Penn State Intercom......February
27, 2003
Irwin elected a member of
National Academy of Engineering 
Mary Jane Irwin, distinguished professor of computer science and engineering, has been named a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Irwin was cited for her contributions to VLSI architecture and automated design, which have helped shape the field of modern computer architecture.
The NAE is composed of an elite group of senior professionals in academia, business and government who are among the world's most accomplished engineers. The more than 2,000 peer-elected members and foreign associates provide leadership and expertise for numerous projects focused on the relationship between engineering, technology and quality of life.
Election to the NAE is considered the highest professional honor an engineer can attain.
Irwin is the 10th Penn State faculty member to be elected to the NAE. Of the 10, seven are from the College of Engineering.
In addition to her numerous honors and awards, Irwin is among a small number of computer scientists to be honored as a Fellow of both the Association of Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. She also holds leadership positions in a number of national professional societies.
Irwin has been extremely active in the University community, including serving on the Commission for Women, the Women in Engineering Program Advisory Board, and the Information Sciences and Technology School Implementation Committee.
She also served as head of the Department of Computer Science from 1991 to 1993.
Irwin has been a member of the Penn State faculty since 1977. She holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Memphis State University, and a master of science and doctorate from the University of Illinois.