Southern Polytechnic State University has named Richard Aynsley as its new dean of technology. He will be responsible for overseeing SPSU's College of Technology and assisting in the development of its programs.

"I'm thrilled to be here at SPSU, with its strong reputation in advancing technology," said Aynsley. "I'm excited at all the opportunities this presents."

Aynsley received a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of New South Wales. Later he received a master's in architectural engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and a Ph.D. in building from the University of New South Wales.

Aynsley held a chair in architecture at Georgia Institute of Technology from 1985-1989, then in 1989 joined The University of Auckland as Head of the Department of Architecture, where he later was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Property and Planning. In 1995, Aynsley joined James Cook University as UNESCO chair in tropical architecture. He has also worked on numerous consulting and research projects, such as serving as the consultant on environmental wind effects on the national library building in Singapore.

"We are delighted to have Richard Aynsley on our campus. His international background and interdisciplinary academic expertise will keep Southern Polytechnic's College of Technology moving forward," said SPSU president Dr. Lisa A. Rossbacher.

Southern Polytechnic State University is a residential university with approximately 4,000 students pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees in many of the nation's fastest-growing fields related to engineering and technology. One mile west of I-75's Exit 263, the university is just 20 minutes northwest of downtown Atlanta, GA.