Quantum

A NEW DEAN FOR THE COLLEGE

David Campbell, a prominent physicist known for his work in the emerging field of nonlinear science, has been named the next dean of the College of Engineering. Campbell, who is now a professor and chairman of the physics department at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, will take up his new post at ENG in September. His appointment follows a national search that began last year when Charles DeLisi announced he was stepping down as dean to return to full-time teaching and research. DeLisi recently was named the first Arthur G. B. Metcalf Professor in Engineering.

David Campbell

"Dr. Campbell is a distinguished researcher and an accomplished leader at the University of Illinois," says Dennis Berkey, University provost and dean of Arts and Sciences. "He will build vigorously on the impressive growth that occurred at the College under Dean DeLisi."

Prior to joining the University of Illinois in 1992, Campbell was director of the Center for Nonlinear Studies at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. A California native, he received his bachelor's degree in chemistry and physics from Harvard in 1966, a Part III Mathematics Tripos, with distinction, from Cambridge University in 1967, and his Ph.D. in theoretical physics and applied mathematics from Cambridge in 1970. Over the years, he has received fellowships from a number of institutions, including the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is founding editor of the journal CHAOS.

While he has contributed to many subfields of physics, Campbell is best known for his accomplishments in nonlinear science, a field that seeks to provide a better understanding of the complex behavior exhibited by many of the fundamental processes of nature. Much of his work has focused on the study of nonlinear phenomena at the atomic and subatomic level in novel materials, such as semiconductors, conducting polymers, and superconductors.

Campbell thinks that his physics background prepares him well for ENG's diverse curriculum. "From an engineering perspective," Campbell says, "physicists are generalists. But in mechanical engineering, for instance, they do know something about the strength of materials. In aerospace engineering, they know a little about fluids, and in electrical engineering, they know about solid-state devices. So being a generalist can be a useful thing."

At the same time, he says, "You have to keep in mind that the goal of an engineer is to make things, and to make them work, not just understand how they work. A physicist might be happy just understanding. So the emphasis on making things work is something a physicist coming into this job has to make sure he keeps front and center."

Campbell already has begun planning for new programs and faculty recruitment with the four ENG department chairmen. He knows that engineering training must respond to different mandates than it once did. "Engineers need to speak and write well and be sensitive to ethical and philosophical issues," he says. "They need to be Renaissance men and women. Technical skills are a must, but the best engineers of the future will be able to communicate their visions."