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In his new position, Dean 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."
As NanoCenter Director Gary Rubloff explains, "Dean Farvardin has been instrumental in the establishment, promotion and success of the Maryland NanoCenter. He has encouraged the consolidation and growth of major facilities in the FabLab and NISPLab, played the key role in seizing the opportunity to fund major equipment purchases through the State Department of Business and Economic Development's Sunny Day Fund, and supported activities to build a coherent nano faculty and research community. He has welcomed the College of Computer, Math and Physical Sciences and the College of Chemical and Life Sciences into a productive partnership to pursue nanoscale science and engineering. He has also recognized the key partnership of the NanoCenter with the new Fischell Department of Bioengineering, the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, and the University of Maryland Baltimore's Pharmacy, Medicine, and Dental Schools, particularly the Center for Nanomedicine and Cellular Delivery. We look forward to Provost Farvardin's continued involvement in the growth of the NanoCenter and other major initiatives on the campus."
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.
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.
May 14, 2007
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