Tribute Article for Dr. Jerry Samples
by Dr. Janet Grady, VPAA
Most people have heard the expression “those are big shoes to fill.” In this case, truer words were never spoken. Dr. Jerry Samples, Professor of Engineering and Division Chair of Engineering and Computer Science, has decided to retire from our campus and begin the next exciting chapter of his life at the end of the fall 2022 semester.
I have known Dr. Samples for many years, both as a colleague and as a neighbor, and I am well aware of the significant impact he has had on our campus and our community since his arrival in Johnstown. In 1996, Dr. Samples was hired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Division Chair of Engineering Technology. From 2002 to 2003, he served as Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, and he was appointed the first Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs in 2004, a position he held until 2008 when he returned full-time to Division Chair of Engineering Technology.
Dr. Samples was instrumental in leading the challenging process that culminated in the addition of Chemical Engineering to our existing programs in the Division, as well as the transition of our Engineering Technology Program to Engineering. He subsequently provided the necessary expertise and oversight to earn program accreditation through the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, now known as ABET. The Engineering Division later added the Computer Science Department, and since 2017, Dr. Samples has expertly and successfully led the Division of Engineering and Computer Science.
The career of Dr. Jerry Samples has been an impressive one, beginning with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson College of Technology in Potsdam, NY, and later a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (Thermal Sciences) and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Computational Fluid Dynamics), both from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Samples began his teaching career in the Department of Mechanics at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and progressed through the ranks, ultimately becoming Associate Professor and Director, Mechanical Engineering Division and Mechanical Engineering Research Center in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at West Point. Dr. Samples’ military credentials as an Army Engineer included service as Company Commander at Fort Bragg, NC, and Battalion Commander in Germany. He served in the US Army Corps of Engineers for 26 years, and he achieved the rank of Colonel.
Over the years, Dr. Samples has been recognized by his peers and professional organizations for his many contributions. Notably, many of these recognitions have been for contributions to the pedagogy of Engineering Education. Dr. Samples was elected as a Distinguished Fellow of the International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning (ISETL) for significant contributions in the areas of peer-reviewed publications, service to the institution of higher education, and teaching in higher ed that has led to the improvement of effective teaching strategies. He has also received the National Outstanding Teaching Award at a special awards ceremony of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), in recognition of being the lead instructor at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Essential Teaching Seminars, through which he was invited to share his knowledge and expertise in teaching and learning techniques at 26 educational institutions both in the United States and abroad. In addition, Dr. Samples has been a member of ASEE since 2002, and he was a recipient of the American Society of Mechanical Engineer’s Life Quality Award and Dedicated Service Award. He is a member of a range of professional organizations, including being a board member of the International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning where he served as President from 2014-2016, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the ABET Accreditation Commission, and a member of the ASME Foundation Board.
His CV includes a long list of peer-reviewed technical and pedagogical articles, as well as many scholarly presentations and workshops. Importantly, he has served as an evaluator for the ABET Accreditation Commission from 1999 to the present. It is not surprising, therefore, that Dr. Samples has consistently been recognized by ABET, who write that “his efforts have been integral to the success of the commission.”
In addition to receiving laurels and commendations from his colleagues and professional associates, Dr. Samples has consistently garnered praise from his students. Having had the pleasure of reviewing his many teaching evaluations over the years, I can attest that the plethora of positive comments provided by students consistently corroborated their high quantitative ratings. Students commented repeatedly that Dr. Samples is an engaging and entertaining professor who encourages active learning, and who keeps class interesting through stories and detailed examples relevant to real life. Students expressed appreciation for his ability to make the information understandable and meaningful to them. Many students were not able to articulate areas for improvement, noting that Dr. Samples can “take any course and make an interesting class out of it.” I know that hearing these types of comments from students never gets old for any faculty member, and in fact, is the greatest reward for a dedicated teacher-scholar like Dr. Samples.
On our campus, Dr. Samples has been a constant and valuable presence on committees including the General Education Advisory Committee, Academic Council, the Pitt Johnstown Planning & Budget Committee, the University Appeals Board, and many more. Dr. Samples has always been willing to step in as needed, and he has often been seen in his office during evening and weekend hours to accomplish whatever task needed to be completed. During the vaccine rollout in spring 2021, Dr. Samples even volunteered at 10 shot clinics on our campus, where his contributions were important in assuring logistical success of the initiatives.
Dr. Samples is not only the recipient of recognitions and accolades, but he is also a generous giver of praise for all of those with whom he has worked at Pitt Johnstown. In his letter announcing his retirement, Dr. Samples noted how much he will miss teaching the next generation of Engineering students, and how rewarding his time at Pitt Johnstown has been. He talked about how proud he is of the faculty and staff in the Engineering & Computer Science Division, all of whom work exceptionally hard to produce excellent graduates. He also thanked the Registrar’s office, the Campus Administration, and the entire Campus Community who have “worked diligently to make this a great place to work.” This level of support for others and his recognition of the work of many to achieve a goal is typical of the leadership of Dr. Samples. Over the years, he has mentored scores of faculty members and hundreds of students, most of whom I am certain would be eager to relate just how influential Dr. Samples has been in their lives. It is indeed difficult to sum up the contributions of a professor, administrator, and colleague like Dr. Samples. His no-nonsense, straightforward approach has been his calling card, but that sometimes gruff exterior has never belied his deep commitment to the success of faculty he led and the students he taught, or his loyalty to our campus and community. It is my hope that those who have benefitted from their association and interactions with Dr. Samples will in turn model his successes in their own lives and careers.
Thank you, Dr. Samples, for leaving us with such big shoes to fill. We wish you all the best in everything that is yet to come!