Professor Susan Babcock retiring after 33 years at UW-Madison

Materials Science and Engineering Professor Susan E. Babcock retired at the end of the Spring 2023 semester, after a 33-year career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It would be an understatement to say that she will be greatly missed by students, staff and faculty. Sue had contributed decades to her research, various committees and as a leader within MS&E and the College of Engineering.

At UW-Madison, Sue’s research was centered around the application of microscopy techniques to understand the atomic structure and microstructure of electronic materials. Her collaborative research spirit and service roles contributed to the creation and longevity of the UW-Madison Materials Research Science and Engineering Center.

Sue served in several UW-Madison shared governance roles including, but not limited to the Physical Sciences Research Committee (1997-1999), the Physical Sciences Divisional Committee (2002-2005, and chair from 2004-05), the University Committee (2009-2012 and 2022-23) and the Graduate Faculty Executive Committee (2015-2017). 

When her faculty career started at UW-Madison in 1990, she was the first woman faculty member to be hired by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. In 2004 she became not only the first woman chair in the MS&E department but also in the College of Engineering. She served in this role for eight years and then again from 2018-2020. “I hope my service as department chair will help impact other women who have or will run for their department chair positions,” says Sue.

Sue also provided many years of invaluable guidance and mentorship to numerous students in the field of engineering. She had taught almost every MS&E undergraduate student in MSE 351 since 1990 – with a one-year exception. This course was a requirement for all Materials Science and Engineering undergrad students, which allowed her to bestow her passion for Materials Science and Engineering onto her students.

Sue will be remembered for her leadership and her devotion to students in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. “My 33 years here at UW-Madison have been fun,” she says, “and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a member of MS&E.”.