Reginald Mitchiner honored with emeritus status

18 Jun 2010

Reginald Mitchiner, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the "professor emeritus" title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The title of emeritus may be conferred on retired professors and associate professors, administrative officers, librarians, and exceptional staff members who are specially recommended to the board of visitors by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board of visitors receive an emeritus certificate from the university.

A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1972, he made significant contributions to research in the kinematics of hobbed and pinion cut spur and helical gearing, and his research on the design of geared systems has been cited in many textbooks. Mitchiner was consulted by nationwide industries regarding mechanical design issues and his research in the field of high pressure reciprocating air compressors for shipboard service was supported by the U.S. Navy. He served on the mechanical engineering review panel for the Office of Naval Research fellows and on the engineering review panel for the Department of Defense fellows for 20 years. He also received the 1977 North Carolina Award in Science from the North Carolina governor and state legislature.

As a professor, Mitchiner taught over 7,000 students and led the first team of students to execute a design project that resulted in a U.S. patent through the auspices of the Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties. He also mentored over 40 master’s and two doctoral students. After helping to establish the Computer Aided Engineering Design Program, he secured multi-year National Science Foundation funding to continue the program and served as director for many years. He also served on the College of Engineering committee that established the Personal Computer Initiative.

Mitchiner earned his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. He is also a registered professional engineer.

Written by Krystyne Hayes. Hayes, of Front Royal, Va., holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.