O. Hayden Griffin honored with emeritus status
O. Hayden Griffin, professor of engineering education 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 1985, Griffin has provided effective leadership as head of the Department of Engineering Education, as director of the Division of Engineering Fundamentals, and as the college’s associate dean for academic affairs. Griffin led the transformation of the Division of Engineering Fundamentals to become a nationally recognized Department of Engineering Education by expanding and diversifying the faculty, by creating a positive departmental environment, and by establishing one of the nation’s first doctoral programs in engineering education.
Griffin also led the conception, design, realization, and operation of the Joseph F. Ware, Jr. Advanced Engineering Laboratory, which is a signature laboratory within the College of Engineering and an inspiration for the engineering curricula’s description as “hands-on, minds-on” education.
His strong commitment to excellence as an educator was recognized by his peers with numerous awards including the Certificate of Teaching Excellence, the Diggs Teaching Scholar Award, the Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence, and induction into the university’s Academy of Teaching Excellence.
Griffin is currently a professor and chair of the engineering department at East Carolina University (ECU). ECU has a new, just accredited Bachelor of Science degree program in engineering.
Griffin received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Texas Tech University and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech.
