Swanson School of Engineering

File:BenedumPitt.jpg and the Engineering Auditorium (in the foreground) is the primary home of the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.]]

The Swanson School of Engineering evolved out of the Western University of Pennsylvania, the former name of the University of Pittsburgh, offering specialized engineering subjects to students, although they were still required to complete their classical requirements. The first graduates in these engineering subjects were Isaac Morley and J. B. Stilly in 1846.{{cite book | url=http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=pittmiscpubs;idno=00afj8718m;seq=373 | title=Through One Hundred and Fifty Years: The University of Pittsburgh | chapter=Schools of Engineering and Mines | first=Agnes Lynch | last=Starrett | page=309 | year=1937 | publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press | location=Pittsburgh, PA | access-date=October 13, 2010}} Separate degree programs in mechanical and civil engineering were announced in 1868, and four year degrees resulting in separate engineering degrees were first implemented in 1870.{{cite book | url=http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=pittmiscpubs;idno=00afj8718m;seq=374 | title=Through One Hundred and Fifty Years: The University of Pittsburgh | chapter=Schools of Engineering and Mines | first=Agnes Lynch | last=Starrett | pages=310–311 | year=1937 | publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press | location=Pittsburgh, PA | access-date=October 13, 2010}} The school was the university's response to the years surrounding the Civil War that transformed Pittsburgh's industrial base from regional to international.

Degrees in civil engineering and mechanical engineering were offered beginning in 1868. Mining engineering was added in 1869 and Electrical Engineering in 1890. In 1909, the metallurgical engineering department was established, followed by the chemical engineering department and the world's first petroleum engineering department in 1910, with its first degree conferred in 1915.{{cite web|title=Petroleum Engineering|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/454409/petroleum-engineering#toc64689|publisher=Britannica|access-date=February 3, 2012}} The undergraduate cooperative education program was also initiated that year. The industrial engineering department was established in 1921 and the safety engineering program in 1930.{{cite news|title=71 TO STUDY SAFETY|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19301019&id=_EIdAAAAIBAJ&pg=1400,4660104&hl=en|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=news.google.com|agency=The Pittsburgh Press|date=October 19, 1930|page=11}} The bioengineering department was added in 1998.{{cite web|title=SSOE - History|url=http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/Friends-Giving-Administration/Office-of-the-Dean/History/|publisher=Pitt Swanson Engineering}}

In 2007 the school was renamed to the Swanson School of Engineering after John A. Swanson, founder of the computer software firm ANSYS, donated $41.3 million to the school.{{cite news | url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07340/839618-85.stm | title=Pitt engineering school renamed for alumnus giving $41.3 million | first=David | last=Templeton | newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | location=Pittsburgh, PA | date=December 6, 2007 | access-date=October 13, 2010}}

File:Benedum Hall - IMG 1431.JPG

The Swanson School of Engineering offers undergraduate, graduate degrees, and doctorates in 6 academic departments:

• Bioengineering
• Chemical and petroleum engineering
• Civil and environmental engineering
• Electrical and computer engineering
• Industrial engineering
• Mechanical engineering and materials science

Academic programs offered by the school include bioengineering, chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, civil engineering, mining engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, engineering science, industrial engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, and nuclear engineering.

Research centers housed in the school include:

• The Center for Energy
• The Center for Research Computing
• The Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
• The Petersen Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering
• The Lubrizol Innovation Laboratory (a partnership of the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department and Lubrizol){{cite web|author=Joe Miksch |url=http://www.news.pitt.edu/news/pitt-engineering-develops-strategic-alliance-lubrizol |title=Pitt Engineering Develops Strategic Alliance With Lubrizol | University of Pittsburgh News |publisher=News.pitt.edu |date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=June 24, 2017}}

The University of Pittsburgh Center for Energy is a research center housed in the Swanson School of Engineering that is dedicated to improving energy technology development and energy sustainability.{{cite web | url=http://www.energy.pitt.edu/About/index.asp | title=Center for Energy: About Us | publisher=University of Pittsburgh | year=2010 | access-date=February 9, 2012}} Comprising more than 70 faculty members and 200 students and postdocs, the center was scheduled to be housed on a floor of Benedum Hall undergoing a $15 million renovation.{{cite web | url=http://www.energy.pitt.edu/About/index.asp | title=The Center for Energy's Future Home | publisher=University of Pittsburgh | year=2010 | access-date=February 9, 2012}} The center was created in 2008 to bring together energy innovators across a range of engineering and academic disciplines. It also sought to develop stronger collaborations with energy industry partners in the Western Pennsylvania.{{cite journal | url=http://www.popcitymedia.com/innovationnews/energycenter030211.aspx | title=Pitt's Center for Energy shines spotlight on sector; Alstom Grid of France moves in | first=Deb | last=Smit | newspaper=Pop City |publisher=Issue Media Group, LLC | date=March 2, 2011 | access-date=February 9, 2012}} The center's faculty focus on five key areas of research that include energy delivery and reliability, carbon management and utilization, high-temperature and other advanced materials, energy efficiency, and unconventional gas resources.{{cite news | url=http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/?p=9673 | first=Bates | last=Daniel | title=Bullish on Energy: Pitt Center for Energy at Forefront of Critical, Specific Energy Challenges | newspaper=Pitt Chronicle | publisher=University of Pittsburgh | date=October 17, 2011 | access-date=February 10, 2012}}

In 2003, through funding from Jack Mascaro, the Heinz Endowments, and the George Bevier Estate, the Swanson School of Engineering established the Mascaro Sustainability Initiative, resulting in the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (MCSI).{{cite web|author=Robert Hill |url=http://www.news.pitt.edu/news/pitt-school-engineering-announces-creation-new-sustainability-initiative |title=Pitt School of Engineering Announces Creation of New Sustainability Initiative | University of Pittsburgh News |publisher=News.pitt.edu |date=October 9, 2003 |access-date=June 24, 2017}}

File:CenterforBiotechnology&BioengineeringPitt.jpg

Ten individuals have served in the position of the Dean of the School of Engineering over its history.

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• Bioengineering - Sanjeev Shroff{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Joseph |title=Announcing the Appointment of the New Swanson School of Engineering Dean |url=https://www.provost.pitt.edu/news/announcing-appointment-new-swanson-school-engineering-dean |website=Office of the Provost |publisher=University of Pittsburgh |access-date=8 May 2025}}
• Chemical and Petroleum - Steven R. Little{{cite web |title=Steven Little |url=https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/StevenLittle/ |website=Swanson School of Engineering |access-date=10 October 2018}}
• Civil and Environmental - Radisav Vidic{{cite web |title=Radisav Vidic |url=https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/People/Faculty/Profiles/Radisav-Vidic/ |website=Swanson School of Engineering |access-date=10 October 2018}}
• Electrical and Computer - Alan D. George{{cite web |title=Alan George |url=https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/AlanGeorge/ |website=Swason School of Engineering |access-date=10 October 2018}}
• Industrial - Lisa Maillart (interim){{cite web |title=Building for the Future: Lisa Maillart named Interim Chair of Industrial Engineering |url=https://news.engineering.pitt.edu/building-for-the-future-lisa-maillart-named-interim-chair-of-industrial-engineering/ |website=Swanson School of Engineering |access-date=8 August 2022}}
• Mechanical and Materials Science - Brian Gleeson{{cite web |title=Brian Gleeson |url=https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/People/Faculty/Profiles/Brian-Gleeson/ |website=Swanson School of Engineering |access-date=10 October 2018}}

• Academic Affairs - Mary Besterfield-Sacre
• Faculty Excellence - Anne Robertson
• Graduate Education - Robert Parker
• International Initiatives - Minking Chyu{{cite news |last1=Coyne |first1=Justine |title=Pitt's Swanson School names Chyu to lead international initiatives |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2014/08/06/pitts-swanson-school-names-chyu-to-lead.html |access-date=27 April 2021 |publisher=Pittsburgh Business Times |date=6 August 2014}}
• Research - David Vorp
• Strategic Initiatives - Heng Ban

File:Fessenden.JPG helped to pioneer wireless communications while at Pitt]]

• Wanda Austin, PhD (MSCE ′77, MS Math ′77) – retired president and CEO, The Aerospace Corporation{{cite web |title=Dr. Wanda M. Austin Biography |url=https://www.nasa.gov/offices/nac/members/WandaAustin-bio.html |website=NASA |date=June 10, 2015 |access-date=10 October 2018}} and interim president of University of Southern California{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Harriet |title=USC names retired aerospace executive Wanda Austin as acting president, announces Nikias' departure |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-usc-transition-20180807-story.html |access-date=10 October 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2 August 2018}}
• Anna Balazs (faculty) - Distinguished Professor and John A. Swanson Chair of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, member of the National Academy of Sciences
• Donna Blackmond, PhD (BSCHE '80, MSCHE '81) – professor of chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and member of the National Academy of Engineering
• Erik Buell (BSMechE '79) - founder, former chairman and Chief Technical Officer of the Buell Motorcycle Company and founder of Erik Buell Racing
• John Choma (BAS ′63 BSEE ′64, MSEE ′65, PhD ′69) – professor and chair of electrical engineering-Electrophysics at the University of Southern California{{cite web|url=https://viterbi.usc.edu/news/news/2014/a-true-inspiration-professor-john-choma-in-memoriam.htm |title=A True Inspiration, Professor John Choma, In Memoriam |publisher=USC - Viterbi School of Engineering |date=August 22, 2014 |access-date=June 24, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://forestlawn.tributes.com/obituary/show/John-Choma-Jr.-101599683 |title=John Choma, Jr. Obituary - San Dimas, California - Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries - Covina Hills FD 1150 |publisher=Forestlawn.tributes.com |access-date=June 24, 2017}}
• Bob Colwell (BSEE ′77) – electrical engineer who was the chief architect on the Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, and Pentium 4 microprocessors
• William Hunter Dammond (BSCE 1893) - first African-American graduate of the university and inventor of railroad safety systems{{cite web |last1=Barksdale-Hall |first1=Roland |title=William Hunter Dammond: a Man of Firsts (excerpts) |url=https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/william-hunter-dammond-a-man-of-firsts |website=University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=13 August 2021 }}
• Reginald Fessenden (faculty) – inventor and sonar pioneer who developed insulation for electrical wires, built first wireless telephone, and transmitted the first audio radio broadcast
• Joseph A. Hardy III (1948) – Founder and CEO of 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.{{cite web|url=http://www.pittmag.pitt.edu/spring2004/feature3.html|title=Building a Business|publisher=Pitt Magazine|first=Robert|last=Mendelson|date=2016-06-23|access-date=2016-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714004102/http://www.pittmag.pitt.edu/spring2004/feature3.html|archive-date=2013-07-14|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2023/01/07/joe-hardy-dies-100-birthday-84-lumber-nemacolin-woodlands/stories/201604060199|title=Joe Hardy, the 84 Lumber magnate, dies on his 100th birthday|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|location=Pittsburgh, PA|date=January 7, 2023|accessdate=January 7, 2023}}
• Michael Lovell (BSME ′89, MSME ′91, PhD ′94) – president of Marquette University
• Jay Nunamaker, PhD (BSME ′60, MSIE ′66) – Regents and Soldwedel Professor of MIS, Computer Science and Communications, University of Arizona
• John A. Swanson (PhD ′66) – founder of the computer software firm ANSYS, Inc., member of the National Academy of Engineering, and recipient of the John Fritz Medal
• Bryan Salesky (BSCoE '02) - founder and CEO of Argo AI
• Savio L-Y Woo (faculty) - Distinguished University Professor and recipient of the 1998 Olympic gold medal for Sports Science{{cite web |last1=Chan Saw |first1=Serena |title=Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo Is Awarded Gold Medal |url=https://sites.pitt.edu/~msrc/awards/gold.html |website=MSRC Orthopaedic Bioengineering Lab |access-date=13 August 2021}}

• Department of Industrial Engineering's Manufacturing Assistance Center

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{{cite book| first1=George Raymond | last1=Fitterer | first2=Tim | last2=Palucka | title=A history of the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering 1846-2004 | year=2004 | publisher=Cathedral Publishing | location=Pittsburgh, PA | isbn=1-887969-13-6}}

• [http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/ Homepage of the Swanson School of Engineering]
• [http://www.energy.pitt.edu/index.asp Center for Energy]
• [http://engineering.pitt.edu/mcsi/ Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation]

{{University of Pittsburgh}}

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Category:University of Pittsburgh

Category:Engineering universities and colleges in Pennsylvania

Category:Universities and colleges established in 1846

Category:1846 establishments in Pennsylvania