Hummel Named Jeffers Director of Engineering

Scott Hummel, professor of mechanical engineering, has been appointed the William A. Jeffers Director of the Engineering Division, with academic year 2013-14 as the first of a three-year term.

As interim director during the past year and a half, Hummel has successfully guided the division’s academic and operational objectives, and through his leadership a number of strategic initiatives have been accomplished, said Provost Wendy Hill.

His achievements include strengthening interdisciplinary connections between the liberal arts and engineering, helping shape the IDEAL Center concept, playing a key role in developing the new bachelor of science curricula, and leading the restructuring of the Introduction to Engineering course. His essay, “Idealistic Engineers,” was featured in Inside Higher Ed (March 4).

A member of the faculty since 1998, Hummel chaired the Curriculum and Educational Policy Committee during the development of the new Common Course of Study, and served as head of the department from 2006 to 2012. Hummel, who holds a Ph.D. from Lehigh University, specializes in the area of wear of materials. Recently named an ASTM Fellow, he has served since 2008 as the elected chair of the ASTM Technical Committee on Wear and Erosion.

He has received the Thomas Roy and Lura Forrest Jones Faculty Lecture Award, and Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award.