Dr. Richard E. Dippery, Jr., professor of Mechanical Engineering
Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in Mechanical Engineering, with expertise in design and failure of mechanical components, gearing, and boundary element methods.
Dippery views Kettering students as interested, personable and diverse. It is their "interest in how things work and their interest in enhancing practical knowledge in the real world," that sets Kettering students apart from others their age. He was initially drawn to teaching at Kettering because academics are the main concern ahead of research. Dippery enjoys the closeness with students.
Several years ago, a student asked Dippery if he could be excused from class to visit his ailing grandmother. Dippery told him it was okay. About a year later the same student visited the office of a colleague who was not there and Dippery offered to help. The student again asked if he could be excused from class to visit an ailing grandmother. When Dippery asked him if this was the same ailing grandmother from the previous year, the students chin dropped almost to the floor and he left. He never did approach Dippery's colleague about missing class.
His advice to prospective students is that "if you want a professor 'who cares' and you want an education to prepare you for the 'real world,' this is it."
Hidden talents and outside interests: When not teaching or researching Dippery spends time in such diverse activities as reading and railroading.
Boundary element methods
Design
Failure analysis
Fatigue
Finite element stress analysis
Mechanical design
Optimization, in design
Pressure vessel
Stress analysis
