July 26, 2018

Dear Campus Community,

We are pleased to announce that Levi T. Thompson, the Richard E. Balzhiser Collegiate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan, has been named dean of the University of Delaware’s College of Engineering. An alumnus of the University of Delaware, Dr. Thompson also will be appointed as Elizabeth Inez Kelley Professor of Chemical Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. He will assume his new role on Oct. 1.

Dr. Thompson’s inspirational vision for engineering, collaborative approach to build bridges across disciplines, entrepreneurial spirit, and engaging leadership will serve UD well. A 1981 graduate of UD with a bachelor’s in chemical engineering, he went on to earn master’s degrees in chemical engineering and nuclear engineering, as well as his doctorate in chemical engineering, from the University of Michigan. He began his academic career in 1988 as assistant professor of chemical engineering at the University of Michigan and rose to the rank of Balzhiser Professor in 2005, with joint appointments in chemical and mechanical engineering.

Since 2005, he has served as director of the university-wide Hydrogen Energy Technology Laboratory and director of the Michigan-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. He has received numerous awards, including the University of Delaware Outstanding Alumnus award in 2006. From 2001 through 2005, he served as associate dean for undergraduate education in Michigan’s College of Engineering, helping the College to experience significant increases in diversity, student retention and undergraduate enrollment, as well as an improved ranking. A more extensive story on Dr. Thompson is available on UDaily.

We want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Dr. Babatunde Ogunnaike, who has served as dean of the College of Engineering since 2011. Under his dedicated leadership, the college enjoyed great success. His commitment to the College—its students, faculty, staff and alumni—will be felt for many years to come, and we are pleased that he will remain on the faculty so he can continue to impact the lives and careers of our engineering students. We now look forward to working with Dr. Thompson to build on those successes while also growing the faculty and student body and expanding collaborations across campus and with industry partners.

Thanks to those of you who participated in the search process. We greatly appreciate your time and energy as we made our final decision on this important leadership position.

Please join us in giving Dr. Thompson a warm welcome to our Blue Hen community as he returns to his alma mater.

Dennis Assanis President	Robin Morgan Provost