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Biography

Michael A. Wartell

Academician and scientist, Michael A. Wartell was appointed chancellor of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) in July 1994. During the previous year, he was vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of chemistry at IPFW.

Chancellor Wartell currently serves on the U.S. Army Science Board from 1981 to 1987 and from 1997 to the present, working on such subjects as chemical warfare, manpower and logistics, and decontamination. He also has served on the Defense Science Board from 1998 to 2005 and as chair of the Defense Intelligence Agency Science and Technology Advisory Board from 1987 to 2005. He was a member of the Board of Visitors of the Defense Systems Management College from 1984 to 1988, and he has been a consultant to government agencies and defense contractors. He is the author or coauthor of five textbooks, laboratory manuals, and study guides as well as numerous scholarly papers.

Between 1989 and 1993, Chancellor Wartell was department manager for Sandia Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His responsibilities included development and management of educational outreach and special technologies programs. He was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, from 1984 to 1989 and dean of the College of Letters and Sciences and professor of chemistry at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from 1979 to 1984.

Chancellor Wartell received a B.S. in chemistry from the University of New Mexico and an M.S. and Ph.D. in physical chemistry in 1968 and 1971, respectively, from Yale University.

He is a member of the board of directors of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, Corporate Council, Leadership Fort Wayne, Junior Achievement, the Urban League, Boy Scouts, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He is also a member of numerous honorary societies and recipient of major research grants and academic awards.

As chancellor, Wartell is responsible for Indiana’s fifth-largest university and the only comprehensive public university in northeast Indiana. IPFW offers more than 190 Indiana University and Purdue University associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the humanities, sciences, engineering, technologies, education, fine and performing arts, business and management, health sciences, and public and environmental affairs.