Kulcinski is Grainger Professor of Engineering Physics and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. For 22 years, he has been director of the Fusion Technology Institute, which has performed more than $43 million in research for federal, state and industrial organizations. He will continue to serve in that post.

He is a 1968 Wisconsin PhD graduate in nuclear engineering and joined the faculty in 1971. Among his many awards are an American Nuclear Society Outstanding Achievement Award in 1980, and a NASA public service medal in 1993. He is the recipient of Fusion Power Associates 1992 Leadership Award and serves as FPA's vice president for research. His appointment begins July 1.

"I'm very pleased that such a respected faculty member has agreed to serve as part of the college's management team," Peercy said. "We'll be fortunate to have the benefit of his knowledge and experience as we continue to implement the college's new strategic plan."