John Owen Papers, 1971-1987

Born in Shropshire, England, Sidney John Thomas (John) Owen played professional soccer before embarking on his life in academia. After graduating with a doctorate in engineering from the University of Nottingham in 1961, Owen remained at his alma mater and taught coursework in physics and engineering there until 1977. Owen first came to Oregon State University as a visiting professor in 1975 and returned two years later to assume a faculty position in the Electrical Engineering Department as the Tektronix Chair in Electrophysics. Owen specialized in the study of solid state electronics and semiconductor development and his work served to forge stronger ties between OSU and the Oregon high-tech industry.

In addition to his instruction and research activity, Owen also held a number of administrative posts at OSU. He served as head of the Electrical Engineering Department from 1978 to 1989 and later as dean of the College of Engineering from 1990 to 1997. Owen also served as vice chancellor of the Oregon Center for Advanced Technology Education (OCATE), an organization established by the Oregon State System of Higher Education to further collaboration between Oregon universities and high-tech businesses.

Owen died unexpectedly in 1997. To honor Owen's legacy to OSU, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building was named Owen Hall in 1999.