The University of Texas at Dallas has named Richard Benson, dean of Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering, the sole finalist in its search for a university president. After a state-mandated 21-day waiting period, the official appointment can be made.

Benson has served as Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering dean since 2005, leading during a period of increased ranking and number of applicants. Before his move to Virginia, he headed the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University beginning in 1995. In previous years, Benson served as chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Rochester and earlier was the associate dean for graduate studies in Rochester’s College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Benson holds a BSE in mechanical and aerospace engineering received from Princeton University in 1973. His master’s degree in mechanical engineering is from the University of Virginia, and doctorate in the same major from the University of California, Berkeley.