Academic Convocation

Primary Mark

About the Speaker: James J. Duderstadt

James J. Duderstadt is President Emeritus and University Professor of Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan. He also serves as Director of the Millennium Project, a research center concerned with the future of higher education.

Dr. Duderstadt received his baccalaureate degree in electrical engineering from Yale University in 1964, and his doctorate in engineering science and physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1967. After a year as an Atomic Energy Commission Fellow at Caltech, he joined the faculty of the University of Michigan in 1968, as Professor of Nuclear Engineering. After 12 years on the faculty, Dr. Duderstadt became Dean of the College of Engineering in 1981 and, then, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1986. He was elected President of the University of Michigan in 1988, and served in this role until July, 1996. He currently holds a university-wide faculty appointment as University Professor of Science and Engineering.

Dr. Duderstadt's teaching and research interests have spanned a wide range of subjects in science, mathematics, and engineering, including work in areas such as nuclear systems, computer simulation, science policy, and higher education.

During his career, Dr. Duderstadt has received numerous national awards for his research, teaching, and service activities, including the E. O. Lawrence Award for excellence in nuclear research, the Arthur Holly Compton Prize for outstanding teaching, and the National Medal of Technology for exemplary service to the nation. He has been elected to numerous honorific societies including the National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Science, Phi Beta Kappa, and Tau Beta Pi.

Dr. Duderstadt has served and/or chaired numerous public and private boards, including the National Science Board, the Exectuive Council of the National Academy of Engineering, the Commission on Science, Engineering and, Public Policy of the National Academy of Sciences, the Big Ten Athletic Conference, the University of Michigan Hospitals, Unisys, and CMS Energy.

Former Speakers