UC names new dean for College of Engineering and Applied Science
Kristi A. Nelson, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Cincinnati, announced the appointment today of John W. Weidner, Ph.D., as dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Weidner, who will join UC Aug. 12 pending approval by the UC Board of Trustees, serves as department chair and professor of chemical engineering at the University of South Carolina.
“I am delighted to welcome John to the University of Cincinnati. His experience in academia and in forging partnerships with industry and government to solve societal challenges will continue the trajectory of the College of Engineering and Applied Science toward national prominence,” Nelson said. “John’s passion for research and strong belief in the benefits of experiential learning will greatly benefit the college and university as we create the new and next.”
The university launched a new strategic direction, Next Lives Here, in 2018 to propel the university through the next decade and lead urban public universities into a new era of innovation and impact.
As department head, Weidner has successfully managed a multi-million-dollar budget, increased undergraduate enrollment, led accreditation reviews and launched new academic programs. He also led a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate site to prepare undergraduates for research careers.
Weidner joined the University of South Carolina as assistant professor in 1991. He was named professor in 2004. Weidner has held several administrative positions throughout his career, including associate department chair, director of the hydrogen and fuel cell center, department chair and interim associate dean for research. Additionally, he has been a visiting scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.
“I look forward to engaging the university and Cincinnati communities to create a collective strategy for the College of Engineering and Applied Science that is relevant, innovative and reflective of a Carnegie-1 public research university such as UC,” Weidner said. “Utilizing the unique talents of UC faculty and staff to expand student-impact opportunities that are grounded in research and experiential learning will provide unparalleled experiences for students and prepare them to solve our world’s biggest challenges.”
Weidner's research primarily focuses on renewable-energy applications, including the synthesis and characterization of electrocatalysts and electrochemically active materials. He also studies the design and operation of electrochemical processes using sophisticated mathematical models for applications such as advanced batteries, fuel cells and electrochemical reactors.
He currently serves as the principal investigator of multiple research projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, among others, and has four patents pending.
Weidner has published numerous journal articles and book chapters, and served as inaugural editor for ECS Transactions and past technical editor for the Journal of the Electrochemical Society. He is a fellow of the Electrochemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and has a joint appointment at the Savannah River National Laboratory.
Weidner earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from NC State University.
Media contact:
For more information or to arrange an interview with Dr. Weidner, please contact:
Michael Miller
Public Information Officer
513-556-6757
michael.miller3@uc.edu
About the College of Engineering and Applied Science
UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Science unleashes education by immersing students in a rigorous and innovative curriculum and culture of real-world, experience-based learning. The value of a CEAS degree is unparalleled, providing elevated placement, greater earning potential and unlimited post-graduate options.
Innovation Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission, is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-35 public research universities and secured a spot on Reuter’s World’s Most Innovative Universities list. UC's students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Additional Contacts
Michael Miller | Public Information Officer | Marketing + Content
michael.miller3@uc.edu | 513-556-6757
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