MACON — A service to celebrate the life of Dr. Guerry C. Backer, associate dean of the School of Engineering and associate professor of Mechanical Engineering, will be held at 4 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2006, in the Fickling Hall of the McCorkle Music Building. Faculty, students, alumni and friends will join members of Dr. Backer’s family to remember his contributions and the legacy he leaves the Mercer family.
Dr. Backer died on Dec. 21, 2005, following several months of illness with pancreatic cancer. He had been a faculty member at Mercer University’s School of Engineering since 1988, as well as an active contributor to the University community.
Backer came to the university from the private sector, where he had worked as a structural and design engineer and a structural design consultant. A graduate of Georgia Tech, he earned his bachelor of aerospace engineering degree in 1965, M.S. degree in 1968 and Ph.D. in 1972.
Backer joined Mercer as an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering, and in 1999, he was appointed associate dean of the School of Engineering. In recent years, he taught undergraduate courses in engineering design, engineering problem solving, statics, dynamics, vibration and flight structures. Backer also taught graduate courses in engineering analysis and aircraft structures.
In addition to his teaching and administrative duties, he was involved in a number of activities on campus, including the Mercer Athletic Council, Mercer Athletic Advising Council, Mercer Calendar Committee and the Mercer Curriculum Committee.
