Electrical and computer engineering department names new Paul B. Jacob Endowed Chair

Mehmet Kurum has been named the Paul B. Jacob Endowed Chair for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the Mississippi State University Bagley College of Engineering.

The Paul B. Jacob Endowed Chair honors Mississippi State alum Paul B. Jacob who received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1944. Jacob became a faculty member in the electrical engineering department in 1946, and during his time at Mississippi State, developed a high voltage engineering program. The Paul B. Jacob Endowed Chair honors and recognizes the contributions Jacob made to the engineering field.

Kurum, an associate professor, said he was honored by the opportunity to hold the Paul B. Jacob Endowed Chair.

“It is truly an honor to have Paul B. Jacob’s name as part of my title. He is someone that served the university for so long. I'm humbled by this appointment,” Kurum said.

Kurum, who is currently working on satellite and drone technology in relation to microwave remote sensing of environment, plans to use this distinction as an opportunity to expand his research. His research grants come from organizations like NASA, NSF, USDA, and DoD.

“The position will give me flexibility in disseminating our research, going to the workshop conferences and hiring undergraduate students as well,” Kurum said. “The chair is a prestigious appointment that you can get at an academic level. It's really a testament to appreciation of my research here at Mississippi State University. It definitely helps to boost my enthusiasm of what I'm doing here.”

To learn more about the Paul B. Jacob Endowed Chair as well as the other professorships and chairs that the Bagley College of Engineering holds, please visit https://www.bagley.msstate.edu/people/faculty-staff/endowed.