The college thanks Mark Dean for his fantastic energy and service during his tenure as interim dean, a position he has held since August 2018. His last day as interim dean is officially July 14.
A 1979 alumnus of the college, Dean is a trailblazing computer pioneer who built a career of distinction with an impact well beyond academia. His breakthroughs and patents led to the creation of IBM’s first personal computer, color graphics, and the ISA bus that allowed multiple devices to connect to a computer.
Dean continued his record of innovation upon returning to UT in 2013, helping foster new collaborations with ORNL, working on the team that developed the “smart” robot NeoN, and helping students tackle the changing frontier in computing before joining the administration as Interim Dean in 2018.
His leadership inspired faculty and students, and even led the Knox County Mayor to declare Mark Dean Day.
Thank you, Professor Dean, for your service and inspiration to the college and university.