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Dr. Richard J. Gowen is the President of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. As an engineer, he has brought his experiences in industry, government, and education to guide the development of new approaches to enhancing the educational experience for all students. He is an advocate for the use of web technologies to provide fair and equal access to empower students to learn the fullness of their individual potential. Dr. Gowen has provided leadership for the improvement of teaching and learning in schools and universities through the use of information technologies. He has guided the development of the High Priority Connection Network to deliver internet individualized services for education and e-business. Dedicated to creating quality educational experiences for all students, he has supported the enhancement of mathematics and other core disciplines to prepare students for a lifetime of success. Dr. Gowen served as a commissioned member of the faculty of the United States Air Force Academy from 1962 to 1977. In addition to his academic responsibilities, he developed and directed a joint Air Force Academy-NASA Space Medical Instrumentation Laboratory and served as a member of the Astronaut Medical Launch and Recovery Program to conduct experiments and provide support for NASA's Apollo and Skylab programs. Dr. Gowen joined the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1977 as the Vice-President for Academic Affairs. From 1984 to 1987 he served as the President of Dakota State University and provided leadership for the development of the university's new mission to provide computer information systems degrees in business and education. In 1987, he returned to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology as its fifteenth President. Dr. Gowen serves as Commissioner of the nation's Web-Based Education Commission to provide recommendations to the President and Congress for the continual development of the web to enhance all levels of education. In 1984, Dr. Gowen served as the Centennial President of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the world's largest technical society. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Engineering Societies in 1988. From 1995-97, he served as President of the Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education. He was the 1998-2000 President of Eta Kappa Nu, the Electrical Engineering Honor Society. He was founding director of the ETA Supercomputer Company. He serves on civic, educational and business boards of directors. He has received awards for his leadership to the engineering profession, for the enhancement of education, and service to the community. Dr. Gowen received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Rutgers University in 1957. He completed his graduate studies at Iowa State University, receiving his Master's degree in 1961 and his PH.D. degree in 1962.
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