Associate Dean Receives State Engineering Achievement Award

Contact: Joanna Norris, Assistant Director
Department of Media Relations and Events
(904) 620-2102



Dr. Jerry Merckel, University of North Florida associate dean for the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction, was awarded the 2006 Florida Engineering Society Outstanding Technical Achievement Award for his accomplishments and contributions in the field of engineering. The award was presented Saturday during the Society’s annual summer conference in West Palm Beach.

"While the FES award highlights Dr. Merckel's superb technical ability and intellectual capacity, his accomplishments are heavily based on the creativity, vision and interpersonal skills that compliment his engineering and scientific knowledge,” said Dr. Neal Coulter, dean of UNF’s College of Computing, Engineering and Construction. “Jerry is a remarkable person who serves UNF and the College exceptionally well.”

After an extensive career at IBM in product development, Merckel joined UNF as an associate dean and professor of electrical engineering. He initiated a research program that resulted in several University patents as well as the formation of a high-tech spinout company called GeoAge, which provides products and services at a national level in the mitigation of natural disasters. As a result, new opportunities have been created for UNF graduates to have cutting-edge jobs in the engineering field.

Merckel received his doctorate in engineering science from the University of Tennessee as well as two master’s degrees in engineering physics and nuclear engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology. He is a member of the Florida Engineering Society and senior member of the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers, serving as vice chair of its technical committee on computer elements and overseeing an annual international computer conference.

Photo available upon request. Contact Joanna Norris, Media Relations and Events, at (904) 620-2102 or e-mail jnorris@unf.edu.


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