Nicholas J. Salamon, professor of engineering science and mechanics (ESM), has retired from the College of Engineering after 20 years of service. Dr. Salamon received his doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University in 1971. He earned his master's and bachelor's degrees, respectively, from Iowa (Engineering Mechanics, 1969) and Drexel University (Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 1965). Prior to joining Penn State Dr. Salamon was an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin and Associate Professor at West Virginia University. He joined Penn State as Professor of ESM in 1985.

With research interests in computation mechanics, Dr. Salamon provided the leadership to develop a comprehensive core sequence of four courses in computational mechanics from the undergraduate to the graduate level for the Engineering Science and Mechanics programs. He created E SC 261M (Computational Methods in Engineering) as an honors substitute for CMPSC 201. He later evolved the course in a Writing-Across-The-Curriculum course. He also introduced E MCH/ME 461 (Applied Finite Element Analysis), E MCH 563 (Nonlinear Finite Elements) and revitalized E MCH 407 (Computer Methods in Engineering Design) into the first Penn State course to incorporate supercomputing. During the last decade, Professor Salamon has been active in professional service and speficially with regards to Underegraduate Mechanics Education. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); a member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and a member of the Society of Engineering Science (SES). He was the advisor to the Student Society of Engineering Science for over five years.

Professor Salamon plans to catch up on reading and enjoying hikes in central Pennsylvania with his wife.