Chang-Lin Tien

Chang-Lin Tien
Name	Chang-Lin Tien
Birth date	24 July 1935
Birth place	Wuhan, China
Death date	29 October 2002
Death place	Redwood City, California, United States
Nationality	American
Fields	Mechanical engineering, Heat transfer
Workplaces	University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Irvine
Alma mater	National Taiwan University, University of Louisville, Princeton University
Known for	Chancellor of University of California, Berkeley, Research in thermal radiation and heat transfer
Awards	Max Jakob Memorial Award (1981), ASME Medal (1991), National Academy of Engineering, American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Chang-Lin Tien was a prominent Taiwanese-American mechanical engineer and academic administrator, best known for his pioneering research in heat transfer and for serving as the seventh Chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley. He was the first Asian American to head a major research university in the United States. His tenure at Berkeley was marked by significant efforts to promote diversity, strengthen academic programs, and navigate complex budget challenges during the 1990s recession.

Early life and education

Born in Wuhan, he fled the Chinese Civil War with his family, eventually settling in Taiwan. He completed his undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering at National Taiwan University in 1955. He then immigrated to the United States, earning a master's degree from the University of Louisville in 1957. He pursued his doctorate at Princeton University, where he studied under renowned professor Robert H. Siegel and received his Ph.D. in 1959.

Academic career

He began his academic career as an assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley in 1959, joining the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming a full professor by 1968. In 1974, he served as chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Berkeley. He later held administrative roles at the University of California, Irvine, serving as its Vice Chancellor for academic affairs from 1988 to 1990.

Research and contributions

His research fundamentally advanced the field of heat transfer, particularly in the areas of thermal radiation, thermal insulation, and heat pipes. He made significant contributions to the understanding of radiative heat transfer in participating media, which has applications in aerospace engineering, solar energy, and combustion systems. His work earned him international recognition, including the prestigious Max Jakob Memorial Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

University of California, Berkeley chancellorship

Appointed in 1990, his chancellorship at Berkeley was a historic milestone. He led the campus through a period of severe state budget cuts, launching the "Berkeley Campaign" to bolster private fundraising. He was a staunch advocate for affirmative action and diversity, famously defending the university's admissions policies. His leadership also emphasized strengthening ties with Silicon Valley and the Pacific Rim, and he oversaw the creation of new facilities like the Haas School of Business building.

Awards and honors

He received numerous accolades for his scientific and leadership achievements. These include the ASME Medal, the Heat Transfer Memorial Award, and the Worcester Reed Warner Medal. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and served as a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Chang-Lin Tien Education Center at National Taiwan University and the Tien Center for East Asian Studies at Berkeley are named in his honor.

Personal life and legacy

He was married to Di-Hwa Tien, with whom he had three children. A dedicated mentor, he was known for his approachable nature and commitment to students. Following his chancellorship, he remained active as a professor and advocate for higher education until his death from a brain tumor in 2002. His legacy endures as a trailblazer for Asian Americans in academia, a world-class engineer, and a transformative leader who championed excellence and inclusion at one of the world's premier universities.

Category:American mechanical engineers Category:University of California, Berkeley faculty Category:University of California, Berkeley chancellors Category:American university and college chancellors Category:1935 births Category:2002 deaths