Current developments at the Center for Manufacturing...
New Leadership: Dr. Bruce Walcott Appointed
as Center Director The UK Center for Manufacturing is delighted to welcome Dr. Bruce Walcott who has assumed the role of Center Director as of July 1, 2007. The author of many technical articles on nonlinear systems, intelligent identification and control via neural networks, fuzzy logic control, robotics, genetic algorithms, and active vibration control of nonlinear systems, Dr. Walcott also holds more than a dozen patents in these areas. In addition to his interests in research and invention, Dr. Walcott is a strong advocate for engineering and entrepreneurship in Kentucky and inside UK, something he fosters in his continuing role as Associate Dean of Commercialization and Economic Development. In this role, Dr. Walcott was instrumental to attracting the first aerospace engineering design company in Central Kentucky. It’s his hope that this effort will attract further economic expansion in aerospace and other engineering companies, as did the location of Toyota’s first manufacturing plant to Kentucky twenty years ago. As co-founder and interim director for the UK Center for Visualization and Virtual Environments, does he have any ideas about the director’s role?
“I have had the privilege to follow two outstanding directors of engineering centers—Brad Carter and Larry Holloway. The key to leadership in an academic setting is to first create a culture of collegiality, collaboration, and excitement that permeates the students, staff, and faculty. Having done this, the director must help promote the center and provide resources for the center’s success. Key to this success is having creative and talented people in the center feel enabled, empowered, and enthused.
In this regard, I am blessed with this new assignment… the creative and talented people are already here and already working together. And I’m honored to have the opportunity to help them focus on and find the support they need to tackle the vital problems we are currently facing in Kentucky and as a nation.”
Email Dr. Bruce Walcott or phone him at 859.257.1182. other center news
Automotive Research Alliance
Mass Customization
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