Chen retires; Collier named interim engineering dean

Ching-Jen Chen has formally announced his retirement as dean of the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering after 19 years of service.

Then professor and chair of the mechanical engineering department at University of Iowa, Chen came to the College in 1992 to become the third dean of the joint university college since its creation in 1982. Chen noted in his April 2007 preface to the College's 25th anniversary book documenting the history of the College, "The college was an experiment that had never been tried before: a collaboration between a research-1 university and a historically black college that was focused mainly on undergraduate education. Many felt that such a marriage was doomed to failure, but the perseverance of a group of dedicated individuals who had faith in its mission has prevailed."

Last week, in a last formal act as dean of engineering, Chen called on his faculty and staff to join him in welcoming John Collier as interim dean.

Collier has been with the College of Engineering since 2006, serving as Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. Before coming to the College, he served as Professor and Head of the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Collier also was a faculty member at Louisiana State University and Ohio University during his distinguished career.

It is anticipated that Collier will serve as interim dean for a period of 10 to 16 months before a new dean of engineering has been selected. Work has already begun on identifying search committee members and hiring a consulting firm to assist with the search.

Under the joint governance system for the College of Engineering, Florida State University controls the hiring process for the deanship. FAMU controls the budget and finances.