Wendell Nedderman

Who is Wendell Nedderman?

Wendell Herman Nedderman, Ph.D served over 18 years as President of The University of Texas at Arlington. After 10 years as engineering dean, he served as vice president for academic affairs and simultaneously held such positions as graduate school administrator and vice president for research and graduate affairs. In 1992, he was named president emeritus and received the Mirabeau B. Lamar Award for leadership in learning by the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities.

Nedderman is a native of Lovilia, Iowa and was born in 1921. He graduated from Lovilia High School and earned a B.S. in Civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1943. From there he immediately joined the Navy and was sent to the U.S. Naval Academy’s Reserve Midshipman’s School. During World War II, Dr. Nedderman served as Engineering Officer aboard the Destroyers USS Patterson and USS Charles S. Sperry. By 1946, he had earned the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with six stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, as well as three campaign ribbons fighting in the Marianas, The Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

After his discharge from the Navy, Dr. Nedderman took a position as Instructor of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University and obtained his Master’s Degree in 1949. He obtained his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University in 1951 while on leave from A&M. His twelve-year tenure at A&M culminated as Graduate Advisor of the Department of Civil Engineering and as Professor.