Lester to Resign as Dean of College of Engineering

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 29, 2011) — Thomas Lester, dean of the University of Kentucky College of Engineering, has announced his resignation as dean of the college effective June 30, 2012.

Lester, who has served as dean since 1990, is currently the longest serving dean at the university. He has not finalized any future plans at this time.

"The experiences I've had as dean have been the most satisfying of my professional career," said Lester in a memo sent to his faculty and staff. "I've had the good fortune to serve under individuals who understood the importance of engineering to the university and the state, and I happened on the scene as resources were being made available for program and infrastructure development.

Prior to his current appointment, Lester served as professor and chairman of mechanical engineering at Louisiana State University from 1983 to 1990, and as professor of nuclear engineering at Kansas State University from 1975 to 1983.

A native of Indiana, Lester earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1970, and his masters and doctorate in the same discipline from Purdue in 1972 and 1974 respectively. Lester is a UK Fellow and has made personal contributions to establish and endow the Donald L. and Gertrude L. Lester Professorship in Mechanical Engineering.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, (859) 257-1754 ext. 254; Jenny.Wells@uky.edu