With the departure of Dean David B. Ashley, who has accepted the position of executive vice chancellor at the University of California, Ohio State has chosen professor James Williams as the new dean of the College of Engineering.

The process of selecting a new dean for a college at OSU can take as long as 19 months, but with an overabundance of important issues and academic plans on the table, the College of Engineering couldn’t afford that much time.

Although the decision was a hasty one, Williams made it clear that he did not want to be considered an interim dean for the college.

“When they offered me the position, I said that I would only take it if I could hold it long enough to be of help,” Williams said.

Williams, who inked a three-year contract effective July 1, 2001, has served OSU for 18 months as a Honda professor in the college. He said thinks that Honda is a key contributor to the College of Engineering.

“Anyone who has a Honda tattoo, we won’t mention on what body part, is made considerably more marketable,” Williams said.

Williams wants to make an example of Honda.

“We want to give engineers at Honda the opportunity to further their education without coming to campus three days a week,” Williams said.

“The board of directors and I were thrilled to hear that Jim (Williams) is going to be the new dean,” said Tom Harris, Senior Manager of Company Communications at Honda. “Jim is very capable and understands the needs of companies across America.”

Williams comes to his new position equipped with a doctorate from the University of Washington and experience at Boeing and GE Aircraft Engines. He also served as dean of the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon for six years.

Williams plans on taking the College of Engineering into more of a strategically focused direction. He said the business aspect of the college is just as important as the engineering aspect.

When asked what he would like OSU students to know about his leadership style, Williams simply said that teaching is essential. He also stressed the importance of student evaluations.

“Students don’t really understand the significance of the faculty course evaluations,” Williams said. “We do review them in great detail and take what they say very seriously.”