UA College of Engineering Announces New Industrial Engineering Department Head

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama College of Engineering recently named Dr. Robert P. Davis as head of the department of industrial engineering (IE), to be effective January 1, 2001.

Davis, who received his doctorate in industrial engineering in 1973 from Oklahoma State University, began his academic career at The University of Alabama in 1974 as assistant professor of computer science and operations research. In 1975, he was appointed assistant professor of industrial engineering and operations research at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

While at Virginia Tech, Davis was promoted to associate professor in 1979 and served as assistant department head of industrial engineering and operations research from 1982 to 1983. Davis joined Clemson University as a full professor and founding department head of industrial engineering in 1984. He served as head for six years, taking the university through its first Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation.

Davis has co-authored four books and was contributing author on another. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 refereed publications and conference proceedings and has been the principal investigator or co-principal investigator for numerous research projects.

In addition to his teaching, Davis has been very active in professional societies, including the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE). From 1988 to the present, he has served as a Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), ABET program evaluator.

He has received several awards, including being named an NDEA fellow in 1972. Davis was granted the Outstanding Faculty Award of the Virginia Tech Chapter of Alpha Pi Mu for four years. For three consecutive years, he was awarded Virginia Tech’s Certificate of Teaching Excellence. In 1981, he received the Sporn Award for Excellence in Teaching Engineering Subjects at Virginia Tech, and, in 1983, he earned the IIE Region III Award of Excellence.

“Bob Davis brings to UA experience as a proven IE department head,” said Dr. Timothy J. Greene, dean of the College of Engineering. “He grew the Clemson IE program into one of the best in the Southeast, and he will provide the leadership to make us one of the best IE programs in the nation.”