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Dr. Jerry W. Samples, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

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Dr. Jerry W. Samples, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

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I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jerry W. Samples as Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs effective January 1, 2004. Dr. Samples has served as Chair of the Division of Engineering Technology for the past five years and since August 2002 he has served as the interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. While serving as interim Vice President he successfully guided the merger of academic and student affairs into a seamless unit. Additionally, he reinvigorated the college’s freshman year experience initiatives.

I welcome Dr. Samples and am confident of his leadership. Our campus has a rich history of service by Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs and Vice Presidents for Student Affairs. Our determination to focus on our students and their learning environment was the impetus for combining these units. Dr. Samples will be the first individual to hold the position of Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at UPJ. His commitment to quality, to inclusiveness, and to realizing a true campus community will propel UPJ to greater accomplishments. UPJ is at the forefront of a national modern trend with commitment to educating the whole student in which this position is critically influential. Dr. Samples’ currency with trends in higher education will prove invaluable in our progress as an exceptional undergraduate college of the highest academic quality.

Dr. Samples joined UPJ in 1996 as Director of the Engineering Technology Division. Previously, he was Associate Professor and Director of the Mechanical Engineering Division and Director of the Mechanical Engineering Research Center at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.

Dr. Samples earned his bachelor of science in chemical engineering from Clarkson College of Technology, Pottsdam, N.Y., master of science in mechanical engineering (thermal sciences) and doctor of philosophy, mechanical engineering (computational fluid dynamics) from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. He is a registered professional engineer.

He has co-authored numerous books and technical articles on education and engineering and has given scholarly presentations, workshops, and consultations.

In November 2003, Dr. Samples was recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers with the Dedicated Service Award. This award honors dedicated volunteer service to the Society marked by outstanding performance. Demonstrated effective leadership, prolonged and committed service, devotion, enthusiasm, and faithfulness. Additionally, in 1983 he received the Society of Automotive Engineers Teetor Award, and in 1982 received the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Life Quality Award. Dr. Samples has been listed in Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who in Emerging Leaders, and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. He was inducted into the Oklahoma State University’s Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in 1983 and is a charter member of the UPJ chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.

He is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society for Engineering Education, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning and the Association of the United States Army. His academic areas of interest include air-breathing engines, fires, combustion, dynamics, and system design. He also has an interest in engineering education, engineering design, and mechanical engineering curriculum development.

Please join me in welcoming Jerry to this important leadership position.
Posted by [Deleted User] on 12/17/2003 10:20:00 AM


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