Timothy W. Simpson

[M.S.M.E. 1995, Ph.D. ME 1998]
Professor
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
Pennsylvania State University

E-mail: tws8@psu.edu

I didn't realize how well prepared I was for my job as an assistant professor at Penn State until after I left Tech. Between my advisor's mentoring, teaching practicum and the Woodruff Teaching Fellowship, and my experiences as lab manager of the Systems Realization Laboratory, I established a strong foundation for a career in academia. A large portion of that I owe to my advisor, Prof. Farrokh Mistree, who went above and beyond the call of duty in preparing me for the professoriate. As a testament to my preparation while at the Woodruff School, I received the 1999 Department Head's Outstanding Faculty Award in the Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering in recognition for my contributions to the Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering Department during my first year at Penn State.

Dr. Wepfer and the School's commitment to graduate recruiting and education stand out the most in my mind, followed closely by the outstanding School's faculty and facilities. I have since learned that the Woodruff School at Tech is the envy of many Mechanical Engineering departments around the country because of the faculty, facilities, and students, and I didn't realize how good I had it while I was there. And as far as I've heard, the facilities keep getting better and the faculty keep winning awards--simply amazing!

The program, faculty, and facilities are all outstanding, but what sets the Woodruff School about others, in my opinion, is the student body. Tech has always been committed to recruiting the best and the brightest students, and I feel fortunate to have been included in that group. I am still in close contact with many of my colleagues from graduate school, including students who preceded me into academia (Kemper Lewis and Wei Chen).

Anecdote

I still remember my first visit to Tech as a prospective grad student. I was running late for the first meeting that day, and as I passed Dr. Wepfer in the hall (I recognized him because of the Snoopy tie I heard he might be wearing), he stopped and turning to me said, "Ah, you must be Tim Simpson, please follow us this way." I was totally amazed that among all the confusion of herding 20 prospective students down the hall, he was able to recognize me and remember my name. At that moment I knew my experience at Tech was going to be special.