Robert A. Altenkirch, P.E., an ASME Fellow, took office last month as the seventh president of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Formerly the vice president for research at Mississippi State University, Altenkirch succeeded ASME Fellow Saul K. Fenster, who retired after 24 years of service to the university.

Robert A. Altenkirch

Altenkirch was selected for his wide background in university research, teaching and administration with extensive experience in program development, fundraising and federal relations. His academic career at the University of Kentucky, Mississippi State and Washington State University was followed by his return to MSU as vice president for research. He served the University of Kentucky as professor and chair of mechanical engineering, MSU as professor and dean of the College of Engineering, and Washington State as professor and dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture. He has been a member of ASME since 1976.

Altenkirch's inauguration was attended by New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey and New Jersey State Senator Ronald L. Rice.

A New Jersey resident since August 2002, Altenkirch already has been given several appointments. His appointments in 2003 include the seven-member Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation, the Governor's newly created Commission on Jobs, Growth and Economic Development, and the Amistad Commission, which was established by the New Jersey legislature in 2002 to facilitate wider appreciation of the significant role African-Americans played in building the United States.

In 2002, Altenkirch was appointed to the board of directors of the Research and Development Council of New Jersey; the board of trustees of Prosperity New Jersey; and the review, planning and implementation steering committee of the Governor's Commission on Health Science, Education and Training.

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