03-06-07

Media Release

OSU Engineer Named New Boeing Professor of Design

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Robert Paasch, a professor of mechanical engineering at Oregon State University, has been named the university’s new Boeing Professor of Mechanical Engineering Design.

The professorship was established by Boeing in 1992 to support and augment the mechanical engineering design curriculum at OSU.

“We at Boeing are excited about the appointment of Robert Paasch as the new Boeing professor,” said Jeff Klemann, Boeing quality director and current OSU–Boeing ‘executive focal.’

“Bob has a stellar record of design instruction at OSU,” Klemann added. “He possesses the experience and understanding of advanced design processes, and his design and real industry practices knowledge are a definite asset for creating work-ready graduates."

Paasch, an OSU faculty member for 17 years, worked closely with the first Boeing professor, Bill Reiter, to introduce topics such as digital enterprise technology and product lifecycle management into the curriculum. He also improved the hands-on component of the undergraduate mechanical engineering experience at OSU, expanded the student machine shop, introduced new design software and other technologies, and enhanced student training in engineering design.

In his new position, Paasch plans to bring global product development into the engineering curriculum, develop global academic relationships, and create projects that use global design teams. His research interests include design for universal access, mechanical design interface with machine learning and artificial intelligence, diagnostics of mechanical systems and new product realization.

The Boeing Company has a long collaboration with OSU, including collaborative research relationships with faculty, participation in curriculum development, and material support including lab equipment, software donations, scholarships and fellowships.