Leonardo Electronic Directory

Thomas E. Linehan

Leonardo Editorial Board member

Thomas E. Linehan, Ph.D.
Professor, Aesthetic Studies
Director, Institute for Interactive Arts and Engineering
School of Arts and Humanities
University of Texas at Dallas
P.O. Box 830688 - JO 31
Richardson, TX 75083-0688
U.S.A.
Email: thomas.linehan@utdallas.edu

Dr. Thomas E. Linehan is joining the University of Texas at Dallas faculty as a professor of Aesthetic Studies in the School of Arts and Humanities. He will also direct the newly-formed Institute for Arts and Technology beginning in January of 2002. The Institute is jointly created by the Schools of Arts and Humanities and Engineering and Computer Science. Dr. Linehan was selected after an international search due to his experience in developing premiere degree programs in media arts technology. (Ohio State University"s Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design, Texas A & M University"s Visualization Laboratory and The Ringling School of Art and Design"s Computer Animation Program.) Each of these programs provides an advanced computing environment in support of an industry-relevant education. Hundred"s of Linehan"s graduates from these programs are working today in the gaming, special effects and entertainment industry. Dr. Linehan has served as a consultant in the development of similar programs in The Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand and Canada.

Dr. Linehan has a background in both corporate management and educational administration. He has served as a college president, a corporate vice president, an associate dean, a research laboratory director, a professor and a public school teacher.

Dr. Linehan created Ohio State University's Research Partners Program where university faculty, graduate students and corporations form on-going research partnerships to study digital communications technologies. He firmly believes that education must become a true collaboration between industry leaders and educators.

After consulting (since 1983) on the development of a premiere Computer Animation program, in 1996 Dr Linehan was appointed and served as the president of The Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. The College flourished under Dr. Linehan"s leadership. Its reputation as a place for artists and designers to study technology is unmatched at undergraduate level today.

He has matched his academic administrative experience with corporate management. Dr. Linehan served as executive vice president of CRSS Architects, a worldwide design firm. While at CRSS he managed a number of major corporate units and implemented CRSS' early entrance into advanced computer-based design and computer visualization.

Education: Ph. D., Art Education (Specialization in Computer Graphics/Animation) Ohio State University; M.A., Art Education (Educational Technology), Ohio State University; 1966 B.A., Fine Art, Webster University.

Updated 13 October 2004