The University of Georgia College of Engineering has named Sidney Thompson the founding chair of its School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering.
Thompson, the U.H. Davenport Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, has been a member of the UGA faculty for 37 years.
Thompson’s primary research field is the study of the properties and storage of particulate solids, and he has more than 85 refereed publications to his credit. He has primarily taught courses in structural engineering and engineering design fundamentals at UGA. Thompson has been recognized throughout his career with numerous teaching awards.
“Dr. Thompson has a deep commitment to the instructional, research and service missions of the University of Georgia,” said Donald Leo, dean of the UGA College of Engineering. “I have every confidence that he will work closely with our faculty, staff and students to grow and enhance programs in the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering in his new role as founding chair.”
Thompson earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Kansas State University and Purdue University, respectively. He earned a doctor of philosophy degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Kentucky.
In response to the rapid growth of its educational and research programs, the UGA College of Engineering established a new organizational structure in 2017 built around three schools: the School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering; the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering; and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The new structure is designed to enhance the college’s interdisciplinary teaching, research and service activities while advancing the development of its undergraduate and graduate degree programs.