USU department head going to Virginia Tech
By Kim Burgess staff writer
The head of Utah State University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department is moving on to a new position at Virginia Tech. Tamal Bose will leave USU in August to head the world’s largest wireless research center, which is part of Virginia Tech. He called the decision to leave “bittersweet.” “I enjoyed my time at Utah State very much and feel that I made a difference,” Bose said. During his seven years in Cache Valley, Bose forged connections in Asia, which attracted foreign students to USU. In addition, he began two new electrical engineering distance programs. The first offers Internet-based electrical engineering courses to Hill Air Force Base. Thirty-three of the base’s employees have enrolled since it began last fall. The second program will begin in August at Weber State University. Weber’s faculty will teach the first two years of the bachelor’s degree program, while USU faculty will teach the final two years. USU will
issue the degrees. While Bose was pleased with these accomplishments, he said he is most proud of the camaraderie he built in his department. “I think I improved moral,” he said. USU Research Vice President Brent Miller also praised Bose’s leadership. “He’s respected in his field and has identified new talent in the field,” Miller said. “We will miss him.” President Stan Albrecht expressed sadness at Bose’s departure. “This is a great loss for USU,” he said. “The dean did everything he could to try to keep Tamal, but it was not something that could be addressed with offers and counteroffers.” Bose explained that the new position will bring him closer to family on the East Coast and is also “an amazing opportunity.” ———E-mail kburgess@hjnews.com