The Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University is excited to announce the appointment of Jeffrey Fergus as its new dean, starting on August 10. The Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Austin Agho, expressed excitement about Fergus joining the leadership team.
Fergus currently serves as the associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment at Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. He brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having overseen numerous programs and initiatives during his time at Auburn. Fergus is confident in his ability to lead the college to further success, building on the foundation he has laid during his time as interim dean.
Fergus’s academic background includes an undergraduate degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He also has experience as a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Sensor Materials at the University of Notre Dame. Fergus has contributed significantly to the field of engineering with over 180 publications that have been cited over 14,000 times by other researchers. His research projects have focused on materials for gas turbine engines, batteries, fuel cells, and chemical sensors.
In addition to his academic accomplishments, Fergus has taken on leadership roles in industry organizations such as the Electrochemical Society and The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society. He has also been involved with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, serving as the Chair of the Engineering Accreditation Commission from 2019 to 2020. The University community looks forward to welcoming Dr. Fergus and benefiting from his expertise and leadership in the field of engineering.