Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 08 October 13, 1994 - Torgersen presented honorary degree from Lehigh University

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Torgersen presented honorary degree from Lehigh University

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 08 - October 13, 1994

President Paul Torgersen received an honorary doctor of engineering degree at Lehigh University's 116th annual Founder's Day ceremonies last Sunday.

Torgersen earned a B.S. in industrial engineering from Lehigh in 1953, after serving in the U.S. Air Force. He earned his master of science and Ph.D. from Ohio State university.

Torgersen was cited as "a nationally recognized leader and educator in the field of engineering and technology." In addition to his duties as Virginia Tech president, he serves as the John W. Hancock Jr. chair in engineering and president of the Corporate Research Center. He served as dean of the College of Engineering from 1970-1990.

Prior to coming to Virginia Tech, Torgersen taught at Ohio State University and Oklahoma State University. He has served as chairman of the Engineering Dean's Council, the national organization of engineering deans. Gov. Charles Robb appointed him to the Task Force on Science and Technology.

Elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1986, Torgersen received the university's first Affirmative Action Award in 1984. A scholarship in his name was established by the undergraduate engineering student body in 1985, and in 1991, he received an award for excellence in teaching.

Torgersen is the author or co-author of five books. Two of his books have been translated into Japanese and one into Hungarian.