[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
UM Home >
UMNEWS > May 9, 2007
<- You Are Here
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
COLLEGE PARK, Md.—University of Maryland President C. D. Mote, Jr. today announced the appointment of Dr.
Nariman Farvardin, Dean of the A.
James Clark School of Engineering, as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, effective July 1, 2007. Dr. Farvardin will succeed William Destler, who will become President of the Rochester Institute of Technology in July.
In his new position, Farvardin will serve as the University's chief academic officer with both programmatic and administrative responsibility for all academic programs. "His extraordinary leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, support of students, and devotion to the University of Maryland are widely respected across the campus," said Mote. "I look forward to working closely with him as the University continues its rapid rise into the ranks of the nation's premier academic institutions."
"I am honored to accept the responsibility of helping this outstanding university continue its ascendance into the highest ranks of the nation's public research universities," Farvardin said. "With some 23 years at Maryland,
I take great pride in what has been accomplished. And I look forward to the achievement of even greater expectations under the leadership of President Mote. It's a privilege to be part of his senior management team and I am ready to put my heart and soul behind this exciting new opportunity."
Farvardin joined the University of Maryland in 1984 after earning his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He served as Chair of the Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 1994 to 2000, when he became dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering. As dean, Farvardin has promoted innovative new engineering programs, including the establishment of the Fischell
Department of Bioengineering, development of the Inventis and Keystone undergraduate programs and new initiatives focusing on women in engineering, undergraduate research and technology entrepreneurship. Farvardin has also fostered a strong public awareness of the school's strengths and accomplishments to its many constituencies, established a successful fundraising program, and improved organizational efficiency and productivity.
The Clark School has achieved many new milestones under Farvardin's leadership. External research expenditures for the school increased from $70 million to more than $110 million. Philanthropic support also increased significantly, including two landmark gifts: a $31 million gift to establish a department of bioengineering and a $30 million gift to establish a scholarship endowment. During this period, the School constructed a state-of-the-art engineering building; built strong programs in nanotechnology that are helping place the University of Maryland among the national leaders in nanotechnology education and research; established a major new initiative in energy research; and launched, with the School
of Public Policy, an innovative Master of Engineering and Public Policy program to educate engineers in policy issues.
A Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Farvardin is widely respected for contributions to communications and information theory. Among his honors, he has been awarded the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award; the George Corcoran Award for Outstanding Contributions to Electrical Engineering Education; and the Invention of the Year Award (Information Sciences), from the University of Maryland. In January 2003, he was selected by The Washington Post as one of the "Five to Watch in 2003."
