The Dean Files
News, announcements, and ideas from Dean Eric Barron and his staff

September 16. 2004 :
1. K. Osseo-Asare awarded title of Distinguished Professor .
2. Industrial Health and Safety earns ABET accreditation .
3. EMS Diversity Plan finalized.
4. EMS Constitution revisions ratified by Senate Council.
5. Ryan Family Student Center dedication slated forFriday, September 17, 2004 at 2:30P.
6. EMS Executive Council agenda and minutes posted on Faculty and Staff home page.
6. Archives

K. Osseo-Asare awarded title of Distinguished Professor.

Please join me in congratulating Professor K. Osseo-Asare on receiving the title of distinguished professor of metallurgy in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and professor of energy and geo-environmental engineering in the Department of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering.

Professor Osseo-Asare received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of California (Berkeley) in 1970, 1972 and 1975, respectively. Professor Osseo-Asare joined the faculty at Penn State in 1976 where he was promoted to professor in 1984 and served as chair of the Metals Science and Engineering Program from 1995-2000. He has published over 200 papers and supervised nearly forty M.S. and Ph.D. theses.

Earlier this year Professor Osseo-Asare was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made "important contributions to engineering theory and practice, including significant contributions to the literature of engineering theory and practice," and those who have demonstrated accomplishment in "the pioneering of new fields of engineering, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.

Again, the College warmly congratulates Professor Osseo-Asare on these outstanding accomplishments.

Industrial Health and Safety earns ABET accreditation

The Applied Science Accreditation Commission (ASAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) recently held its 2004 Summer Meeting to act on the program evaluations conducted during 2003-2004. Among the programs evaluated was the Industrial Health and Safety Program in the Department of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering, Penn State University.

ABET specifically noted, "The curriculum is well designed and has an excellent technical component, which favorably compares with the best safety and health programs in the United States. A strength of this program is the opportunity for interdisciplinary studies and research with the related departments on campus."......"Faculty members are well-rounded, competent professionals with strong credentials, including professional certification."..."students interviewed are motivated and enthusiastic about the profession. They complimented their IHS professors and said they find them to be very accessible and caring both professionally and personally."

For more information on the program, please visit www.egee.psu.edu and click on Industrial Health and Safety.

EMS Diversity Plan finalized .

"The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is committed to fostering diversity and equity. In 2003, a revision of the College's Strategic Plan was completed that recognizes the importance of this challenge by outlining the actions required to achieve three interrelated strategic objectives that are critical for the continuing excellence of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences:

1. To Create the Most Student-Centered College in Penn State History.
2. To Develop a Diversity and Climate that will Empower Future Generations of Scholars.
3. To advance the Capabilities and Reputations of the College's Departments and Institutes.

For the complete text click A Commitment To Fostering Diversity Plan.


EMS Constitution revisions ratified by Senate Council.

After months of diligent work the EMS Faculty Advisory Committe, chaired by Amy Glasmeier, recommended significant revisions to the EMS Constitution. On August 24, 2004 the Senate Council ratified our revised ORGANIZATION STATEMENT FOR FACULTY, TENURE TRACK, AND FIXED-TERM and RESEARCH FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS.

For the complete text click EMS Constitution.

Ryan Family Student Center Dedication slated for Friday, September 17, 2004 at 2:30P.

Please join me in the new EMS Museum Gallery I for refreshments and tour the new Ryan Family Student Center. Russ Graham, director EMS Museum, has prepared Gallery I & II with the initial displays in our new Museum. I hope to see you all there to share in the excitment.

EMS Executive Council agenda and minutes posted on Faculty and Staff home page.

One revision to the EMS Constitution requires the posting of EMS Executive Council meeting agenda and subsequent minutes on the Faculty and Staff home page. Executive generally meets every Tuesday morning. I hope faculty, staff and students will avail themselves of this information and provide input to Council members for possible discussion.