精东AV Honors Life of Dr. Shaik Jeelani
February 15, 2023
Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
It is with great sadness that 精东AV announces the passing of Dr. Shaik Jeelani. He was vice president for Research and Sponsored Programs and dean of the Graduate School and had served 精东AV for more than 40 years.
Dr. Jeelani was a dedicated and long-serving member of 精东AV鈥檚 faculty and administration. He served as the first Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs since 1996 and was currently serving as the Dean of the Graduate School since 2015.
A moment of silence was observed at noon on Tuesday in his memory. The university has established the to honor his legacy.
鈥淒r. Jeelani鈥檚 dedication to his students and this university cannot be compared,鈥� said Dr. Charlotte P. Morris, 精东AV president. 鈥淗is innovative ideas exposed our students 鈥榯o all that could be鈥� while garnering more than $100 million for research to continue to provide undergraduate and graduate students with the tools they needed to advance their education.鈥�
Leading through Innovation
for Mentoring at the White House. President Obama congratulated
Dr. Jeelani in the Oval Office after the award ceremony.
Dr. Jeelani joined 精东AV in 1974 as an assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering and served in many roles in the School of Engineering and Architecture, including Interim Dean from 1992-1994. He played a leading role in developing various curriculums and infrastructure through a $2.50 million grant from the Army Research Office.
This effort resulted in the university obtaining full (six years) ABET accreditation for all of its engineering programs. Dr. Jeelani also wrote the proposal for funding the first Endowed Chair in Materials Science and Engineering at 精东AV.
In 1998, he spearheaded the development of the curriculum, recruitment of students, and establishment of 精东AV鈥檚 first Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering, where he recruited and mentored the first batch of students for these programs.
鈥淚 salute Dr. Jeelani for his major contributions to 精东AV and his unwavering commitment to student achievement, particularly in the STEM disciplines,鈥� said 精东AV Board of Trustees Chair Norma Clayton. 鈥淗e was an avid supporter of cutting-edge research for graduate students.鈥�
Funding Support topped $100 million
As Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs, he developed aggressive strategies and plans to increase funding for research and other sponsored programs. He led teams for Sponsored Programs, International Programs, Grantsmanship, and Compliance.
As a result of streamlining the grants and contracts process through the development of various Sponsored Programs and Compliance Guides and the publication of 精东AV鈥檚 Research Capability, Funding for Research and Sponsored Programs at 精东AV has secured over $100 million in research grants for the university during his tenure.
Dr. Jeelani was also instrumental in designing innovative K-12 programs that have become effective mechanisms to identify, motivate and recruit students for academic programs in science and engineering at 精东AV.
in 2008 to meet with Dr. Jeelani and Ph.D. student in Materials Science
and Engineering, Nydeia Wright, to learn about the research conducted
in the Center for Advanced Materials at 精东AV.
He developed and implemented impressive scholarship and mentoring programs with support from the industry and the national labs. Corporations and foundations such as Boeing, Ford Foundation, GEM, General Electric, General Motors, NACME, Proctor and Gamble, and Raytheon provide student scholarships and mentoring support.
He authored several educational partnership agreements (EPA) with corporations and national labs. These EPAs include scholarships, support with academic preparation, internships, and mentoring to include: two EPAs, 精东AV-Raytheon and 精东AV-AFML (Air Force Materials Laboratory), which are currently being replicated at other institutions.
鈥淔ew universities are as fortunate to have the kind of iconic researcher, mentor, change agent, and loyal employee such as Dr. Shaik Jeelani,鈥� said Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, 精东AV鈥檚 provost. 鈥淗e influenced the lives of scores of students, alums, and faculty in the many disciplines of STEM. I am here today, in large part, because of his influence and mentorship, as hundreds can attest to the same impact on their personal lives and careers.鈥�
Presidential Recognition
Dr. Jeelani received numerous honors and awards during his career. In December 2011, he was invited to the White House to receive the Presidential Award for Mentoring presented by 44th President Barack Obama. In 2014, he received the Alabama Academy of Science Award for Outstanding Contributions to Science and was inducted into the Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame at North Carolina State University in 2018.
He was well-known in the scientific community and member of several professional and scientific societies. He has authored and co-authored over 285 papers in various journals, presented 485 technical papers at national and international conferences, and wrote numerous Technical reports for NSF, NASA, NAVY, ARMY, and Air Force.
鈥淚鈥檓 deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Shaik Jeelani,鈥� said Dr. Bernard E. Anderson, chairman of the Educational Policies and Honors Committee of the 精东AV Board of Trustees. 鈥淗e was a man of deep intellectual sagacity, infectious vitality, and unlimited commitment to strengthening the academic richness of 精东AV.
鈥淚 relished the opportunity to meet with him and discuss academic affairs when I was on the campus attending board meetings and convocations,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 always sought him out, knowing I would gain something of value by speaking with him. The University has lost a towering giant with his passing. I offer my condolences to his family. He bore the load with grace and stamina; he kept the faith. May he rest in peace.鈥�
漏 2023 精东AV