University of Miami Names Distinguished Scholar Dean of the College of Engineering.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- The University of Miami announced today that internationally renowned researcher James M. Tien, the Yamada Corporation Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been named Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Miami. Dr. Tien, who serves as founding chair in the Department of Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems (DSES) and professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering, will assume his new role September 1.

Dr. Tien will replace Dr. M. Lewis Temares, who has served as Dean of the College of Engineering since 1994, and who will focus on his role as Vice President/CIO of Information Technology.

"The University of Miami is extremely fortunate to have such a distinguished researcher lead our College of Engineering," said University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala. "His innovative thinking on the field of engineering will help engage all areas of the university in interdisciplinary activities."

UM Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Tom LeBlanc echoed President Shalala's enthusiasm. "Jim Tien has a long history of intellectual leadership and program development in the context of a first-rate engineering school. He is exactly the right person to bring our College of Engineering to a new level of national prominence."

Dr. Tien joined the Rensselaer faculty in 1977 in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering and was the department's acting chair from 1986 to 1987. In 1988, he became the founding chair of the Department of Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems. He twice served as acting dean of engineering at RPI. In 2001, he was elected to membership in the National Academy of Engineering.

"I am excited about joining the University of Miami. With the commitment and support of President Shalala and Provost LeBlanc, I look forward to bringing more focus on those scholarly activities that can unite the academic areas of the University of Miami," said Dr. Tien.

Dr. Tien earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer in 1966. In 1969, he went to MIT and received a Ph.D. in systems engineering and operations research in 1972. Earlier, Dr. Tien worked at Bell Laboratories and at Rand Corporation, a nonprofit think tank.

He has served on the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Board of Directors (2000-04) and was IEEE Vice President in charge of the IEEE Publication Services and Products Board (2001-02).