In Memoriam for Engineering Educator Lyle Feisel

Lyle FaiselInfluential engineering educator and dedicated IEEE volunteer, died November 5 at age 90.

Feisel was a professor electrical engineering and founding dean Watson School of Engineering V State University of New York, Binghamton. He established its organizational structure, academic programs and culture. He also hired most of the teachers.

For more than six decades, Life Fellow has helped define IEEE's long-term approach to education and professional development. He has held key leadership positions in IEEE Educational Activities, IEEE History Committee, IEEE Life Members CommitteeAnd IEEE Foundation.

“Lyle Faisel's passion, compassion and thoughtfulness were an inspiration to all who knew him,” says Karen GalucciExecutive Director of the IEEE Foundation. “I am honored to know him. The IEEE community is fortunate to have such a dedicated and caring leader.”

Early career highlights

Feisel served in the United States. Naval From 1954 to 1958 he worked as a radio operator, which awakened his interest in electronics and communications. After completing his active duty service, he received bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Iowa State Universityin Ames.

In 1964 he joined South Dakota School of Mining and Technology, in Rapid City as a researcher and professor of electrical engineering. He taught there for 20 years.

Feisel's research focused on thin film materials, including tin oxide films. He was involved in early solar cell research at a time when photovoltaics were still a niche experimental area. He supervised numerous undergraduate and graduate students and wrote an undergraduate curriculum that emphasized design projects and laboratory work.

By the late 1970s, Faisel was appointed head of the EE department, where he helped update the curriculum, recruit faculty, and expand research programs.

Creating an institution from scratch

Faisel left South Dakota Mines in 1983 and attended SUNY Binghamton (now Binghamton University). That same year, he founded the Watson School of Engineering (now Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences). He served as dean until his retirement in 2001.

IN 2023 interview Of his career at the university newspaper, Feisel recalled that the school was “constantly growing and changing.”

“New programs were added every year,” he said. “If you look at the number of degrees in 1983 and the number of degrees in 2001, there is no comparison at all.”

Feisel recognized the importance of interdisciplinary programs in energy efficiency, mechanical engineering, computer science and industrial engineering in creating new courses. He emphasized the importance of hands-on laboratory work and partnerships with industry to better prepare students for their careers.

“Dean Feisel came to the right place at the right time and put together all the elements necessary to create excellent academic programs and attract faculty who excel in their fields,” Michael McGoff wrote to tribute published on the SUNY-Binghamton website. McGoff served as assistant dean and associate dean for Faisel for 17 years.

“Without his vision,” McGoff said, “there would be no Watson College today.”

Extensive IEEE Leadership

Faisel has dedicated decades of leadership and service to IEEE, particularly in positions that shaped education policy, historic preservation, and member engagement.

He was a long-time member IEEE Education Societywho served as its president in 1978–1979.

Being Vice President IEEE Educational Activities From 2000 to 2003, he played a central role in shaping programs to support engineering educators, students and practitioners around the world. He helped lead IEEE's strategic plans for accreditation. continuing educationand expanding digital learning resources.

“Lyle Faisel’s passion, compassion and thoughtfulness were an inspiration to all who knew him.” —Karen Gallucci

“IEEE is incredibly fortunate to have volunteers like Lyle who passionately work toward our organization’s mission,” says Jamie MoeschIEEE Managing Director Educational activities.

Feisel also participated in ABETthe organization responsible for accrediting engineering programs. In the late 1980s, he served on the Commission on Engineering Accreditation, ABET's primary body responsible for establishing accreditation criteria and overseeing assessment processes. IEEE is a founding member of the organization.

Education was not Faisel's only passion. In 2006 he served as chairman IEEE Life Members Committeewhich supports individuals over 65 who have been members long enough that their age and number of years of membership equals or exceeds 100.

He was a member IEEE Foundation Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2012–2013. History of IEEE committee. As chairman, Feisel proposed the creation of a multimedia history program for young people, which turned into IEEE REACH Program. He offers pre-university history teachers have free access to educational resources so that students can study engineering and technology and how it impacts society.

“Lyle is an example of the long-term, involved and active volunteer who makes IEEE what it is,” says Michael Geselowitzsenior director IEEE History Center.

A Legacy of Generosity

Feisel was recognized as “Forever generous“a donor to the IEEE Foundation for his continued support of scholarships, student programs, and educational initiatives. He and his wife Dorothy are members IEEE Goldsmith Legacy Leaguewhich recognizes IEEE members who have included the IEEE Foundation in their legacy plans.

“The most important function of the IEEE Foundation—or any philanthropic organization—is that it allows you to help achieve a goal that you could never achieve on your own,” Feisel said in a recent report. interview with the Foundation. “On our own, we could never send a girl to high school in Guatemala, teach a lesson in New Jersey about history of technologylight a light bulb in Haitior take your child for a ride on a replica sailboat.

“By giving to the IEEE Foundation and other charities,” he said, “we can help with all of this.”