Robert E. Stiemke
Encyclopedia
Robert E. Stiemke was an American civil engineer
, director of the Georgia Tech School of Civil Engineering from 1950 to 1962, director of the Georgia Tech Research Institute
from 1961 to 1963, and Georgia Tech's first Associate Dean of Faculties and Administrator of Research after July 1, 1963.
In 1950, Stiemke joined the Georgia Institute of Technology
faculty as director of the School of Civil Engineering in the College of Engineering
. He revived the program and was a widely-respected administrator for his accomplishments there.
), replacing James E. Boyd
. As director, Stiemke focused on continuing Boyd'd successful campaign to grow the station, although the station saw a 10 percent decrease in contracts after Boyd's departure, largely attributed to administrative problems. Stiemke also cited inadequate research space and poor institute communications as contributing factors and made efforts to ameliorate these problems.
Much of the administrative focus at this time was on the propriety of research being conducted at the Engineering Experiment Station (as opposed to within the academic units), a great source of friction between Georgia Tech's faculty and full-time researchers at the station. In an effort to resolve these issues, Stiemke attempted to bring the station closer to Georgia Tech; in particular, both closer cooperation between the station and the academic departments; and that the station's work should be more relevant to modern academic work. "Research, not only here at the Station, but in the instructional departments, should be coordinated for the greatest benefit of all."
, correlated with a decision to separate general academic research from contract research (a move popular with faculty but unpopular in the experiment station). Stiemke was later replaced as director by Wyatt C. Whitley
. As a result of this and related changes, research at both the station and the academic departments saw a sharp increase.
Other administrative reorganizations would again push Stiemke into new jobs; Harrison had decided on the creation of five vice presidents, and Dr. Jesse W. Mason, Dean
of the College of Engineering
since 1948, was Harrison's pick for Vice Presidents for Special Projects (later known as Vice President for Programs); Mason declined the position, preferring to simply teach if he could not be Dean of Engineering. As a result, Stiemke was interim Dean of Engineering until future Georgia Tech president Arthur G. Hansen
was hired as Dean of Engineering in September 1966. At that point, Stiemke became the Vice President for Programs.
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
, director of the Georgia Tech School of Civil Engineering from 1950 to 1962, director of the Georgia Tech Research Institute
Georgia Tech Research Institute
The Georgia Tech Research Institute is the nonprofit applied research arm of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, United States...
from 1961 to 1963, and Georgia Tech's first Associate Dean of Faculties and Administrator of Research after July 1, 1963.
Early career
Stiemke taught at Wayne University in Detroit, North Carolina State College, and Pennsylvania State College. While at N.C. State, Stiemke was in charge of that school's engineering experiment station.In 1950, Stiemke joined the Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
faculty as director of the School of Civil Engineering in the College of Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology College of Engineering
The College of Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technologyprovides formal education and research in more than 10 fields of engineering, including:...
. He revived the program and was a widely-respected administrator for his accomplishments there.
Engineering Experiment Station
From 1961 to 1963, Stiemke was the director of the Engineering Experiment Station (now known as the Georgia Tech Research InstituteGeorgia Tech Research Institute
The Georgia Tech Research Institute is the nonprofit applied research arm of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, United States...
), replacing James E. Boyd
James E. Boyd (scientist)
James Emory "Jim" Boyd was an American physicist, mathematician, and academic administrator. He was director of the Georgia Tech Research Institute from 1957 to 1961, president of West Georgia College from 1961 to 1971, and acting president of the Georgia Institute of Technology from 1971 to...
. As director, Stiemke focused on continuing Boyd'd successful campaign to grow the station, although the station saw a 10 percent decrease in contracts after Boyd's departure, largely attributed to administrative problems. Stiemke also cited inadequate research space and poor institute communications as contributing factors and made efforts to ameliorate these problems.
Much of the administrative focus at this time was on the propriety of research being conducted at the Engineering Experiment Station (as opposed to within the academic units), a great source of friction between Georgia Tech's faculty and full-time researchers at the station. In an effort to resolve these issues, Stiemke attempted to bring the station closer to Georgia Tech; in particular, both closer cooperation between the station and the academic departments; and that the station's work should be more relevant to modern academic work. "Research, not only here at the Station, but in the instructional departments, should be coordinated for the greatest benefit of all."
Administrator
As part of this campaign, on July 1, 1963, Stiemke proposed and was appointed to the position of Associate Dean of Faculties and Administrator of Research by Georgia Tech president Edwin D. HarrisonEdwin D. Harrison
Edwin Davies Harrison was the sixth president of the Georgia Institute of Technology , from 1957 to 1969. It was in Harrison's honor that the first 'T' was stolen from the face of Tech Tower....
, correlated with a decision to separate general academic research from contract research (a move popular with faculty but unpopular in the experiment station). Stiemke was later replaced as director by Wyatt C. Whitley
Wyatt C. Whitley
Wyatt C. Whitley was an American chemist, professor of chemistry and a former director of the Engineering Experiment Station at the Georgia Institute of Technology from 1963 until 1968.-Education:Whitley received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Wake Forest College in 1929...
. As a result of this and related changes, research at both the station and the academic departments saw a sharp increase.
Other administrative reorganizations would again push Stiemke into new jobs; Harrison had decided on the creation of five vice presidents, and Dr. Jesse W. Mason, Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the College of Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology College of Engineering
The College of Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technologyprovides formal education and research in more than 10 fields of engineering, including:...
since 1948, was Harrison's pick for Vice Presidents for Special Projects (later known as Vice President for Programs); Mason declined the position, preferring to simply teach if he could not be Dean of Engineering. As a result, Stiemke was interim Dean of Engineering until future Georgia Tech president Arthur G. Hansen
Arthur G. Hansen
Arthur Gene "Art" Hansen was a philanthropist and former chancellor of several American universities.-Education:...
was hired as Dean of Engineering in September 1966. At that point, Stiemke became the Vice President for Programs.