One of Cal Poly Pomona’s most influential and effective leaders has announced his intent to retire. Dr. Edward Hohmann, who has served the university with distinction as dean of the College of Engineering and professor of chemical and materials engineering for 38 years, will retire on June 30, 2011.
“In the simplest of terms, I have enjoyed an extraordinary career. This is a special place, and I am grateful to have served in one of the nation’s best engineering programs,” said Hohmann. “We are one of the great success stories in public higher education, thanks to the work of our faculty and staff. It has been my privilege to serve alongside each of them.”
During Hohmann’s tenure, Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Engineering has consistently been ranked among the top 15 undergraduate programs in the nation, according to US News and World Report. The dean also led the development and construction of a state-of-the-art learning center in 2001. The engineering laboratory (Building 17) added nearly 118,000 square feet of classroom and laboratory space for the college. He is the longest serving dean among the 15 engineering colleges in the CSU.
“The word legendary is more than appropriate when describing Dean Hohmann’s achievements,” said President Michael Ortiz. “He is a true academician who has exemplified the application of a learning-centered education. Ed has made enormous contributions to Cal Poly Pomona and the entire CSU system. His departure leaves a large void in California’s academic engineering community.”
Hohmann joined Cal Poly Pomona in September of 1971 as an assistant professor in the then chemical engineering department. He became department chair in 1979 and dean in 1984. He also served briefly as interim vice president for Academic Affairs and as interim founding vice president for I&IT. The College of Engineering has 12 Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited undergraduate programs and four master’s degrees. The college celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007 and produces one of every 15 engineers in California.
“In my relatively short time here, I have benefited greatly from Ed’s thoughtful perspective and depth of experience on campus,” said Provost Marten denBoer. “Thanks to his leadership, our College of Engineering stands as one of the top academic programs in the nation. Ed’s will be difficult shoes to fill.”
The university will conduct a comprehensive national search, forming a committee this spring and finalizing, by early 2011, a candidate who would start in summer 2011. Dean Hohmann has graciously agreed to serve during the search process.