Randy Lewis Moves On

 “We are happy for the opportunities that opened for Dr. Randy Lewis, but sad that he is leaving us.” says OSU ChE Head Russ Rhinehart. In August 2005 Randy will become a chaired Professor in Chemical Engineering at Brigham Young University. For those wishing to contact him, email randy.lewis@byu.edu.

 Randy earned his BS in chemical engineering from BYU in 1989 and his PhD from MIT in 1995; then started his 11-year career at OSU. While here, he was awarded the 1999 Halliburton Outstanding Young CEAT Faculty Member, and the 2003 Halliburton Outstanding (but no longer young) CEAT Faculty Member. In 2000 he was named Outstanding Advisor for CEAT, and in 2001 National Advisor of the Year for AIChE. These honors recognize Randy’s outstanding contributions in all aspects of faculty performance. 

“I wish I could give him a good recommendation. But, I can’t.” Russ Rhinehart told the BYU search committee. They understood the meaning, and offered Randy the position, where he will be developing a bio-processing program for BYU, as he had done for OSU. 

While here Randy started the ChemE Car competition, and advised the AIChE Student chapter. In 1999 our students hosted the national student conference, and next year they will host the regional student conference. Because of the broad student participation, multiple activities developing professionalism and providing service, the student chapter received 8 national “Outstanding” ratings in the past 9 years. For the past two years, assistant professor Sundar Madihally co-advised the student chapter and ChemE Car competition with Randy, and the car teams swept 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd in the regional competition. So, while Randy is leaving, Sundar has shown that he is ready and able to sustain these important student enrichment activities.

 Randy initiated the bio-medical/chemical option for the undergraduate program, in which about 35% of our students are enrolled. He also built a strong research program, graduating about 1 PhD each year, 1 MS every other year, and employing about 1 to 2 undergraduates per year as research assistants.

 For the past several years Randy was the undergraduate advisor and had been the faculty lead in creating the continuous quality improvement process for learning objectives that is required for undergraduate accreditation.

 Meanwhile, at the national level, after serving on multiple committees and progressive leadership responsibilities, he rose to be the 2003-2004 Chair of the Career and Education Operating Council for AIChE.

 “As the photos show, this is how to earn a free lunch!” Rhinehart also adds, “We are going to miss his energy and contributions to OSU ChE excellence. But, as revealed throughout our news articles, we have an outstanding faculty. All of our faculty members have won local awards, and many national awards. We have shifted assignments to fill the temporary void; and have permission to open a search for a new faculty member, who we will also nurture to greatness and dedication to our traditions of student accomplishment.