Three faculty members have been named Distinguished University Professors in recognition of their exemplary teaching, research, scholarship and professional service.
The newest Distinguished University Professors, who were approved and recognized by the UT Board of Trustees at its February meeting, are Dr. Abdollah Afjeh of the College of Engineering, Dr. Paul Chongkun Hong of the College of Business and Innovation, and Dr. Joseph Slater of the College of Law.
UT Board of Trustees Chair Steven M. Cavanaugh, left, and UT President Sharon L. Gaber posed for a photo with the new Distinguished University Professors, from left, Dr. Paul Hong, Dr. Abdollah Afjeh and Dr. Joseph Slater. The three faculty members received the honor in recognition of their exemplary teaching, research, scholarship and professional service.
Afjeh, chair and professor of mechanical, industrial and manufacturing engineering, joined UT in 1984. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and an internationally recognized researcher in propulsion and energy conversion systems.
Afjeh’s focus is on the development and validation of computational models that are used to predict behavior of aerospace propulsion systems under flight conditions. His work supports the design and development of aircraft engines and small gas turbine engines. He also has been working on comprehensive aeromechanics analysis of utility-scale wind turbines.
“I am profoundly honored by this recognition,” Afjeh said. “I am deeply grateful to my colleagues and students who inspired me and fueled my passion for learning. This honor is also a recognition of the great work of my talented students who knew no boundaries and believed in impossible things.”
Afjeh has received 49 research awards for more than $22 million and has authored 115 peer-reviewed publications. He received UT’s Outstanding Researcher Award in 2014.
Hong, professor of information operations and technology management, joined UT in 1999. He is an internationally recognized researcher in network capabilities,
global supply chain management, international comparative studies, and building growth engine industries for national
competitiveness.
Hong’s expertise is in the implementation of supply chain management practices to build firms for domestic advantage and global competitiveness. Much of his work has been in the service sector, notably, U.S. health-care industries as well.
“This recognition is about the value of teaching, research and outreach of business faculty for the world at large,” Hong said. “I accept this honor along with my colleagues here at The University of Toledo and around the world who have worked with me over the years.”
Hong, who was selected as Fulbright Scholar in 2017, has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and three books. He received UT’s Outstanding Researcher Award in 2015.
Slater, the Eugene N. Balk Professor of Law and Values, joined UT in 1999. He is the nation’s leading expert in public-sector labor law respected in academia, as well as by practicing attorneys, the courts, and national and international media.
Slater’s work has influenced two separate fields of study — labor history and modern labor law. He is an expert witness on the history of labor law.
“This means a lot to me. I know The University of Toledo employs many outstanding faculty, excellent scholars and excellent teachers. I am deeply honored to join the ranks of law school colleagues past and present, as well as the amazingly impressive Distinguished University Professors from other colleges,” Slater said. “Also, I am pleased because this award reflects the importance of the field of labor and employment law, and the study of unions, workers and employers, in this community and beyond.”
Slater, who is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyer, has published four extensively cited books and 29 peer-reviewed articles and essays. He received UT’s Outstanding Researcher Award in 2016.
