James C. Conwell

James C. Conwell, a native of McMurray, Pennsylvania, is president of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, the top ranked undergraduate engineering school in America for 19 years. Conwell earned his bachelor of science and master of science degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee before beginning his professional career with Procter and Gamble. In 1989 he earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt where he taught a number of undergraduate classes. Upon graduation from Vanderbilt, Conwell took a faculty position at Louisiana State University and ultimately, Grove City College. At both of these institutions his research focused on developing assistive devices for the disabled.

Conwell’s next step was as principal in a start-up specializing in the design and build of specialized test facilities, including jet engine test stands, rocket engine test stands, and both high-speed and low-speed wind tunnels. His company was sold to Jacobs Engineering, where Conwell served as senior vice president overseeing design/build projects in the pharmaceutical, petrochemical and mining industries.

Conwell began his tenure at Rose-Hulman on May 1, 2013. His focus there is on growing the name recognition of the school and increasing the opportunities for students from across the world.

Conwell and his wife, Angela, also a mechanical engineer, have two children—Anne, who is finishing her doctorate of nurse practitioner, and James, a third-year medical school student.