Duquesne Names Wei to Head Engineering

In April, Duquesne announced it was creating a new School of Science and Engineering to help meet the nation’s growing demand for engineers. The school, which already includes a biomedical engineering program, builds on the University’s strengths in physics and engineering-related disciplines. In August, the University received a major gift to name the Costello Family Endowed Chair in Engineering, which helped to recruit the leader for its new engineering programs. 

Wei, who was the founding director and professor of Slippery Rock University’s School of Engineering since fall 2017, will begin his new position at Duquesne in January. With more than 25 years of teaching experience, he was also instrumental as a founding member and program director of the civil engineering program at the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute. Previously, Wei taught civil and environmental engineering at West Virginia University. He was named 2021 Professor of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers Pittsburgh.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Wei lead our new engineering programs,” Gormley said. “Duquesne is well positioned to educate the next generation of engineers, given its strengths in physics, math and the sciences. Since announcing our plans, we have already seen increased support for these programs, including a recent gift to endow an engineering chair and positive responses from prospective students.”

The school already offers first-year engineering curriculum, which allows students to start with general engineering coursework while they decide on an engineering concentration. In addition to biomedical engineering, the University plans to offer degrees in mechanical engineering, systems engineering, environmental/energy engineering and engineering physics in fall 2024. Those programs are currently being finalized. 

“As a nationally ranked research institution, Duquesne provides its science and engineering students with valuable opportunities they may not find at other, larger programs,” said Duquesne Provost Dr. David Dausey. “Our hands-on learning programs and class sizes offer easier access to faculty and resources, providing significant support to help students reach their goals.”

The University’s science reputation has grown in recent years. The School of Science and Engineering has received significant research support from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, among other organizations, to explore issues ranging from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to water quality and environmental issues.

“We look forward to working with Dr. Wei as we launch an exciting array of new engineering programs,” said Ellen Gawalt, Dean of the School of Science and Engineering. “His experience and expertise will be invaluable as we launch and further enhance our engineering courses in the future.”

“I am excited to join Duquesne, a world-renowned institution with a Catholic tradition, to build premier engineering programs in the region,” Wei said. “Through high quality teaching and student research programs, we will ensure that students will be workforce ready and have the skills needed to enjoy successful careers.”

Wei earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mineral processing engineering from Northeastern University in Shenyang, China. He earned a master’s degree in mining engineering and a doctoral degree in civil engineering from West Virginia University.

Wei will hold the Costello Chair, the result of a significant gift from Matthew Costello, a 1995 graduate of Duquesne’s McAnulty College of Liberal Arts, and his wife, Liselott. Costello is a global leader who has served in various executive roles across three continents and is now a vice president of hardware engineering at Apple who helped spearhead the development of Beats Electronics and Beats Music with legendary west coast rapper Dr. Dre and music industry mogul Jimmy Iovine. When Beats was later acquired by Apple, Costello helped lead the integration of the two companies.

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

It's time for bigger goals. Follow Duquesne University on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn.
www.duq.edu