Academy of Distinguished Alumni

  • Alumni Image #1:
  • Image Caption Title #1: Fremont Bridge - Portland, Oregon
  • Image Caption #1: Erzurumlu is an accomplished technical consultant to industry and government and award-winning researcher in structural fatigue. Erzurumlu was a consultant in the erection phase of the 900-ft long center arch span of this tied-arch bridge. It has an orthotropic upper deck and spans 1256 ft. between it’s piers. This unique erection scheme involved off-site assembly and transportation to the job site by two barges. The 6000-ton center arch was raised vertically 160 ft. into position with 32 hydraulic jacks.
  • Alumni Image #2:
  • Image Caption Title #2: Portland State University Engineering Tower - Portland, Oregon
  • Image Caption #2: Erzurumlu is the Founding Dean of the College of Engineering at Portland State University. In this role, he was instrumental in proposing the initial conceptual design of the tower, tirelessly promoting its construction and assisting with its design and fundraising. The $71M complex provides state-of-the-art facilities for the growing engineering and computer science programs at PSU.
headshot of H. Chik M. Erzurumlu

chik erzurumlu

H. Chik M. Erzurumlu

Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, 1970
M.S., University of Texas at Austin, 1962
Prof. Degree, Technical University of Istanbul, 1957

Chik Erzurumlu is the emeritus dean and professor of civil engineering at Portland State University (PSU). As the founding dean of the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, he has provided a guiding influence in transforming a pre-engineering program at PSU into a comprehensive college of engineering that now enrolls over 2,000 students in B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degree programs. Through his dedication to engineering education, he has made lasting contributions to students.

Erzurumlu's connection to UT Austin began in 1960. After completing a five-year professional degree in civil engineering in his home country of Turkey, he came to UT to pursue graduate work in structural engineering. After receiving his master's degree, he joined Portland State as an engineering instructor. During the next six years, he discovered a love for teaching and decided to work on his Ph.D. back at UT. 

Inspired by his mentors and colleagues at UT Austin, he has adopted a strategy involving teaching excellence, research productivity and service to the institution and the profession during his tenure at PSU. He became interested in academic administration, and after serving as head of the civil-structural engineering department, he was appointed as dean of PSU’s newly established School of Engineering and Applied Science in 1980.

In the areas of scholarly activities and consulting, Erzurumlu has published in numerous journals and given presentations on topics ranging from structural engineering to professional practice. He has also been a frequent invited speaker and panelist at the programs of technical, professional, educational and civic groups.

He has been active in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) serving in leadership positions at the local and national levels. These include the presidency of the ASCE Oregon Section, chairmanships of the ASCE Administrative Committee on Bridges and NSPE Professional Engineers in Education, as well as service on the NSPE Board of Directors and the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.

In recognition of his contributions to engineering education and the engineering profession in Oregon and nationwide, he was granted Fellow status by both ASCE and NSPE. In 1985, the ASCE Oregon Section awarded him the Outstanding Engineer of the Year Award, and the Professional Engineers of Oregon awarded him the Engineer of the Year Award in 1999.

Perhaps the most surprising recognition came in 2004, when, as part of an $8 million gift to the College by Dr. Fariborz Maseeh, he was honored by the establishment of an endowment to name the college dean the H. Chik M. Erzurumlu Dean. In 2007, he was named a Distinguished Engineering Graduate by the Cockrell School of Engineering.