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| By: David Tisdale
A University of Southern Mississippi (USM) faculty member with a stellar record of scholarship, teaching and service to the institution has earned one of its highest honors in support of his internationally recognized research.
Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins, professor in The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Polymer Science and Engineering, is this year’s recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences’ T.W. Bennett Distinguished Professor of Mathematics Education. The two-year professorship recognizes an established scholar and faculty member in the sciences from a Ph.D. granting unit in the college.
The Bennett Professorship is supported through the T.W. Bennett Endowment, established through the USM Foundation by Mr. and Mrs. T.W. Bennett, Sr. in honor of their son and his love for the sciences. He was declared missing in action Dec. 22, 1972, while serving in the United States Air Force.
The endowment provides support to the Bennett Professor’s research activities and sponsorship of the Biennial Bennett Symposium, the latter being a research conference showcasing topics from the Bennett Professor’s discipline, with the Bennett Professor delivering its keynote talk.
“Dr. Wiggins is an exceptional faculty member in every way,” said Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the USM College of Arts and Sciences. “His research program has attracted more than $50 million in external funding and generated more than 200 scientific publications.
“However, those numbers alone don’t describe his dedication to students and their professional development. He has advised more than 40 Ph.D. students and dozens of masters, undergraduate, and high school students. His commitment to mentoring and teaching students, as well as to their professional development, is truly exceptional. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor than Dr. Wiggins.”
Dr. Wiggins earned a B.Sc. in industrial technology in 1988 from Western Washington University. He received his Ph.D. in polymer science from USM in 1992 and earned an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1996.
He joined the USM faculty in 2006 as an assistant professor after working for more than a decade in industrial polymer science and engineering management. He later served as director of the school from 2013-2019. His research interests are in the areas of carbon fiber composite materials, glassy polymer chemistry, and polymer process engineering of composite materials used in aerospace and military applications.
Dr. Wiggins says he’s honored by the distinction and to be among the list of colleagues who previously held the Bennett Professorship.
“Expectations of excellence from all students, colleagues and collaborators in comprehensive professorship duties for teaching, scholarship and service is required from those who carry this recognition,” Dr. Wiggins continued. “I view it as a privilege that is certain to inspire me to a higher level of personal and professional standards.”
Prior to beginning his academic career at USM, Dr. Wiggins spent 12 years at Bayer Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA and Nike Inc., Beaverton, Oregon, where he held multiple executive management positions in the areas of next-generation polymer research, new polymer product and process engineering, and polymer product manufacturing. He has graduated 28 Ph.D. students to date, and currently has a group of 12 graduate students.
Dr. Wiggins served as an adjunct Professor for advanced manufacturing and design engineering at Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia from 2016-2019 and is an Honorary Professor of Materials Science Engineering, Institute for Frontier Material, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Australia.
“Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins’ recognition with the Bennett Distinguished Professorship is a testament to his exceptional contributions to the field polymer science and engineering,” said Dr. Derek Patton, director of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering. “His research in advanced carbon-fiber reinforced polymer composites, and particularly his exploration of the role of the polymer matrix in driving composite material performance, has solidified his reputation as a leading expert in the field. Jeff has employed this expertise to create research and pilot scale polymer matrix and composites manufacturing facilities that are extraordinarily unique within a university environment.
“Beyond his scholarly work, the success and preparedness of his students stands as a shining reflection of his vested interest in mentorship and in their success. With the support of the Bennett Professorship, I’m excited to see how he will push new boundaries and continue to elevate the stature of polymer science and engineering research at the university.”
Dr. Wiggins says his foundational research philosophy relies upon the simple core belief “If I take care of my students, everything else will take care of itself.”
“What this [belief] means to me is that my primary responsibility as a research-active faculty member is to prepare the most competent graduating professionals capable to make significant polymer science and engineering contributions for society throughout their careers,” he explained. “This necessitates a comprehensive professional preparation through excellence in teaching, research, service, written and oral communication, personal and professional ethics, a positive USM experience, and a global vision to prepare graduates for meaningful professional opportunities and pathways that exceed their expectations.”
One of his students, Ian Beall, a senior polymer science major from Hattiesburg, has benefited from that philosophy in the classroom and research lab.
“Dr. Wiggins teaches the importance of understanding the key aspects of how a product is made and emphasizes the importance of safety in the production process,” Beall said. “He also shows his students new products not yet released to give us a glimpse into the future of a polymer engineering career.
“He’s an amazing professor and mentor who I have the greatest respect for, and is most deserving of this recognition.”
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