Joseph Evans, a prominent researcher and computer systems designer at the University of Kansas, has been named director of KU’s Information and Telecommunications Technology Center, effective Aug. 18.

Evans, the Deane E. Ackers Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, will succeed Victor Frost, who announced last fall that he would step down as director after 11 years in that position. Evans was acting director of ITTC from 1999 to 2000 and served for three years as KU’s director of research information technology.

The University of Kansas student chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers has been named the 2008 NSBE National Small Chapter of the Year.

The University of Kansas School of Engineering and its Advisory Board will honor three of the school’s alumni for careers that exemplify professional achievement.

On Thursday, May 8, Stanley Englund, Midland, Mich.; Charles Salanski of St. Joseph, Mo.; and Michael Shinn, Shaker Heights, Ohio, will receive the Distinguished Engineering Service Award at the Kansas Memorial Union. The award was created by the KU School of Engineering Advisory Board in 1980 to honor engineering alumni, or engineers who’ve maintained a close association with the school, for their outstanding contributions to the theories and practices of engineering research and development in new fields of engineering, or direction of an organization that has made exceptional contributions in design, production and development.