Hugh Bruck Appointed Director of Graduate Studies

"Bruck will bring a wealth of experience and notable strengths to the DGS position."

Avram Bar-Cohen, ME Department Chair

ME Associate Professor Hugh Bruck has accepted the position as the new Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the mechanical engineering department, following Bruck’s recent promotion to full professor. Both positions will be effective beginning July 1, 2010.

Prior to his appointment as DGS, Bruck has served as a member of the Graduate Committee, developed popular Mechanics and Materials graduate courses, and actively promoted the successful cross-listing of Mechanics and Materials division and Aerospace Engineering course offerings. Additionally, Bruck currently maintains strong ties with several government laboratories in the area and has had personal experience in international academic exchanges, having served as both a fellow and as a host faculty in the highly prestigious Fullbright program.

Regarding Bruck’s appointment, ME department chair, Dr. Avram Bar-Cohen reveals, “I am delighted. Bruck will bring a wealth of experience and notable strengths to the DGS position.”

Bruck’s appointment results from Professor and Associate Chair Balakumar Balachandran's resignation from the Graduate Office at the end of this academic year. During Balachandran’s tenure as Director of Graduate Studies the diversity of the graduate population has been dramatically enhanced, a growing number of students from highly-ranked programs have been recruited, the number of fellowship holders among the enrolled students has increased, a record of tenure track faculty placements for the department's Ph.D. graduates (20 in the past 4 years, with 11 in US Schools) has been established, and many of the Graduate Office procedures have been streamlined in order to promote improved office efficiency.

While planning to return to his active research program focused on nonlinear phenomena, dynamics, and vibrations & controls, Balachandran also will continue as Associate Chair of Mechanical Engineering through the 2010-2011 academic year.

For more information about the Graduate Office, please visit their website.

Published June 10, 2010