The following statement was issued by James Rush, Vice-President, Academic and Provost at the University of Waterloo:
I am writing to announce that Pearl Sullivan, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, will step down from her role on December 31, 2019 to focus her energy on major initiatives for the University and the Faculty.
Professor Sullivan has served as dean since July 2012. She came to Waterloo in 2004 as a professor of mechanical engineering and served as chair of the mechanical and mechatronics engineering department from 2006 until January 2012. She was the first woman appointed Dean of Engineering at Waterloo, and just the fourth woman in Canada to head an engineering faculty.
Rick Culham, left, has been appointed to replace Pearl Sullivan on an interim basis after she steps down as dean of Waterloo Engineering at the end of the year.
Professor Sullivan has been a dynamic force for Waterloo Engineering and for the entire University. Under her leadership, the Faculty of Engineering has reimagined engineering education and research with revolutionary spaces and transformative programs that will ensure Waterloo remains a leader in engineering well into the future.
We are all extremely grateful for the energy she brings to the role and we will miss her enthusiasm, passion and knowledge at the senior leadership table. Personally, I wish to express that it has been my distinct pleasure to work with Professor Sullivan in numerous ways over several years.
Interim dean appointment
After consulting with the President and with the Engineering senior leadership team, I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Professor J. Richard (Rick) Culham as interim dean of engineering for the period of January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 or until such time as we appoint a new dean through the search process already underway.
Professor Culham is an extremely well-respected member of the engineering faculty for his knowledge, style and collaborative approaches to working. He is well positioned to continue the important work of the faculty having previously served as acting dean and is currently associate dean, administration.
Professor Culham – a University of Waterloo alumnus – is a founding member of the Microelectronics Heat Transfer Laboratory, a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a member of the American Society for Engineering Education and a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario.
In recognition of outstanding teaching and commitment to the enrichment of Waterloo Engineering education, the Faculty awarded Professor Culham a Teaching Excellence Award in 2009. In 2010 the University appointed him as a University Research Chair in recognition of exceptional achievement and pre-eminence in the field of heat transfer.