Gurocak named new director

Washington State University Vancouver faculty member Hakan Gurocak has been named director of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, an academic unit of the College of Engineering and Architecture at the university’s Pullman campus, effective Aug. 16. <br><br>“Hakan is perfect for this position. He has taken the lead in proposing the new school of engineering and computer science, getting approval for the new Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and creating the WSU Vancouver Engineering and Science Institute,” said WSU Vancouver Chancellor Hal Dengerink. “Hakan’s hard work, attention to detail and sheer dedication will continue to provide dividends for WSU Vancouver.” <br><br>Gurocak’s previous work at the university included serving as director for the WSU Vancouver Engineering and Science Institute and associate professor of engineering programs. Since 1997, he has brought to WSU Vancouver more than $1 million in industry equipment donations and grants funded by the National Science Foundation and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation. <br><br> “Our vision for developing programs and research activities at the Vancouver campus is to carry on the tradition of excellence upheld by the College of Engineering and Architecture in Pullman, while maximizing responsiveness to local economic development and partnering with local industries to support the regional workforce,” Gurocak said. <br><br>Gurocak’s research includes robotics, automation, intelligent control, haptic interfaces for virtual reality and technology-assisted delivery of laboratory courses at a distance over the Internet. He received the 2001 WSU Vancouver Faculty Research Excellence Award and won the best paper award in the manufacturing division at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference in 2001. Gurocak received a doctorate in mechanical engineering from WSU in Pullman.<br><br>WSU Vancouver offers 15 bachelor’s degrees and eight master’s degrees in 35 fields of study. The campus is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205.