UA College of Engineering Announces Three New Cudworth Professorships

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama College of Engineering recently announced Drs. Raghvendra Pandey, Robert Pitt and Doru Stefanescu have been appointed Cudworth Professors for their excellence in scholarship, research and teaching. The James R. Cudworth Memorial Engineering Professorship Fund was established in 1984 in memory of James Cudworth, former dean of the College of Engineering.

Pandey, professor of electrical and computer engineering, received his bachelor of science from Bihar University in India, his master’s from Patna University, also in India, and his doctorate from the University of Cologne in Germany. He came to the University in 1997. Pandey has 30 years of academic and 12 years of industrial experience. He is a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Presently, the focus of his research includes growth and characterization of electronic materials, integrated structured devices and Spintronics. He has received several professional society awards and honors and has authored or co-authored more than 100 research papers and two advanced level research books. He has more than 11 patents and invention disclosures.

Pitt, professor of civil and environmental engineering, joined the College in 2001, after 14 years at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He received his bachelor of science from Humboldt State University, his master’s from San Jose State University, and his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on the sources, movement and effects of pathogens in urban areas. Pitt recently received the 2002 Distinguished Service Citation from the University of Wisconsin School of Engineering recognizing his service to engineering throughout the country. He has received several professional awards and honors and has authored or co-authored more than 100 research papers and eight books.

Stefanescu, professor of metallurgical and materials engineering, received his bachelor of science in metallurgical engineering from University Politehnica Bucharest in Romania in 1965 and his doctorate from the same university in 1973. With UA since 1980, his research focuses on solidification processing.

Stefanescu has received numerous professional society awards and honors and is the author of more than 300 scientific and technical publications. He also has authored or co-authored more than 11 patents. Stefanescu is a Fellow of ASM International, an alumnus of the American Foundry Society, and holds an honorary doctorate from two foreign universities.

The James R. Cudworth Memorial Engineering Professorship Fund was established in 1984 from gifts donated by the Board of Trustees in memory of James R. Cudworth, former dean of the College of Engineering. Endowed professorships enhance the quality of programs in higher education through both the recognition and contributions of the professors.

Distinguished scholars, who hold these most prestigious positions, make significant contributions to the research and teaching missions of the University, and they increase the visibility of the University, which aids in attracting high-quality faculty, excellent students and external resources for research.

In 1837, UA became the first university in the state to offer engineering classes and was one of the first five in the nation to do so. Today, the College of Engineering, with about 1,900 students and more than 90 faculty, is one of the three oldest continuously operating engineering programs in the country and has been fully accredited since accreditation standards were implemented in the 1930s.