Faculty
Dr. Paul E. Torgersen, P.E.
John W. Hancock, Jr. Chair in Engineering & President Emeritus
201 Durham Hall
Phone: 540-231-6491
Fax: 540-231-3322
Email: tennis@vt.edu
Biographical Information
Education
- Ph.D., Ohio State University, 1959
- M.S., Ohio State University, 1956
- B.S., Lehigh University, 1953
Research Accomplishments
Have consulted or performed joint research with approximately 10 companies. Am now serving or have served on the boards of five companies.
Recent Course Responsibilities
Scientific and Professional Societies of Which a Member:
- Sigma Tau; American Arbitration Association; Alpha Pi Mu;
- Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) — Fellow;
- Omicron Delta Kappa; American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) — Fellow
- Tau Beta Pi; National Academy of Engineering (NAE)
Institutional and Professional Service in the Past Five Years
- Elected to the Council, National Academy of Engineering
- Chairman, Engineering Achievements Book Committee, National Academy of Engineering
- Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, National Academies of Science and Engineering
Professional Development Activities in the Past Five Years
- Speaking engagements to alumni chapters, to Rotary and other civic organizations with well over 10 engagements completed.
- Serving on Governor's Council recommending Board of Visitor appointments to Virginia colleges and universities, 2000-present.
- Fundraising for the College of Engineering.
Honors and Awards
- Marvin H. Agee Distinguished Alumni Award for service as department Head, 1967-1970 2005/2006.
- Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Award, 2001, IIE.
- Profiles in IE, “Tireless educator, fearless leader,” IIE Solutions, September 2001.
- Ms Silver Hope Award (Multiple Sclerosis) roasted at Annual Dinner of Champions, November 2, 2000.
- Dedication of the Communications and Information Technology facility on the Virginia Tech campus, named Paul E. Torgersen Hall, October 6, 2000.
- Southwest Virginia Business Hall of Fame Laureate, Junior Achievement, September 20, 2000.
- Commonwealth of Virginia, General Assembly, House/Senate Joint Resolution No. 97, January/February 2000.
WHEREAS, throughout his exceptional 33-year career at Virginia Tech, Paul E. Torgersen has served the university with great distinction, and Virginia Tech's unprecedented growth, success, and national reputation can be credited, in large part, to the uncommon abilities of its president; now, therefore, be it.
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Paul E. Torgersen for his exceptional career of service to Virginia Tech and the Commonwealth.
- Endowed Scholarship — Paul E. Torgersen Scholarship — Funded by Virginia Tech Foundation, 1999.
- Honorary Doctor of Engineering, Lehigh University, October 9, 1997.
- Golden Key National Honor Society, 1995.
- Lamme Medal, American Society of Engineering Education, 1994.
- Virginia's Engineering Educator-of-the-Year (second award made by Virginia Society of Professional Engineers), 1992.
- Received the Sporn Award, selected by the engineering student body "in recognition of excellence in teaching,” 1991—1992.
- Received the Benjamin G. Lamme Meritorious Achievement Medal, (Distinguished Alumnus), Ohio State University, May 18, 1990.
- In spring, 1990, at the conclusion of a twenty-year tenure as Dean, engineering alumni awarded him and his wife a one-week vacation with tickets each day to the tennis finals at Wimbledon. Engineering faculty awarded his wife a one-week vacation in the Caribbean “with the engineering professor of her choice.”
- Toulmin Medal, best published paper, by the Society of American Military Engineers, 1987.
- Elected to the National Academy of Engineering, 1986.
- Scholarship established (Paul E. Torgersen Leadership Scholarship) by Student Engineer's Council, Virginia Tech, 1985.
- Affirmative Action Award (first award made), Virginia Tech, 1984.
- Received Best-Published-Paper-Award, Southeastern Section, ASEE, for “Engineering Education and the Second Obligation,” 1980.
