As of July 2018, the Behrend School of Engineering appointed a new director.

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The role of director has been an interim position for the last few years, since Chancellor Ralph Ford vacated the position in 2015. However, this has changed, since Timothy Kurzweg, Ph.D., was chosen for the position after a lengthy hiring process.

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Kurzweg was born in Nebraska but grew up in O’Hara Township, located roughly 15 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. He obtained his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at University Park, and earned his masters degree and Ph.D., also in electrical engineering, at the University of Pittsburgh.

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“It was while I was earning my masters degree that I really knew I wanted to become a professor.”

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It comes as no surprise that Kurzweg chose teaching as his profession, as both his parents taught at numerous levels. After completing school, Kurzweg began his career as a college professor at Drexel University, located near Philadelphia, PA, where he held multiple positions throughout his sixteen year span. He started as a professor of electrical and computer engineering and eventually advanced to the position of vice provost for undergraduate education. In this position, Kurzweg was responsible for all undergraduate programs at the university.

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“I enjoy the challenge of being able to inspire and teach students difficult content. At some point, I look forward to actually teaching again, because I love it,” Kurzweg explained.

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Kurzweg stated that he saw a call for the position, and decided “being a director for a school like this is a great honor.” There is also a personal touch to working in Erie as his wife is an Erie native.

 

This passed Monday marked the beginning of his seventh week as the new director. “I am learning so much everyday,” he stated, “It is so exciting to see all the students back.”

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Kurzweg had the opportunity to talk to all incoming engineers on the Friday of welcome week. He hopes he did a good job welcoming them to the school and made them feel comfortable about their decision to study in the engineering field at Behrend.

By the end of his first semester as the director of the School of Engineering at Behrend, Kurzweg hopes he can learn more about the history of the school and the campus itself. “I’m looking for the time to explore the campus more and enjoy the warm weather,” he said. He also states that he is prepared to do his fair share of learning and listening.

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One of the main goals on his mind is advancing the research programs for the School of Engineering. “Behrend has been really great in reaching out to industries and being involved in the community,” he began. “I think we do undergraduate research very well here, but I think there is still more we can do. The more students and faculty can work together, the stronger we will be.”

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Kurzweg states that he already feels very comfortable in his position and that Behrend is a beautiful campus. He hopes to get to know students from all departments around campus rather than strictly engineering students.