Hongwei Zhang was awarded the Willard and Leitha Richardson Professorship in Electrical and Computer Engineering, starting at the beginning of 2024.
Zhang is a leader in the research of wireless networks. He is the director of Iowa State’s Center for Wireless, Communities and Innovation (WiCI) as well as the principal investigator for ARA, a first-of-its-kind wireless living lab to connect rural communities and industries.
“It is my great honor to be named to the Willard and Leitha Richardson Professorship!” Zhang says. “This also recognizes the excellent work and dedication of the many faculty, staff and students of the ARA project team and WiCI.”
The Richardson Professorship was the first faculty professorship in electrical and computer engineering at Iowa State, established in 2002 by Willard Richardson (BSEE ’34) and his wife, Leitha.
“Willard Richardson made important contributions to rural electrification in the 1930s and 40s,” Zhang says. “The team at WiCI and I will try our best to contribute to the mission of bringing the latest and greatest broadband solutions to rural America and across the globe.”