Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
John A. Orr is Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Orr joined WPI in 1977 and served as head of the ECE department from 1988 to 2003. He received the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, and the M.S. degree in EE from Stanford University. He obtained professional experience at Bell Laboratories prior to joining WPI and recently completed a sabbatical year in the Global Positioning System Laboratory at Stanford University.
At WPI Dr. Orr's research interests span several aspects of digital signal processing. Recent work is in the area of positioning systems, particularly precision personnel location. His other professional interest is in the area of engineering education where he has been involved in curriculum development at both the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as in assessment and accreditation activities. He also co-authored a textbook in the area of information engineering.
Dr. Orr is a Fellow of the IEEE, awarded for his contributions to engineering education, and a member of Eta Kappa Nu. He is a member of the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission, past chair of the IEEE Committee on Engineering Accreditation Activities, member of the FIE Steering Committee, past member of the Educational Activities Board of the IEEE, and past president of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads' Association.