Lehigh professor David Williams selected as new president of UAH (03/15/2007) | | |
 Ray Garner, (256)UAH-NEWS | The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees today voted to name Dr. David B. Williams as the fifth president of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). View Page of New UAH President David Williams Dr. Williams, vice provost for research at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, was chosen following a nationwide search that included more than 200 applicants. He succeeds Dr. Frank Franz, who has been the university's president since 1991. "UAH and the Huntsville area have earned a reputation of discovery, cutting-edge developments and tremendous accomplishments," said Dr. Williams after his appointment. "Many of those accomplishments have been the result of the scholarship and efforts of UAH's faculty, students, staff and graduates. The intellectual assets that exist on the UAH campus have been a key driver in the area's cultural, economic and technological development." Williams said he is a strong advocate of the vital role that research universities play in a community, and he looks forward to enhancing relationships among UAH, government agencies, corporations and other institutions of learning. "What also has impressed me is the remarkable fashion in which this university and the entire community has embraced the commitment of developing a high level of curiosity and a passion to solve problems, not just for our area but, indeed, around the world and beyond. I deem it a tremendous honor and privilege to have been selected to join this effort as UAH's next president." A 15-member search committee comprised of trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community representatives was formed after Dr. Franz informed trustees last April that he would step down as president at the end of the Spring 2007 semester. The search committee enlisted the help of Russell Reynolds Associates, a national search firm. Trustees Peter Lowe and Joe Ritch served as co-chairs of the search committee. "Dr. Williams emerged from an impressive field of 200 candidates as the leading candidate to lead UAH into the future," Ritch said. "He brings to Huntsville an engaging personality, a record of scientific achievement and outstanding management." Ritch said Dr. Williams will have a tremendous job following the 15-year tenure of Dr. Franz, but added, "We are looking forward to Dr. Williams carrying UAH to new heights of achievement and accomplishment." Lowe said he had a sterling career as a scientist and engineer, and his work is known and cited throughout the world. "In addition to being a brilliant academician, he is also an accomplished administrator," Lowe said in his remarks to the board of trustees. In addition to his research position at Lehigh, Dr. Williams is a senior professor of materials science and engineering. He received his B.A., M.A., Ph.D., and Sc.D degrees from Cambridge University. He joined Lehigh University in 1976 as an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, became an associate professor in 1979 and a full professor in 1983. He was appointed Lehigh's vice provost for research in 2000. Dr. Williams was responsible for creating the Center for Optical Technologies at Lehigh, forming a partnership with the Army Research Laboratory, and he led has efforts to acquire more than $30 million in external funding for the center. Dr. Williams also has worked extensively with NASA, and has been involved in numerous Homeland Security initiatives. Dr. Williams has been active in economic development efforts. He conceived and created the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Research Advisory Council, a consortium of research vice presidents from that state's research universities. The group advised state government of the investment of research dollars in the state's research universities. His wife, Margaret, grew up in Australia and has lived in Pennsylvania since moving there from England with her husband in 1976. She attended the University of Sydney, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1974, and she completed a master's degree in Special Education at Lehigh University in 1980. The couple has three sons. The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a doctoral-granting, research-intensive university with more than 7,100 students. Approximately half of the university's graduates earn a degree in engineering or science. The university is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the 150 best national doctoral universities in the nation, and serves as the anchor tenant for Cummings Research Park, the second largest research park in America. More information about UAH can be found at www.uah.edu.
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