KU Engineering announces new department chair


LAWRENCE — Caroline Bennett, professor of civil, environmental & architectural engineering, has been named chair of the University of Kansas Department of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering. She will assume her duties July 1.

Caroline Bennett

“Since joining KU in 2006, Professor Bennett has demonstrated outstanding leadership in key areas. This includes leading KU Engineering’s teaching innovation efforts to implement new educational strategies throughout the School of Engineering,” said Dean of Engineering Arvin Agah. “I look forward to working with her to elevate the stature of the School of Engineering and am excited by what the future holds.”

Agah also praised Dave Darwin for his service and leadership as department chair for the past 10 years. Darwin will return to a research and teaching role at the School of Engineering.

More about Caroline Bennett:

Bennett earned her bachelor’s degree in civil & environment engineering and doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Cincinnati. She joined the KU Department of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering in 2006.

At KU, Bennett’s disciplinary research has been focused on improving the performance of civil infrastructure, affecting a wide array of structure types. Bennett has been honored with the American Institute of Steel Construction’s (AISC) Inaugural Early Career Award and the American Iron and Steel Institute’s (AISI) Robert Dexter Memorial Lecture, and has secured more than $15 million in research contracts. Bennett was honored for excellent teaching and contributions to KU’s teaching mission with KU Engineering’s John & Winifred Sharp Professorship in 2018.

Fri, 01/27/2023

author

Cody Howard

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Cody Howard

School of Engineering

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