Mercer Associate Dean Leonard Named an ABET Fellow

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MACON – Mercer University’s Dr. Michael S. Leonard, senior associate dean of the School of Engineering and professor of industrial engineering, was recently recognized as one of four new ABET Fellows. ABET recognizes a few fellows each year for sustained quality service to the ABET-related professions and to education within the ABET disciplines, particularly through ABET activities. Dr. Leonard was inducted at the 2011 ABET Annual Awards Banquet in Baltimore, Md. ABET is the international organization that accredits applied science, computing, engineering and technology programs in the United States and abroad, including the computer science and engineering bachelor’s programs at Mercer.
 
Dr. Leonard’s seven years at Mercer include a year of service as interim dean of the School of Engineering. He has previously been the chair for both the Department of Industrial Engineering at Clemson University and the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Leonard has been author or co-author of nine accreditation-related conference proceedings and journal articles, leader or co-leader of eight ABET faculty workshops and 13 ABET program evaluator training sessions. He has also participated in on-campus program reviews and faculty training sessions at 17 academic institutions.

Dr. Leonard is currently the adjunct training director for ABET and has previously served as the industrial engineering program evaluator since 1988, the institute of industrial engineers liaison to ABET, a member of the engineering accreditation commission and as a representative member of the board of directors.

A fellow of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, Dr. Leonard has served as the president of the Society for Health Systems, vice president for student development, member of the board of trustees and director of accreditation affairs. In 2009, he received the Institute of Industrial Engineers’ Fred C. Crane Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Leonard earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering with high honors, a Master of Industrial Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Florida.

About ABET:
ABET, the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology, is a federation of 31 professional and technical societies representing these fields. Among the most respected accreditation organizations in the U.S., ABET has provided leadership and quality assurance in higher education for more than 75 years. ABET currently accredits more than 3,100 programs at more than 600 colleges and universities worldwide. More than 2,000 dedicated volunteers participate annually in ABET activities. ABET also provides leadership internationally through workshops, consultancies, memoranda of understanding, and mutual recognition agreements, such as the Washington Accord. ABET is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

About Mercer University:
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,300 students in 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies – on major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah and at three regional academic centers across the state. Mercer is affiliated with two teaching hospitals — Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah and the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and has educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. The University operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.
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