New FAMU-FSU engineering dean sees strength in joint college

J. Murray Gibson, who was named dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Wednesday, was one of 11 finalists for Florida State’s presidency in 2014.

That position eventually went to John Thrasher.

Now, Gibson returns to Tallahassee and to Innovation Park as dean of the joint college where he will have a faculty appointment as a professor of mechanical engineering at FAMU.

His appointment was announced jointly by FAMU Provost Marcella David and FSU Provost Sally McRorie.

The switch in academic and administrative duties occurred last year when it was decided by a joint council of the college that FSU would become the college’s fiscal agent, a role that FAMU held for decades, while FAMU would oversee the academic captain of the university.

“I am excited by the incredible promise of the unique partnership between FAMU and FSU,” said Gibson, “At a time when higher education in America is under threat, our two proud universities with powerful alumni, dedicated staff, devoted faculty, eager students, and distinct missions are coming together to invigorate engineering research and education. No other college in the U.S. is better poised to address the chronic shortage of underrepresented engineers.”

Gibson joins the college on July 1, having been selected ahead of four other finalists, including acting dean and former FSU associate provost Bruce Locke, and Emmanuel Collins, chairman of the college's mechanical engineering department.

Gibson earned his BSc in natural philosophy at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and his PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge, England.

He most recently served as founding dean and professor in the College of Science at Northeastern University. According to the college’s website, Gibson stepped down in June 2015 after five years at the helm.

He was to return to Northeastern this fall to conduct research and teach.

At Northeastern, Gibson, along with faculty and staff, is credited with raising $26 million in philanthropic funds over five years. Gibson also worked with faculty to raise annual research funding by 50 percent. During his tenure, the university moved up 25 points in national rankings, the release said.

Before accepting the founding dean’s position, Gibson was a professor the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Top 10 engineering school, where he trained 15 doctoral students.

Maurice Edington, dean of the FAMU College of Science and Technology and chair of the College of Engineering Dean Search Committee, said Murray’s career history and his passion for education stood out.

“The committee was very impressed with his extensive track record on diversity and his strong commitment to advancing the education of minority engineers,” Edington said.

As a principal investigator, Gibson has secured more than $100 million in research funding.

A five-time patent holder, Gibson boasts extensive leadership experience. He directed a billion-dollar, globally recognized scientific user facility at Argonne National Laboratory, which produced two Nobel prize winners.

Gibson also worked for 11 years at the AT&T Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, N.J. At Bell, Gibson pioneered the use of advanced electron microscopy techniques to understand the structure/property relationships of semiconductor nanostructures.

He also received the AT&T Area Wide Affirmative Action award for his success in the career development of African-American scientists.

Gibson has published more than 200 technical papers that together have received more than 17,000 citations. He is a fellow of several professional societies, including the American Physical Society and the Royal Microscopical Society.

Away from his research and teaching, Gibson enjoys playing the piano and has lectured on the connection between physics and “the Blues,” the Northeastern site says.

“Dr. Gibson is an accomplished scientist with a track record of success in higher education administration and the leadership skills to enhance the College of Engineering in every area, from teaching and research to fundraising and enrollment,” McRorie said.

Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @byrondobson.