Carboline Co. establishes professorship in corrosion engineering program
The University of Akron and The Carboline Co. of St. Louis, Mo., recently announced the creation of the Carboline Chair in Corrosion and Reliability Engineering at UA. Through a gift to the University’s College of Engineering, Carboline is funding a full-time faculty position dedicated to education and research.
About the College of Engineering
The UA College of Engineering is the fourth fastest growing college of engineering in the country among the 150 largest; (source: American Society for Engineering Education) and the fastest growing in the state. The college’s current 2,142 undergraduate enrollment represents a 55 percent increase in enrollment between fall 2004 and fall 2009. Visit the college's Web site.
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“We are pleased to have an investment from Carboline in our innovative corrosion and reliability engineering program. The stature of the company will help us to attract top candidates for this position. We are grateful to Carboline, and RPM, for their support,” says Dr. Luis M. Proenza, president of The University of Akron.
Industry leader extends support
Carboline President Richard M. Wilson says that Carboline’s leadership role in the prediction, control and mitigation of corrosion through advanced coatings, along with its long-term history of providing comprehensive solutions for its customers, led to the company’s decision.
“We see this collaboration with a premier research university and engineering college as one that will not only provide a competitive resource for our company, but help educate a talent pipeline of trained engineers in corrosion and reliability engineering.” Wilson says.
Carboline’s partnership with UA’s Corrosion and Reliability Engineering program extends opportunities for research and technology demonstration projects, adds Frank C. Sullivan, chairman and chief executive officer of RPM International, Carboline’s parent firm.
The faculty position will be posted immediately and, following a successful search, it is anticipated to commence in fall 2010.
Long-term investment is welcome
“Carboline is an excellent partner for this funded chair. In these economic times, Carboline is stepping up to invest in long-term technical advances that can be made in corrosion prediction, mitigation and control. This leadership will pay benefits to Carboline’s customers and to our students,” says Dr. George Haritos, dean of the UA College of Engineering. “We applaud the company’s foresight, and look forward to working with Carboline as collaborators in mutual pursuit of advances in the field.”
The College of Engineering at UA, in fall 2010, will launch the first baccalaureate program in corrosion and reliability engineering in the nation, with initial funding through the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Corrosion Policy and Oversight in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense, Acquisition Technology and Logistics. Housed in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the program will focus on teaching and research. Dr. Joe Payer, research professor of corrosion and reliability engineering, will lead the research portion of the new program. Learn about the new academic program.
About The Carboline Co.
Carboline, a subsidiary of the RPM International, Inc., is a world-leading supplier of corrosion resistant products specializing in high-performance coatings, linings, and fireproofing. The company offers customers the most technically sound products, the highest quality in manufacturing, superior customer service, and industry leading technical service. Carboline is committed to providing products and services at a level of quality that meets or exceeds requirements and customer expectations.
Media contact: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu.