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Ron Madler Takes Over as Dean for Prescott’s College of Engineering; Gary Northam Steps Up for College of Aviation

Prescott, Ariz., Sept. 2, 2010 -- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University President Dr. John P. Johnson is pleased to announce that Ronald A. Madler, Ph.D., has been appointed the new dean for the College of Engineering at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott, Ariz. campus. Dr. Madler will take over from Dr. Richard Felton who announced his retirement last spring after 22 years of distinguished service to Embry-Riddle and 27 years of service to his country in the U.S. Air Force.

Dr. Madler’s transition to dean for the college is supported by his academic achievements and 16 years of experience at Embry-Riddle. He has held the position of Associate Professor and chair of the Aerospace Engineering Program. Dr. Madler has supervised numerous research grants, participated in numerous NASA Space Grant projects, and he is an active member of numerous professional organizations and the recipient of numerous professional awards.

“Dr. Madler’s credentials speak for themselves; he is a man of integrity, and he is respected by his peers, the university administration, the campus community and his students. He is a tireless mentor and he is a natural leader to take the helm from Dr. Richard Felton,” said Dr. Frank Ayers, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for the Prescott campus. “His reputation and desire to keep our engineering program ranked as one of the top in the nation will benefit our students tremendously.”

As dean for the College of Engineering, Dr. Madler will be responsible for the strategic direction of the college. He focuses on facilities, accreditation, curriculum reform, and he is the contact for external relations. He is the primary interface with the Worldwide and Daytona Beach campuses and represents the college in the President's Council, Academic Council, Dean's Council and Campus Council. In addition he will have teaching responsibilities in the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Departments. The College of Engineering at the Prescott campus offers Bachelor of Science programs in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

“I am excited about my new role and I am proud to represent one of the best education opportunities for students across the world,” Dr. Madler said. “We have some of the best engineering facilities for research and learning and incredibly talented and dedicated faculty. This is a great environment with talented professors and focused students. There is no place else I would rather be.”

Dr. Madler has been with Embry-Riddle since 1994. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado. Dr. Madler earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo.

Dr. Johnson also announced that Dr. Gary Northam, chair of the Safety Science Department, was tapped to serve as interim dean of the College of Aviation. Dr. Northam currently oversees the academic programs in aviation safety for undergraduate study as well as the Master of Science in Safety Science (MSSS). The MSSS program has seen steady growth under Dr. Northam’s leadership since he joined the Prescott Campus five years ago.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to help all elements of the College of Aviation, especially to prepare students effectively and educate them for professions in the aviation field,” Dr. Northam said.

As interim dean, Dr. Northam’s primary focus will be on curriculum and program development for the college. The College of Aviation offers Bachelor degrees in aeronautical science, aeronautics, applied meteorology and the Masters of Science in Safety Science.

Dr. Northam came to Prescott from Parks College of Engineering and Aviation at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Mo. where he was chair of the Department of Aviation Science. While there, he served 10 years in academic leadership positions, including as graduate program coordinator and as an instructor in flight, aviation science and aviation management.

Prior, he chaired the Technologies Department and taught Aviation Technology at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas.

“I have every confidence in Dr. Gary Northam’s new role in the College of Aviation. He has a solid background in every aspect of teaching aviation from ground school to airport planning, plus his credentials in academic leadership are stellar,” said Dr. Frank Ayers.

Dr. Northam has a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 150 campus centers in the United States, Europe, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit http://prescott.erau.edu.

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