Clemson University Night

On Tuesday 10 March the ASME Greenville Section will host “Clemson University Night” where we will highlight the past, present and future of mechanical engineering at Clemson University. We are pleased to have as our guest speaker Dr. Alexander Leonessa, the D.W. Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Chair in Mechanical Engineering at Clemson.

According to ChatGPT:

“Mechanical engineering at Clemson University originated with the institution's founding, with the first class in 1896 offering degrees in mechanical-electrical engineering. It has grown from early, hands-on industrial training into a comprehensive department, now part of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, known for research in energy, materials, and automotive systems.”

The ASME Greenville Section counts among its membership dozens of Clemson University alumni as well as most of the current Mechanical Engineering faculty. More than half of the ASME Fellows in the Section are Clemson faculty. The Clemson ASME Student Section is the largest student group in the Greenville Section. The largest employers of mechanical engineers in the Greenville Section such as GE Vernova, Michelin, Fluor and Duke Energy each employ many Clemson alumni.

In April of 2025, Clemson University announced the appointment of Alexander Leonessa to serve as Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering effective August 15, 2025. The official press release stated:

“Leonessa brings to Clemson an accomplished career defined by visionary leadership, pioneering research, and an unwavering commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and service. His research expertise spans control theory and robotics; autonomous ground, aerial, surface, and underwater vehicles; rehabilitation robotics, human-robot interaction; and assistive technologies. His experience makes him ideally suited to lead the department as it navigates the evolving challenges and opportunities of the modern engineering landscape.”

The entire press release may be viewed here.

Now in his first year as the Department Chair and the D.W. Reynolds Distinguished Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Leonessa oversees over 35 tenured/tenure-track faculty and full-time and part-time lecturers who teach and perform research on a broad range of topics, as well as 13 administrative and technical staff members.

Please help us welcome Dr, Leonessa to the ASME Greenville Section!

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