Bucknell Welcomes New Garman Dean of the College of Engineering Brad Putman

Following a nationwide search, Bucknell University has hired Brad Putman as its new Richard E. Garman Dean of the College of Engineering. Putman, associate dean for undergraduate studies in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences at Clemson University since 2016, will join Bucknell on July 1.

Originally from New York's Southern Tier, Putman also earned his bachelor's (1998), master's (2000) and doctoral (2005) degrees in civil engineering from Clemson. Upon completion of his Ph.D., he joined the faculty in Clemson's Glenn Department of Civil Engineering. Putman was initially named interim associate dean for undergraduate studies for the college in November 2016, and became the permanent associate dean in August 2017. His research is focused on construction materials and pavement engineering.

"Bucknell has an excellent reputation for undergraduate engineering education, and that's something that drew me to this opportunity," Putman says. "I am looking forward to working with and supporting the faculty and staff in the college to build on the already outstanding experiences for Bucknell engineers and computer scientists. We will develop the leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs of the future. I am honored and excited for the opportunity to lead Bucknell's nationally ranked College of Engineering."

Putman is currently a co-principal investigator for a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead the transformation of Clemson's civil engineering curriculum as part of the NSF Revolutionizing Engineering Departments (RED) program. He also led the development of a strategic plan for undergraduate studies in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences; the establishment of a new recruitment scholarship for engineering students; deployment of a college-wide survey to assess engineering student motivation, identity and sense of belonging; and creation of interdisciplinary opportunities for engineering and computing students.

Bucknell President John Bravman says Putman's background in shaping Clemson's undergraduate engineering and computing experience and his commitment to undergraduate education distinguished him as the top choice to lead the University's College of Engineering.

"Brad's passion for building a superior student experience was apparent throughout his interviews," Bravman says. "He has a proven track record of building successful programs at Clemson, and we look forward to welcoming him to Bucknell to enhance the educational experiences for our engineering students."

Putman holds memberships in the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Engineering Education and Chi Epsilon, an American civil engineering honor society.

He succeeds Pat Mather, who departed last August to become dean of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University. Professor Erin Jablonski, chemical engineering, has served as interim dean of the college since Mather's departure.