June 3, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 92 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E692-E693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RETIREMENT RECOGNITION FOR ROBERT A. ALTENKIRCH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MO BROOKS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 3, 2019

  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. 
Robert A. Altenkirch of Huntsville, Alabama upon his retirement as 
President of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). I join Dr. 
Altenkirch's family, friends, and the UAH community in congratulating 
him on his exemplary career in academia.
  As so many of his students and colleagues can attest, Dr. Altenkirch 
has had an extraordinary career full of accomplishments. Dr. Altenkirch 
earned a B.S. from Purdue University, an M.S. from the University of 
California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from Purdue, all in mechanical 
engineering.
  Dr. Altenkirch served as a faculty member and department chair for 
the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kentucky 
from 1975 to 1988. He was then appointed Dean of the College of 
Engineering at Mississippi State University and served in that position 
from 1988 to 1995. From 1995 to 1998, Dr. Altenkirch served as Dean of 
the College of Engineering and Architecture at Washington State 
University. From 1998 to 2002, Dr. Altenkirch served as Vice President 
for research at Mississippi State University. After that, he served as 
President of New Jersey Institute of Technology for nine years. In 
2009, he was recognized as one of the hundred and one most influential 
people in the state of New Jersey.
  Dr. Altenkirch was named UAH President on September 2011. Dr. 
Altenkirch was chosen

[[Page E693]]

for his world-class experience in aerospace research and his reputation 
as a student-focused president. During his tenure, Dr. Altenkirch 
initiated the formation of UAH's Department of Space Science in 2013, 
the Honors College in 2014, and the College of Education in 2014. He 
also expanded the campus, built new dorms, and brought new sports 
programs to the school such as Lacrosse in 2016. Dr. Altenkirch's 
passion for learning, his love for his students, and his desire for 
excellence have left a lasting impact on UAH.
  In closing, I would like to thank Dr. Altenkirch for his many years 
of service at UAH. And, I sincerely wish Dr. Altenkirch continued good 
health and contentment in his retirement.

                          ____________________