Alfred "Al" McClung, former professor of electrical engineering at Penn State New Kensington and longtime resident of Oakmont, Pa., died May 29 in his hometown of Montgomery, W.V. He was 85.
McClung joined the New Kensington campus faculty in 1964 after a distinguished career at the Westinghouse Corporation. He began his 25-year tenure as assistant professor, earned the title of full professor in 1974, and retired in 1988. McClung was instrumental in developing the Electrical Engineering Technology program and served as the Coordinator for EET programs for the Commonwealth Campuses. His research was focused on optimizing production and inventory levels in manufacturing.
"Professor McClung helped build the current engineering program and was instrumental in furthering the prestige of this program throughout the entire Penn State system," said Kevin Snider, chancellor of the campus. "His legacy lives at Penn State New Kensington and we are all grateful for the contributions he made to our campus."
"He was an innovator who constantly worked to keep engineering technology relevant for industry," said Robert Arbuckle, who served as campus executive officer from 1978-92. "He insisted that every campus have industrially-based advisory boards and sought continuous quality improvement."
Students always were at the forefront for McClung and they in turn valued his teaching expertise. Twice he was honored with the "Excellence in Teaching" award, the campus' most prestigious faculty award. It recognizes a faculty member’s contribution in teaching. The principal criterion is excellent classroom performance, but excellence in other activities such as advising, supervision of learning outside the classroom, and course development are considered. In addition to the campus award, McClung received the inaugural "Excellence in Teaching Award" from the College of Engineering in 1972.
"He was an outstanding teacher and mentor for many students who passed through the doors of the Parnassus Center and the current Upper Burrell campus location," said Arlene Hall, director of academic affairs at the campus and former a colleague of McClung.
"In my 40 years in education, I encountered hundreds of faculty members and evaluated most of them," said Arbuckle, who is president emeritus of Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. "Some were excellent teachers, some fine at research, others were good at both, but none were better than Al McClung in engaging students, helping them reach their full potential, and putting them and their welfare as priority number one."
Upon his retirement, the campus recognized the professor's distinguished service to the campus by dedicating the two electrical laboratories in his honor.
"Today’s students are the beneficiaries of Professor McClung’s lifelong work to advance the electrical engineering curriculum," Hall said.