BROOKINGS – Lewis Brown, dean of the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering since 2001, has announced plans to retire from his current role, effective June 30, 2018.
“It has been an honor to serve as dean of the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering for the past 16 years,” Brown said. “Through the efforts of faculty, administrators and donors, we have transformed the college into one that is well respected among our peers and continues to prepare generations of engineers and innovators. It is the right time for me, both personally and professionally, to step away and let the next leader build on the foundation that has been created.”
During his tenure as dean, Brown was responsible for 34 new major and minor academic programs, including 15 graduate degrees. Accredited programs doubled from four to eight and he established industry advisory boards for every department in the college. Enrollment in the college increased from approximately 1,300 in 2001 to nearly 2,000 students during the 2016-17 academic year.
“The impact Dr. Brown has had, not only within the college, but also throughout industry across the region has been second to none,” said Dennis Hedge, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Lew has been a leader, a visionary and a scholar during his time at SDSU and his college is positioned well for the future. He will certainly be missed, but we look forward to recognizing him during this upcoming academic year for all the things he has accomplished.”
Brown also helped lead the planning and fundraising of four building projects, most notably the construction of Daktronics Engineering Hall and the Architecture, Mathematics and Engineering Building. Brown’s efforts and leadership helped recognize SDSU alum and benefactor Jerry Lohr in renaming the college after him in 2013, in addition to establishing two endowed professorships through generous gifts from alums John Hanson and Harold Hohbach. The gifts created the John M. Hanson Professorship in Structural and Construction Engineering and the Harold C. Hohbach Professorship in Electrical Engineering.
“Dean Brown has left a very positive and indelible footprint on SDSU and his college has taken great strides under his leadership,” SDSU President Barry Dunn said. “I enjoyed working with Lew during my time as dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and our professional and personal relationship goes back many years. He will certainly be missed, but unquestionably he has left a foundation for the future and an opportunity for the next dean to continue moving forward.”
Dunn and Brown served as deans together from 2010 until May 2016 when Dunn began his role as university president.
Brown came to SDSU in 1992 as an assistant professor in electrical engineering and served as department head from 1993 until 2001, when he became dean. He also served as acting head of the computer science department during the 2000-01 academic year.
Brown completed his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from SDSU in 1984, a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University in 1986, and a double Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering and biomedical engineering from Iowa State University in 1988. Prior to returning to SDSU, Brown was employed by Pennwalt Corporation from 1988-91 as a senior research scientist responsible for the research and development of electronic sensor products.
A national search for Brown’s replacement will begin this fall.
