Irwin reflects on tenure as Russ College dean, Moss Professor

 

On July 14, Dennis Irwin will pass the torch on what he describes as the honor of his life, retiring as dean of Ohio University’s Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ College of Engineering and Technology.

In stepping down from this treasured position he has held since 2002, Irwin is also leaving his role as the college’s Cruse W. Moss Professor of Engineering Education.

The late Cruse Moss, BSISE ’48, HON ’85, dedicated his time, talent and resources to supporting his alma mater’s growth and excellence. His generosity extended far beyond the Russ College, leaving a legacy that has impacted everything from OHIO Athletics and the Marching 110, to the Cutler Scholars Program, and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.

In 1991, Moss established the Cruse W. Moss Professorship of Engineering Education, an endowed professorship bestowed upon the standing dean of the Russ College.

Dennis Irwin joined Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology as a faculty member in 1987 and was named dean of the college in 2002.

“Cruse Moss was an extremely loyal advocate for the college, and (this professorship) really says to the sitting dean: ‘This is important for alumni; what you do is important. We are watching, and we are supportive,’” Irwin, OHIO’s second Moss Professor of Engineering Education, said. “That’s the way I viewed it. I hold that title with pride and a sense of responsibility as well.”

Over the course of his 30-plus years at the Russ College, Irwin developed a longstanding friendship with Moss, and has many fond memories, both professional and personal, of their interactions.

Irwin noted that Moss, a venture capitalist who invested in technology companies, was always mindful of his alma mater in his professional dealings.

“When he found a company that intersected with something we did here in the college, he would make sure that I brought a group of our people to wherever it was that these companies were,” Irwin said. “He was so proud, not to show us what they were doing, but to show them what we were doing.”

Moss and Irwin also spent quality time together outside the workplace. Irwin recalled the compassion Moss exhibited toward those he could help, noting an occasion when a young mother approached Moss outside a Columbus restaurant to ask for money for food for her family. Moss eventually obliged but not before engaging in a conversation with her.

“He had a very gruff exterior,” Irwin said of his longtime supporter. “You had to get to know him really well to realize that deep down inside was someone who really cared about everyone he came into contact with.”

As Irwin prepares to turn the role of dean and title of Moss Professor over to Dr. Mei Wei, who joins the OHIO community on July 15, he is looking forward to his next chapter with the Russ College: teaching electrical engineering courses one semester each year.

“(Serving as dean and the Moss Professor has) been the honor of my life,” Irwin said. “I’ve spent more than half my career doing this, and I’d like to thank everyone who has made that possible.”