UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State College of Engineering community mourns the loss of Dean Emeritus David Wormley, who passed away on May 19 in Lancaster.
Wormley served as the dean of the Penn State College of Engineering for 20 years, beginning in 1992. Under his leadership, Penn State continued to grow as a leader in teaching, research and service.
"Dave Wormley had a quiet, steady way of bringing people together, solving problems and helping others succeed, all while keeping students and their success at the forefront of every decision,” said Renata Engel, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor at Penn State. Engel worked with Wormley in the College of Engineering, both as a professor of engineering design and of engineering mechanics, and also as associate dean. “His leadership helped transform the College of Engineering, but what I remember most is his Midwestern sense of humor, his wisdom and the way he encouraged others to grow as leaders."
Wormley received his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, as well as his master’s degree and doctorate, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He then joined the faculty at MIT, where he eventually served as the head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and then the associate dean. Wormley’s leadership was recognized by the governor of Massachusetts, who appointed him to the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation to help fund startup ventures that aided the state’s economy.
As dean of the College of Engineering at Penn State, Wormley worked with the development office to create a $200 million campaign to support students and faculty, an effort that remains an enduring legacy of his. He continued to mentor graduate students and published more than 100 papers and reports. His mentorship extended to faculty as well, as he supported their own professional goals and visions.
“I very much appreciated the way Dean Wormley mentored me as I stepped into the role of school head, first as interim and then as permanent,” said Sven Bilén, professor of engineering design, electrical engineering and aerospace engineering, and former head of the School of Engineering Design and Innovation (SEDI). “He understood the importance of SEDI to the College and worked with me to begin realizing our vision for it and to increase its impact.”
Wormley’s research focused on dynamic systems and control, applied to transportation systems, fossil fuel power plants and fluid power systems. He served as the president of the American Society of Engineering Education and was honored as a life fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He also chaired a committee on vehicle rollover accidents for the Transportation Research Board and served on the boards of both Helios Technologies and Michael Baker International.
Wormley and his wife, Shirley, shared two daughters, two sons-in-law and two grandchildren. They were avid fans of Penn State sports including wrestling, football, basketball and volleyball. As a tribute to the couple, alumni and friends established the David and Shirley Excellence Fund to support world-class engineers.
An obituary for Wormley can be viewed here.