The University of Texas at Dallas has hired a physicist who most recently managed university relations for Texas Instruments Inc. to oversee the development and alumni relations efforts for its Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.
After nine years managing TI’s university relations programs, Rod Wetterskog is the new director of development and alumni relations for the Jonsson School. Wetterskog oversaw TI’s university outreach programs, which included recruitment of students to TI, company support of faculty research, and providing schools with resources, such as lab equipment.
In this role, Wetterskog worked with 50 universities worldwide. At UT Dallas, he helped facilitate the establishment of the Texas Instruments Distinguished Chair and the Texas Analog Center of Excellence, or TxACE.
“It is imperative that our continued growth provides tangible benefits to our alumni, to local industry and to the region as a whole,” said Mark W. Spong, dean of the Jonsson School and holder of the Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair in Electrical Engineering. “I think Rod will play a key part in ensuring our stakeholders actively participate in the school’s drive to become one of the top schools of its kind in the nation.”
Wetterskog’s early career landed him at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y., where he worked for six years as an optical scientist and test and systems engineer. In the early 1990s, he moved to Texas to work as an applied physicist at the Superconducting Super Collider, a U.S. Department of Energy physics project. Following the termination of that project, Wetterskog served for six years as the director of the North Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium where he partnered with high schools, colleges, universities and industry to help better prepare students entering technical careers.
“TI’s university relations program was all about developing partnerships that benefit students, faculty and engineers,” explained Wetterskog. “I learned what motivates companies to invest, and now I look forward to bringing that knowledge to the Jonsson School so we can partner with alumni, companies and investors to become a top research school.”
Wetterskog has a bachelor of science degree in physics from Penn State University and a master of science degree in physics from the University of Oklahoma.
or the Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, newscenter@utdallas.edu
| Rod Wetterskog helped facilitate the establishment of the Texas Instruments Distinguished Chair and the Texas Analog Center of Excellence. |  |