Lincoln (Neb.) - Nov. 13, 2001 - David Keck, most recently a senior manager at Paris-based Engineering Systems International, has been named executive director of the J.D. Edwards Honors Program in Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
When Keck begins at UNL Nov. 26, he will be the first permanent director of the J.D. Edwards Honors Program, an innovative honors education program that prepares graduates to use computing foundations, information technology and business principles to meet the challenges of industry. The program is in its third academic year.
Keck's salary will be paid through a gift from UNL alumni Carole and C. Edward McVaney. The McVaneys provided a gift of $32 million through the University of Nebraska Foundation in 1998 to establish the J.D. Edwards Honors Program, named for McVaney's Denver-based computer software business. The gift provides scholarships and program support, and funded the Esther L. Kauffman Academic Residential Center, the building that houses the J.D. Edwards Program.
"I am delighted that we have attracted David Keck to lead this signature program on our campus," said Richard Edwards, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. "He brings just the right brand of computer and business backgrounds, mixed with great enthusiasm and focus. We searched a long time, but it was worth it."
Keck emerged during a 17-month search. He will succeed Gordon Karels, who served as interim director during 2001, and prior to that, Steven Dunbar, who was founding director of the program. Karels will return to the College of Business Administration as associate dean and Nebraska Bankers Association college professor of banking and finance.
Keck is cofounder of Tokyo-based Asia Technology Consulting Inc. and held senior management positions at Tokyo-based industrial giant NKK Corp., Hewlett Packard/Convex Computer Corp., and Alliant Computer Systems. He began his career as a research faculty member at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
"An in-depth knowledge of information and computing technologies has become necessary for today's business leaders, and at the same time it is equally necessary that IT professionals acquire a strong knowledge of business and leadership principles," Keck said. "I am very pleased to have been appointed as the director of this unique and high-profile educational program that addresses these important goals."
Keck earned his doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees in engineering at Georgia Tech. He later earned a master of business administration at Southern Methodist University and a master of applied finance at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. He has participated in executive management programs presented by Harvard and Stanford universities, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Ed Paquette, executive director of the Nebraska alumni association, served as chair of the search committee.
"The search committee had the opportunity to meet some outstanding
candidates, but David best met the very high standards we set for the
position - excellent academic credentials, superb business experience,
worldwide contacts in information technology and business, and an
appreciation and respect for the academic community," Paquette said.
"David will be a great addition to the university and the Nebraska
community as well."
For questions regarding these releases, contact:
tsimons1@unl.edu
(402) 472-8514, Fax: (402) 472-7825