The Ohio State Board of Trustees will approve the appointment of William A. “Bud” Baeslack III as dean of the College of Engineering on Friday.

He will replace James Williams, who served as dean for three years, starting his five-year tenure on July 1. Williams will continue to research and teach at OSU.

This will not be a completely new addition to the engineering college as Baeslack was once a professor at OSU. Facility members are excited that he is able to come back and serve in this capacity, said Amy Murray, OSU spokeswoman.

In 1999, Baeslack was a professor and dean of the School of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N. Y. Prior to that he was an OSU faculty member since 1982.

“When we (faculty) realized he was going to be the next dean, we were all very excited and thrilled about the news,” said Gina Langen, spokeswoman for the College of Engineering.

Baesleck served as interim vice president for research and president of the OSU Research Foundation from 1998-1999. He also served as associate dean of research and college development in the College of Engineering.

Baeslack served as chair of OSU department of welding from 1991-1994.

He has also done research and engineering for the United States Air Force.

He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree from OSU, and he has also earned his doctorate in materials engineering from RPI.

Baeslack is an expert known internationally for materials science and engineering aspects of joining materials according to a statement.

He has extensive involvement within professional societies, including the American Welding Society, ASM International and the Welding Institute.

Baeslack is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society for Engineering Education.

“A search committee, chosen by the Office of Academic Affairs, conducted a national search for the position and Baeslack was selected,” Langen said.

“It is both a pleasure and a privilege to be returning home to Ohio State as dean of the College of Engineering,” Baeslack said in a statement. “I very much look forward to this opportunity to work with the college’s faculty and community in advancing the excellence and reputation of the college, and its impact on the state of Ohio.”