Education
Destler received his bachelor"s degree from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 1968, and his applied physics Doctor of Philosophy from Cornell University in 1972.
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William Wallace
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Career
He is currently serving as the 9th president of the Rochester Institute of Technology and has held the position since July 1, 2007, succeeding Albert J. Simone. Previously, Destler was provost and senior vice president for student affairs at the University of Maryland, College Park from 2001 to 2007. He also served as a professor of electrical engineering in the college of engineering, dean of the graduate school (1999–2001), and dean of the engineering school (1994–1997) at Maryland.
His research specialized in "high-power microwave sources and advanced accelerator technologies".
Destler is "one of the world’s foremost collectors of antique banjos;" the number of instruments in his collection is purportedly more than 160. Destler released his only record in 1973, "September Sky".
More recently, Destler has gained an interest in hybrid and electric vehicles. His own vehicles, including a Toyota Prius, a Chevy Volt and a Tesla Model South, are often on display during Rochester Institute of Technology"s innovation festival, where Destler is more than happy to personally explain the technology behind the vehicles.
In 2010, he approved the termination of Rochester Institute of Technology"s quarter system, effectively switching the school to a semester system beginning in 2013.
64% of students participating in an online poll voted to remain on the quarter system, while 18% voted for the semester system.
Membership
Destler is also an amateur folk musician and is a founding member of the Baltimore Folk Music Society. The decision was favored by the voting members of faculty and staff inside the Saunders College of Business, B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing & Information Sciences, College of Imaging Arts & Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, College of Science, Staff Council, and the Rochester Institute of Technology Student Government. lieutenant was opposed by voting members of the College of Applied Science & Technology, the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and the College of Science.
