John J. Uhran, Jr., professor emeritus and founding member of Notre Dame’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering - College of Engineering
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John J. Uhran, Jr., senior associate dean emeritus and professor emeritus of computer science and engineering and electrical engineering at the University of Notre Dame, died October 2 (Monday). He was 87.  Born and raised in New York City, Uhran earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Manhattan College and a doctorate from Purdue University. He […]

Born and raised in New York City, Uhran earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Manhattan College and a doctorate from Purdue University. He joined Notre Dame’s Department of Electrical Engineering in 1966.

Uhran’s teaching and research focused on communication theory and systems, signal processing and simulation techniques, as well as artificial intelligence, robotics and engineering education.

In 1990, Uhran and long-time colleague and collaborator Gene Henry, now professor emeritus of computer science, helped establish the Department of Computer Science and Engineering within the College of Engineering.

Uhran taught more than 20 different courses, and his teaching was recognized with multiple awards, including the Tau Beta Pi Most Valuable Instructor award and the ASEE Fluke Corporation Award for Outstanding Laboratory Instruction (1998). He became a fellow of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) in 2014.

His passion for engineering education and commitment to students made him uniquely suited for the role of senior associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering, a position he occupied from 1991-2008.

Uhran is survived by his wife, Sue, as well as three children and eight grandchildren. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday (October 9) at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.