Jerrel R. Mitchell Named Interim Dean of Russ
College of Engineering and Technology
ATHENS, Ohio (July 31, 2000) -- Jerrel R. Mitchell has been appointed interim dean of Ohio University's Russ College of Engineering and Technology, effective July 31. Mitchell has served as the college's associate dean for research and graduate studies since January 1997.
Mitchell's appointment follows the resignation of former Dean Kent Wray, who has accepted the position of provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich.
"Kent Wray did an outstanding job at Ohio University and leaves the Russ College in a healthy state," Mitchell said. "My job is to keep the college running smoothly while the university conducts a national search for another outstanding individual."
Mitchell joined Ohio University in 1986 as a professor and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. During his time as chair, the department achieved a top ranking in the National Research Council's listing of doctoral programs. He also was instrumental in combining the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science to form the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
"We are grateful to Jerrel Mitchell for accepting this important responsibility," said Ohio University President Robert Glidden. "His knowledge of the Russ College and the confidence he enjoys from the faculty assure that the college will continue to move forward during this coming year as we conduct a search for a new dean."
Mitchell has served as an Ohio Aerospace Institute faculty member and was named a Russ College Professor and Tau Beta Pi Eminent Engineer in 1989. Mitchell was a member of the NASA Tether Satellite Blue Ribbon Panel from 1988 through 1990.
Before coming to Athens, the Eupora, Miss., native spent 18 years as a professor at Mississippi State University, where he earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. He received the Outstanding Senior Faculty Member Award from Mississippi State's College of Engineering in 1982. Mitchell worked part time as a senior engineer for Control Dynamics Co. and as a consultant for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and the U.S. Army and Air Force.
Mitchell has written more than 80 papers and given more than 50 technical presentations. His primary areas of expertise are the control of flexible structures, computer-aided control system design, frequency response system identification and control systems model development and reduction.
"I'm very pleased that Dr. Mitchell has accepted this appointment as interim dean of the Russ College of Engineering and Technology," said Ohio University Provost Sharon Brehm. "I know that he will work closely with the faculty to continue the excellence of the college's academic programs and the increasing strength of their research initiatives. He will make sure that this momentum is sustained while we conduct a national search for an individual who can bring vision, energy and expertise to the next phase in the development of the Russ College."
