Dean’s Message

I am thrilled to have joined the college on Rocky Top this summer, especially at the start of the university’s 225th anniversary. Being the Tennessee Volunteers is a powerful moniker that carries a humbling responsibility of serving others. The 225th theme of “Lighting the Way” is indicative of what our college already does so well—advance society through engaging service projects and life-changing research. Read about some of the amazing work of our faculty and students.

One of my top priorities as dean is to connect with you—our alumni and community and industry partners—to find new and different ways to collaborate and build on our existing body of work. Read about my vision for the college and please reach out to connect; I encourage your ideas and input on how we can create an enabled, passionate community.

The ever-strengthening ties we have with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Departments of Energy and Defense, among others, have led to our faculty working on breakthrough research with significant impact, in particular in the areas of additive and advanced manufacturing and high performance computing. Beyond this research, I look forward to engaging more of our students in this important research as well as with real-world projects to help tie our curricula to what they will experience as practicing engineers.

Another key priority for me is to be actively involved in ways to increase diversity with both multicultural and female populations. There’s a good base here, but I’d love to see that grow, especially in partnership with our board and with industries. I cannot overstate the importance and need for diversity in the work force and in academia.

I am excited to be here at UT and look forward to building on the tremendous momentum set by former Dean Wayne T. Davis and Interim Deans Lynne Parker and Mark Dean. I am deeply grateful for their service to the college and the foundation they laid for me as incoming dean.

Janis Terpenny
Dean and Wayne T. Davis Dean’s Chair