UC Appoints Renowned Aerospace Researcher and Engineer as Interim Dean of College of Engineering and Applied Science

The University of Cincinnati has appointed a renowned aerospace researcher and engineer to serve as interim dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science (

CEAS

).

Paul Orkwis, professor and head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, will serve as interim dean beginning July 1.

 “After careful review and consideration, I have selected Paul Orkwis to lead the University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering and Applied Science,” said Peter Landgren, interim senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “I am confident that with Paul’s experience and leadership, CEAS will be best positioned to continue to provide an innovative curriculum and culture of real-world, experienced-based learning to prepare the engineers of tomorrow.”

Orkwis joined the UC faculty in 1991 and has made significant contributions throughout his 26-year career. During his tenure, he helped reform the aerospace engineering curriculum, guided Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics accreditation efforts, led multiple diverse faculty hires and served as the first American co-director of the

Joint Engineering Co-op Institute

with Chongqing University - the first mandatory co-op program in China.

“Paul’s research advancements and ability to transition his global industry knowledge into the classroom is unparalleled,” added Landgren.

Orkwis, who also serves as director of UC's Gas Turbine Simulation Laboratory, was one of the first UC faculty members to join the GE Aviation University Strategic Alliance in 1998. He is a member of the inaugural Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology Committee, and previously served as chair of the Technology Development Working Group.

His research interests are centered on computational fluid dynamic simulation and modeling of complex unsteady flows. He has extensive experience working with the gas-turbine industry and government research laboratories.

He holds two patents with colleagues from GE Aviation on a novel blading concept for turbines that has the potential to reduce blade surface heating.

Orkwis received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Dowling College and his master’s and doctorate in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University.

UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Science co-op program is ranked among the best in the nation. The college has collaborative relationships with universities, companies, and research organizations in 24 countries.

Orkwis will take over as interim dean for a college that is in a solid position academically and fiscally thanks to the guidance of Dean Teik Lim.

“Dean Lim will forever be a Bearcat,” said Landgren. “I look forward to partnering with Interim Dean Orkwis to continue the upward trajectory for the college brought about by Teik’s hard work and commitment to excellence.”

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