Civil engineering chair and leading expert to retire from Wayne State

Dr. Joe Hummer with civil engineering faculty and staff

Joseph Hummer, professor and chair of the Wayne State University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is retiring from the university after four years of service, effective May 13.

Hummer joined Wayne State in fall 2012 from North Carolina State University. He is an internationally renowned expert in traffic operations, highway design and highway safety. In addition to authoring nearly 100 journal articles and more than 50 funded research projects, Hummer has worked with federal and local governments on lifesaving transportation measures, and has been featured in media outlets such as the New York Times and Chicago Tribune.

"Joe is a leading expert in civil and transportation engineering and a huge champion of Wayne State University," said Farshad Fotouhi, dean of the College of Engineering. "During his time here, he worked with the civil engineering department to update the curriculum, hire talented new faculty, increase research productivity and get the name of the department out to national and international audiences - we will miss Joe greatly, but sincerely wish him well in this new chapter."

A Detroit area native, Hummer earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. from Purdue University. He will join the State of North Carolina Department of Transportation as an administrator. The move to North Carolina also allows him to be closer to family. "When I joined the civil engineering field, I promised myself that before I retired, I would actually build something; this new role will give me that opportunity," said Hummer.

"Thank you to the students, faculty and staff at Wayne State, in particular my department, for making these past few years some of my best professionally. I am extremely proud of this institution and know that it will continue to flourish."

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