359. Michael Griffin to fill professor’s position in Alabama

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) has named Michael Griffin, one of the world’s leading aerospace engineers, as an eminent scholar and a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

The announcement was made today by President David Williams.

In 2005, Dr. Griffin was appointed as the 11th NASA Administrator, serving in that role until earlier this year. He was previously Head of the Space Department at the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) of the Johns Hopkins University, and he played a leading role in numerous other space missions through employment at the APL, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Computer Science Corporation.

Prior to joining APL, he served in many executive positions with aerospace-related companies and he has held several academic appointments. Dr. Griffin has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, the Johns Hopkins University, and George Washington University.

“Michael Griffin is recognized worldwide as a leading authority on aerospace engineering and as a visionary for American space flight,” Williams said. “We believe his contributions to this university and the Huntsville community will be of tremendous value. This appointment adds new dimensions to historic areas of strength, making his appointment an investment in the future of UAHuntsville.

“Dr. Griffin’s appointment as a professor and eminent scholar will help raise the visibility of our aerospace engineering program to an even higher level. His achievements, both from a technical standpoint and as an academician, make him a valuable addition to our campus and provide great opportunities for this university. I’m delighted that Mike has decided to come and educate our students and collaborate with our faculty and with the rest of the Huntsville aerospace community.”

Griffin looks forward to his new role at UAHuntsville.

“Everyone I have talked to in Huntsville, beginning with Dave Williams and his senior staff at UAHuntsville, university trustees, and local industry and community leaders, has been incredibly gracious in welcoming Rebecca and me to the Huntsville community,” he said. “For my part, in my new role at the university and in the larger community, I look forward to the opportunity to show how glad we are to be here.

“I intend to remain actively involved in all aspects of U.S. defense and civil space programs,” he added, including such activities as teaching, research and helping develop the next generation of aerospace designers and leaders.

Dr. Griffin will be filling the university’s eminent scholar position in engineering. An endowment for this appointment was established 20 years ago but the position was never occupied. Dollars invested in this endowment have been growing during the past two decades. “The university has carefully conserved the resources in its Eminent Scholar Foundation awaiting the right opportunity to invest that endowment,” Williams said. “This is that right opportunity.”

Dr. Griffin is expected to assume his duties in mid-May.

I really admire Griffin and wish him the best of luck. NASA will be a different place without him, so will be US Space Program. He should be probably awfully tired and disappointed by his conflicts with new NASA administration and will certainly have a time to relax somewhat in Alabama. UAHuntsville is a great place,  I doubt though he will be there for long

Full press release can be found on the UAHuntsville web-site.