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Board Title

Ex-officio board member

From

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SD Mines)

Date Appointed

Appointed by

Gov. Dennis Daugaard

 

photo of Jim Rankin

Dr. Jim Rankin returned to his alma mater as the 19th president of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on January 8, 2018. Originally from Draper and Fort Pierre, Dr. Rankin graduated from SD Mines in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from Iowa State University.

Prior to returning to Mines, Dr. Rankin’s leadership as vice-provost for research and economic development at the University of Arkansas generated more than 50 start-up companies and significantly increased annual external funding to $103 million. He led efforts to develop the institution’s first strategic plan in research and economic development, instituted several faculty recognition programs, and developed an expedited industry contracting process.

Dr. Rankin also previously served as interim vice president for research, associate dean, professor of electrical engineering, and director of the Avionics Engineering Center at Ohio University; a professor at St. Cloud State University; and an engineer at Rockwell-Collins.

Dr. Rankin has conducted avionics research and design from both academic and industrial perspectives. His current research interest is in integrating flying cars into that air traffic management system. His personal research has been funded by numerous NASA and FAA grants.

Dr. Rankin and his wife, Dr. Wendy Rankin, have 3 adult children and two grandchildren.

 

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