Daniel J. Pack, Ph.D., Appointed Dean of Baylor’s School of Engineering and Computer Science

January 5, 2023

Long-serving dean at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will join Baylor ECS June 1

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-709-5959
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WACO, Texas (Jan. 5, 2023) – Following a nationwide search, Baylor University Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., announced today that Daniel J. Pack, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and a 2005 Carnegie U.S. Professor of the Year, has been selected as dean of the Baylor School of Engineering and Computer Science. His appointment is effective June 1.

Pack will join Baylor after serving since 2015 as dean at UTC, providing leadership of departments in civil and chemical engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, engineering management and technology and mechanical engineering. Before joining UTC, Dr. Pack was professor and The Mary Lou Clarke Endowed Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio and as professor (now professor emeritus) of electrical and computer engineering at the United States Air Force Academy. At the USAFA, he served as director of the Academy Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research.

“Daniel Pack brings a wealth of experience building engineering programs,” Brickhouse said. “He has had a big impact at every department and school he has led – in terms of both growing the research profile of the unit as well as growing educational opportunities for engineering students. Dr. Pack knows what it takes to be a successful dean – and I am excited to work with him as he brings his expertise to bear at Baylor.”

“I am honored to be a member of the amazing Baylor team and am grateful for the confidence President Livingstone and Provost Brickhouse placed in me to serve as the next Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science,” Pack said. “Fully embracing the University’s Christian mission and the strategic plan, Illuminate, in making world-wide impact through education, research and service, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work cooperatively together with the Baylor team and serve. The limitless potential of the School is inspiring.”

Pack received his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Arizona State University, a Master of Science in engineering sciences from Harvard University and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Purdue University. He also spent a year as a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Lincoln Laboratory.

Pack will join the Baylor School of Engineering and Computer Science, which offers nationally ranked undergraduate and graduate programs with rigorous courses of study in general engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, bioinformatics and computer science. With state-of-the-art research facilities, renowned faculty and an innovative approach to undergraduate life and leadership development, Baylor ECS offers the advantages of a large-scale research institution with the personal attention students need to succeed.

Under Pack’s leadership at UTC, the College of Engineering and Computer Science provided an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. As a strong economic driver in the Tennessee Valley Corridor, his faculty are actively involved in research in urban science (smart cities), energy and networked systems, data analytics, infrastructure engineering, information security, quality control, robotics, fluid dynamics and automotive systems.

He has co-authored seven textbooks on embedded systems (including 68HC12 Microcontroller: Theory and Applications and Embedded Systems: Design and Applications with the 68HC12 and HCS12) and published more than 130 book chapters, technical journal/transactions and conference papers on unmanned systems, cooperative control, robotics, pattern recognition and engineering education. Dr. Pack has received number of teaching and research awards including the Carnegie U.S. Professor of the Year Award, Frank J. Seiler Research Excellence Award, Tau Beta Pi Outstanding Professor Award, Academy Educator Award and Magoon Award. He is a member of Eta Kappa Nu (Electrical Engineering Honor Society), Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American Society of Engineering Education.

Pack is a registered Professional Engineer in Colorado and has served as Editor-at-Large for Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems and as Associate Editor for IEEE Systems Journal. His research interests include unmanned aerial vehicles, intelligent control, automatic target recognition, robotics and engineering education.

Provost Brickhouse also thanked the 13-member search committee for their valuable time and service during the successful nationwide search process: Kevin Chambliss (chair), Michelle Aars, Erich Baker, Erica Bruce, Patrick Farmer, Jonathan Hu, Peter Klein, Larry Lyon, Anne Spence, Elon Terrell, Mike Thompson and Annette von Jouanne. The provost also expressed her appreciation for Baker’s leadership since Aug. 1 as interim dean of ECS.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor’s School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) has been preparing its students for more than 25 years as innovators for worldwide impact by training graduates for professional practice and responsible leadership with a Christian view. Students can choose from majors including bioinformatics, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, general engineering and mechanical engineering. ECS also offers graduate programs in all areas of study within the School. We stand out from the crowd through Christian commitment, a strong community, expert accessibility, leading practical experience and teamwork. Visit baylor.edu/ecs to learn more and follow on Facebook at facebook.com/BaylorECS and on Instagram at @Baylor_ECS.