IRVINE : Replacement Named For Ousted Dean

The chairman of electrical and computer engineering at UC Irvine has been named acting dean of the university’s School of Engineering, UCI officials announced Monday.

Professor Allen Stubberud will succeed William Sirignano as dean Sept. 1, UCI spokesman Scott Nelson said.

Chancellor Laurel L. Wilkening ousted Sirignano as dean of the School of Engineering in March on the recommendation of a faculty committee after a review.

Sirignano plans to return to full-time teaching in the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering and continue his research in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, Nelson said.

Stubberud, 60, has extensive experience as a dean of the UCI engineering school, Nelson said; he served as dean from 1978 until 1983.

“It’s a difficult job,” Stubberud said. “You’ve got to interact with a lot of people, administrators, faculty members, industrial people and students. You’ve got several different constituencies you’re trying to please.”

Stubberud said he did not apply for the permanent dean’s slot. He estimated that a search for the next dean would last until next summer.

Originally from Glendive, Mont., Stubberud said he started his career in the University of California system as an instructor at UCLA in 1962.

He joined UCI’s faculty during its infancy, moving to the university in 1969--four years after it opened.

He took a leave from UCI between 1983 and 1985, when he was appointed chief scientist of the U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C. From 1987 to 1988, he served as director of the Electrical, Communications and Systems Engineering Division of the National Science Foundation.

Stubberud, of Irvine, said he received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Idaho and his master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering from UCLA.

He will continue to serve as chairman of the electrical and computer engineering department at UCI during his stint as dean.