W. Samuel Easterling, an engineering professor and department head from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has been named the next James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Dean of Engineering at Iowa State University. Easterling, an ISU graduate, begins the new job July 15. “Dr. Easterling is an accomplished educator, scholar and administrator, and has long been a leader in his discipline of structural engineering,” ISU President Wendy Wintersteen said in a statement. Easterling has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from West Virginia University, and a doctorate in structural engineering from ISU. A registered professional engineer who has won many awards for research and service, Easterling joined Virginia Tech in 1987 and is a former president of its faculty senate.