcement Thursday. "He will continue the efforts to grow a quality research program. He will closely link this effort to the faculty and the academic program. And he will work with a team concept."
Portera cited as strengths Altenkirch's record in research and research administration and his prior experience on the Mississippi State campus. "His vision for the research program includes elements that are in sync with those of the university community," Portera said.
Mississippi State ranks near the top 100 universities nationally in total research and development expenditures as calculated by the National Science Foundation. Portera said a university goal is to be among the top 75 research universities within a few years.
Prior to coming to MSU the first time, Altenkirch headed the mechanical engineering department at the University of Kentucky. He is a recognized authority on the chemistry of pulverized-coal combustion and several related areas.
In 1993, he was named a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He earlier received ASME's Gustus L. Larson Memorial Award for "outstanding achievements in mechanical engineering."
He completed bachelor's and doctoral degrees at Purdue and a master's degree at the University of California-Berkeley. Formal approval of Altenkirch's selection is expected at a future meeting of the Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning.
Associate Vice President Melvin Ray has served as acting vice president for research since Ralph E. Powe died in late 1996.