Ian A. Waitz named new Dean of Engineering
Sam Range—The Tech
Ian A. Waitz named new Dean of Engineering
Ian A. Waitz, head of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Course XVI) was named the new Dean of Engineering on Tuesday. Waitz succeeds Subra Suresh ScD ’81 as Dean, who left MIT to direct the National Science Foundation last September, and current Interim Dean of Engineering Cynthia Barnhart PhD ’88. He will assume his duties as Dean this Monday, February 7.
In an e-mail sent to Course XVI students, faculty, and staff, Waitz said that his three years as head of the department have been “the most rewarding of my 20 years at MIT.” He said that although there were still some things he had wished to accomplish as Department Head, he was confident that Course XVI would continue to thrive after his departure.
“One of the factors that gave me the confidence to accept [the position of Dean] is the current state of [Course XVI]. We really are very strong right now,” he said.
David L. Darmofal PhD ’94, current Associate Department Head of Course XVI, will assume the role of Interim Department Head until a permanent replacement is found. Darmofal announced he was stepping down from his Associate Head position in October, effective June 2011, with Karen E. Willcox PhD ’00 his successor.
—Pearle Lipinski