ASH NAMED ASSOCIATE V.P. FOR RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Robert L. Ash has been named associate vice president for research and economic development at Old Dominion University, President Roseann Runte announced today.

He will be responsible for assisting in the development of a research park as well as furthering the growth of the university's research and enterprise centers. Additionally, he will continue to represent Old Dominion's research interests in Washington, D.C. Philip J. Langlais will continue to serve as dean of graduate studies and associate vice president for research with an emphasis on building the university's graduate programs and identifying and promoting interdisciplinary research.

"Dr. Ash's experience and contacts are invaluable. He is totally committed to Old Dominion's success and we are most fortunate to be able to keep him on the team," Runte said.

Ash, who had served as interim vice president for research since July 2002, joined the Old Dominion faculty as an assistant professor of engineering in 1967 and later was named eminent scholar and eminent professor of engineering.

During his tenure, he has served in numerous research and administrative positions at the university, including chair of the mechanical engineering and mechanics department and acting dean of the College of Engineering and Technology. He was also a Visiting Distinguished Research Engineer at NASA Langley Research Center.

Ash has received many awards during his career, including NASA Group Achievement Awards and Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Professor and Outstanding Teaching Awards at Old Dominion, and is listed in "Who's Who in Engineering." In 1993 he was named Virginia's Engineering Educator of the Year. His areas of expertise include space systems, thermal physics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer.

Ash earned his doctorate in mechanical engineering and master's degree from Tulane University, and his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Kansas State University.