Swanson School of Engineering Announces Gerald D. Holder Endowed Distinguished Lecture Series

A new lecture series at the Swanson School of Engineering honors the legacy of one of the University of Pittsburgh’s most notable leaders.

A gift from Diane P. and Gerald (Jerry) D. Holder established a new annual lecture series at the Swanson School this month. Gerald Holder, Dean Emeritus of the Swanson School, served as U. S. Steel Dean of Engineering from 1996 to 2018. Jerry was an extraordinary pioneer, mentor, and leader at the Swanson School who led substantial growth in enrollment, student diversity, student engagement, and faculty research.

“I am so proud of Jerry's tireless commitment to educating the next generation to go above and beyond and bring new skills and knowledge forward to solve the world's hardest problems,” Diane Holder said. 

The lecture series annually rotates between the school’s six departments each fall. Beginning with the Department of Bioengineering, James J. Collins, PhD, the Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering & Science and Professor of Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), presented the inaugural lecture, “AI for Good – Deep Learning for Antibiotic Discovery,” on September 12. 

“We are honored to select Jim Collins, a groundbreaking pioneer of synthetic biology, as the inaugural speaker.” said Sanjeev Shroff, chair of the department of bioengineering. “This new lecture series will allow us to bring in the very best in various fields of engineering. On behalf of my fellow department chairs, we cannot thank Diane and Jerry enough for this endowed lecture series that will enable us to welcome some of the most remarkable engineering researchers to Pitt each fall.”

Jerry Holder hopes that the lecture, which is intended to facilitate excellence in engineering education and research through exposure to distinguished faculty across the engineering disciplines, will broaden the horizons of Swanson School students. 

“When students have the opportunity to interact with leading scientists, it inspires innovation.” Holder said. “I hope this lecture series will provide an opportunity for dialogue from distinguished thought leaders in engineering science with Swanson School students, faculty, and the University at large.”

IN HONOR OF GERALD D. HOLDER, PhD

For two decades as U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering at the Swanson School of Engineering, Gerald D. Holder led its growth as one of the top 25 public engineering programs. 

Dean Emeritus Holder earned his bachelor's in chemistry from Kalamazoo College, and his bachelor's, master's and PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan. His research focus area is the phase behavior of natural gasses & petroleum with emphasis on natural gas hydrates. He joined the chemical engineering faculty at Columbia University in New York City in 1976 and served in that capacity until 1979, when he came to the University of Pittsburgh. He served as Chair of Chemical Engineering from 1987-95 and became Dean of Engineering in 1996. In these leadership roles, Holder fostered the development of programs in bioengineering, polymers, environment and energy, manufacturing, and materials. 

At Pitt, he has received awards for his research and teaching, including the School of Engineering Award for Outstanding Research and the Board of Visitors Faculty Award. His regional and national accomplishments include the William Metcalf Award for Lifetime Achievement in Engineering from the Engineering Society of Western Pennsylvania; Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Oak Ridge Associated Universities; and a General Motors Scholar. 

To mark his 20th anniversary as Dean of the Swanson School, former Provost Patricia Beeson appointed him as a Distinguished Service Professor, a title that recognizes distinctive contributions and outstanding service (e.g., professional, regional. national, international) to the University community in support of its multifaceted teaching/research/service mission, as well as performance excellence and national stature in his discipline.