Liang Dong from Iowa State University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) has been named Northrop Grumman Professor. 
The position has a two-year appointment, ending on Aug. 15, 2022.
This professorship serves to support young faculty who exhibit a potential for leadership in electrical or computer engineering research, have a recognized commitment to excellence in teaching and share their talents by collaborating with industry.
Northrop Grumman Corporation, which was formerly entitled Litton Industries, established the Northrop Grumman Professorship in 1992. This was also formerly known as The Litton Industries Professorship, which was created in honor of Fred W. O’Green (BSEE ’43), who served as Litton Industries’ president and chairman in the 1970s and 1980s.
After college, O’Green worked as a civilian at the Naval Ordinance Laboratories. He went to work for Lockheed Corporation in 1956 and then joined Litton Industries in 1962. He was a pioneer in the U.S. space program while at Lockheed, he helped accelerate the program after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I. He also earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland. O’Green passed away in 1998 at age 77.
Litton Industries, now owned by Northup Grumman, was founded by Charles Litton based on an invention he developed in the 1930s to mass-produce glass radio transmitting tubes. The company later specialized in developing navigational electronics, computing equipment, electronic warfare equipment, and communications systems for the military.
The Litton Industries Professorship officially became known as the Northrop Grumman Professorship in July 2011.
“This is a true recognition of his outstanding academic achievements,” said ECpE Professor and Palmer Department Chair Ashfaq Khokhar.