June 13, 2005

Karr Named Dean of College of Engineering

Dr. Charles Karr

Dr. Charles L. Karr has been named dean of the College of Engineering. Dr. Judy Bonner, UA provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced the appointment, which is effective July 1. Most recently, Karr served as the College’s associate dean for research and graduate studies, where he was responsible for working with research funding agencies, assisting engineering faculty with research proposals and budgets, and coordinating the engineering graduate programs.

“We are confident that Dr. Karr is the right person at this critical time to provide leadership for The University of Alabama College of Engineering,” Bonner said. “We look forward to much success in the future under his guidance.”

“I am honored to be named as dean of the College of Engineering,” said Karr. “It will be exciting to work with the faculty and the University administration as we solidify the position of the College as the capstone of engineering in Alabama and a leader in the nation.”

Karr is a three-time graduate of UA, completing his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1984 and his master’s and doctorate in engineering mechanics in 1987 and 1989, respectively. After receiving his doctorate, he spent seven years working as a research engineer with the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Tuscaloosa Research Center. Karr replaces Dr. Keith McDowell, vice president for research at UA, who also served for the past year as interim dean.

Considered a leading expert in the area of intelligent systems, Karr is the author of three books and 20 book chapters, and he has published 44 refereed journal articles and more than 90 conference papers. He has become widely known for his pioneering work in combining genetic algorithms and fuzzy logic. In addition, he holds four international patents in the area of intelligent systems for locating the source of radio signals.

Karr has received several awards, including receiving the T. Morris Hackney Faculty Leadership Award from the College. Since beginning his career at the University, Karr has consistently been recognized for his teaching abilities, winning the Charles Henry Ratcliff Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Engineering Mechanics Teaching five times, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (UA chapter) Outstanding Faculty Member Award twice.

UA Home | Dialog Extra | UA News | Faculty/Staff Links | Legislative Updates