Dr. Steven Benzley is appointed as chair for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

June 2006

New Civil & Environmental Engineering Department Chair

The college announces the appointment of Dr. Steven Benzley as chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, replacing Dr. Wood Miller.  Dr. Benzley received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis and his M.S. and B.S. from BYU in Civil Engineering.  He has been an associate dean in BYU GE and Honors Education and an Associate Dean in the College of Engineering and Technology.  Prior to joining BYU, Dr. Benzley worked on the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories.  In 2006, Dr. Benzley received the Department Outstanding Achievement Award which honors a faculty member who excels in teaching, research and/or service.  Dr. Rollin Hotchkiss will serve as the Associate Department Chair.

Dr. Val Hawks is appointed as the Interim Director for the School of Technology

New Civil & Environmental Engineering Department Chair

With the departure of Dr. Tom Erekson, Dr. Val Hawks
has been appointed as the Interim Director of the School of Technology.  Dr. Hawks received his Ph.D. from Gonzaga University, M.S. from LeHigh University in Industrial Engineering and his B.S. from BYU in Design Engineering Technology.  In 2006, Dr Hawks received the Excellence in Leadership Professorship from the college which promotes and recognizes outstanding faculty efforts to implement aspects of leadership in curriculum and programs in support of college strategic objectives.   Prior to joining BYU, Dr. Hawks worked for 3M, Xerox Corp, and Ben Franklin Technical Center.   Dr. Hawks will serve as the director while a search is conducted for a permanent director.