Ford to take helm as Mississippi State’s new Bagley College of Engineering dean
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.—A seasoned higher education administrator with a vision for elevating ̫ӳ’s James Worth Bagley College of Engineering to an even higher level of national prominence has been named the next dean.
David M. Ford, a chemical engineer who earned doctoral and master’s degrees at the University of Pennsylvania, comes to ̫ӳ from his current role as dean of Central Michigan University’s College of Science and Engineering. The appointment is pending formal approval by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning.
As dean of ̫ӳ’s Bagley COE, Ford will also hold the Earnest W. and Mary Ann Deavenport Jr. Endowed Chair in Engineering. Deavenport, a Macon native and 1960 ̫ӳ chemical engineering graduate, concluded a successful business career in 2001 when he retired as chairman and chief executive officer of Kingsport, Tenn.-based Eastman Chemical Co. Mary Ann Penton Deavenport is a Bay Springs native and University of Southern Mississippi graduate.
The Deavenports have for decades been longtime, faithful supporters of ̫ӳ.
Ford will succeed former BCOE Dean Jason Keith, who was recently appointed provost of Iowa State University.
̫ӳ Executive Vice President and Provost David Shaw said he anticipates a March 1 start date for Ford, and he expressed appreciation for the leadership of Interim Dean Robert Green, a longtime Bagley College administrator and faculty member who was not a candidate for the permanent role.
“Dr. Ford brings a wealth of experience to the Bagley College of Engineering and has a great vision to lead students, faculty and staff to maximize their potential. I expect he will also leverage research, education and economic development opportunities to achieve new heights in ̫ӳ engineering initiatives on campus, throughout Mississippi and around the globe,” said Shaw. “David demonstrates the opportunity for next-level leadership in our engineering program.”
Ford has leadership experience from engineering degree programs at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; University of Massachusetts, Amherst; and Texas A&M University. He has held roles including department head, professor, associate dean, graduate and undergraduate program director.
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