Background
Thigpen, Lewis was born on August 29, 1938 in Quincy, Florida, United States. Son of Alonzo and Emma (Ray) Thigpen.
Thigpen, Lewis was born on August 29, 1938 in Quincy, Florida, United States. Son of Alonzo and Emma (Ray) Thigpen.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Howard University, 1964. Master of Science, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1967. Doctor of Philosophy, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1970.
Technical staff member Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, 1969-1973. Assistant professor Lowell (Massachusetts) Technological Institute, 1973—1975. From physicist to group leader Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Livermore, California, 1975-1988.
Chairman mechanical engineering Howard University, Washington, 1988—2004. Advisory committee mechanics National Science Foundation, Washington, 1990-1991. Program evaluator Massachusetts Higher Education Coordinator Council, Boston, 1991.
Member advisory board National Science Foundation REU in Automotive Technologies, Virginia Polytechnic Institute University, and Technology University Darmstardt, since 2007. Advisory committee United States Naval Academy, since 2007.
Assistant leader Boy Scouts American, Chicago, 1967-1969. Served in the United States Army, 1955-1958, Germany. Fellow American Society of Mechanical Engineers (region III committee chair 1996-1998, accreditation board engineering and technical evaluator 1991-1998, vice-chair national department heads committee 1999-2000, chair national department heads committee 2000-2001, member committee on accreditation since 2002, chair 2005-2007).
Member American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Society Engineering Education (fellowship review panel 1990-1994), Mathematics Throughout the Curriculum (advisory board 1996—2001), New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi.