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Telecommunications researcher, Richard Wolff picked to inaugurate MSU’s Gilhousen Chair

Richard Wolff, a vice president of research at Telcordia Advanced Network Systems Research Lab in New Jersey, has been appointed to fill the newly endowed Gilhousen Telecommunications Chair housed in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Montana State University. He will begin his duties in January.

Carol Schmidt MSU News

Wolff, a specialist in adapting emerging technologies to commercial use, was selected from a nationwide search. He will bring with him 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry as he inaugurates an MSU chair fully endowed by, and named for, telecommunications pioneer Klein Gilhousen and his wife, Karen.

"I am looking forward to launching a rich, multi-disciplinary program at MSU to explore telecommunications systems and network impacts of emerging technologies, facilitating the educational and research missions of the university," Wolff said.

Wolff said he believes that his experience in the industry, as well as his technical background in sciences that range from the electromagnetic spectrum, radio frequency communications and x-ray astronomy, will excite and inspire students interested in the telecommunications industry.

"My experience will be a key to providing direction and relevance, focusing the program on meaningful problems that will excite and motivate students and prepare them for both personally satisfying and socially valuable careers. The intellectual output will seed a new technology base and economic growth in Montana."

Wolff’s appointment has been made possible by the Gilhousen’s $5 million gift to the MSU College of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2001. In addition to fully funding the endowed chair, the gift is supporting 10 undergraduate scholarships in ECE that have been awarded for this year, according to Jim Peterson, head of the department.

"Wolff will provide an opportunity for students focusing in the latest telecommunications technologies," Peterson said. "He has strong leadership capability necessary to develop a nationally recognized telecommunications teaching and research program at MSU, resulting in new educational opportunities for students while attracting new companies for collaborating with MSU research programs."

During his career at Telcordia, Bellcore and Bell Laboratories, Wolff’s projects included work with Toshiba, Toyota and a consortium of companies and universities. His work has ranged from emerging physical and network layer technologies to wireless systems. He managed a joint research project in South Africa with universities and industry. Wolff said his philosophy is that user demand and utility should shape the direction of technology application.

Contact: Linda Wyckoff (406) 994-2223

http://www.montana.edu/commserv/csnews/nwview.php?article=648

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