Faculty
Our professors have a broad range of experience and backgrounds. Their primary motivation is to be in the classroom with their students or in a lab working on real-world projects. Faculty members are ready to be friends and mentors and to build relationships that students will value for a lifetime.
Delvin Peterson
Dean, Professor of Engineering
(509) 527-2079 / delvin.peterson@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 266
Education: Ph.D., Oregon State University, 2012; M.S.M.E., Oregon State University, 2004; B.S.E., Walla Walla University, 2001.
Professional Associations: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
Areas of interest: Peterson likes teaching engineering, engineering mechanics, engineering economy, and writing for engineers and instrumentation. He enjoys music, RVing, and board games.
Bryce Cole
Associate Dean, Professor of Engineering
(509) 527-2295 / bryce.cole@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 272
Education: Ph.D., Notre Dame, 1996; M.S.C.E., University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1989; B.S.E./B.A., Walla Walla University, 1987.
Professional Associations: National Ground Water Association (NGWA), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Geophysical Union (AGU), International Association of Hydrologic Science (IAHS), and American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE).
Areas of interest: Cole teaches hydrology, soil mechanics, transportation, and finite elements. He enjoys learning foreign languages, traveling, hiking, and skiing.
Rob Frohne
Professor of Engineering
(509) 527-2075 | rob.frohne@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 261
Education: Ph.D., Purdue University, 1988; M.S.E.E., Purdue University, 1985; B.S.E., Walla Walla University, 1983.
Areas of Interests: Frohne teaches circuit analysis, signals and systems, electronics, instrumentation, electromagnetic propagation, and radiation and communication systems. He enjoys amateur radio in his free time.
Natalie Smith-Gray
Professor of Engineering
(509) 527-2082 | natalie.smith-gray@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 260
Education: Ph.D., Washington State University, 2022; B.S.E., Walla Walla University, 2018.
Areas of Interest: Smith-Gray teaches circuit analysis, fundamentals of programming, and data science. She enjoys hiking and backpacking, learning new languages, flying small aircraft, and traveling.
Qin Ma
Professor of Engineering
(509) 527-2537 | qin.ma@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 267
Education: Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University, 2004; M.S., Florida International University, 1999; M.S., Chongqing University, 1994; B.S., Chongqing University, 1987.
Professional Associations: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Ceramic Society (ACerS), and the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS).
Areas of Interest: Ma teaches finite element methods, engineering mechanics, engineering materials, and materials and processes in manufacturing. He enjoys ping-pong, swimming, music, and outdoor activities.
Janice McKenzie
Professor of Engineering
(509) 527-2424 | janice.mckenzie@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 257
Education: Ph.D., Purdue University, 2006; B.S., Montana State University, 2001.
Areas of Interest: McKenzie teaches biomaterials, tissue engineering, and bioreactors. She enjoys Bible studies, prison ministry, gardening, skiing, biking, running, and enjoying animals and nature.
Melodie Williams
Professor of Engineering
(509) 527-2747 | melodie.williams@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 263
Education: EdE, University of North Dakota, 2024; M.S.C.E., Washington State University, 1994; B.S.E., Walla Walla University, 1986.
Professional Associations: American Society of Engineering Educators (ASEE), and Engineers Without Borders (EWB).
Areas of Interest: Williams teaches hydrology, the transport and treatment of water and wastewater, environmental stewardship and engineering, engineering business concepts, including contracts and specifications as well as engineering in a global context, and introduction to engineering and systems design. She is one of the sponsors of the Engineers Without Borders chapter. She enjoys learning new things, crochet, and painting pottery.
Ralph Stirling
Contract instructor
(509) 527-2071 | ralph.stirling@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 262
Education: M.S.E.E., Purdue University, 1985; B.S.E., Walla Walla University, 1981.
Professional Associations: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
Areas of Interest: Sterling teaches manufacturing, communication systems, instrumentation, digital design, and choosing and developing senior project ideas. He enjoys Ham radio and woodworking in his free time.
Doug Thomsen
Professor of Engineering
(509) 527-2251 | doug.thomsen@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 268
Education: Ph.D., Purdue University, 1999; M.S.E., Purdue University, 1996; B.S.E., Walla Walla University, 1993.
Areas of Interest: Thomsen teaches fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics and combustion. He enjoys birdwatching, hiking, camping, board games, and reading.
Louie Yaw
Professor of Engineering
(509) 527-2081 | louie.yaw@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 259
Education: Ph.D., University of California, Davis, 2008; M.S., University of California, Davis, 1996; B.S.E., Walla Walla University, 1992.
Professional Associations: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAC).
Areas of Interest: Yaw teaches structural design, steel design, statics, structural analysis, writing for engineers, intro to engineering, and mechanics of materials. He enjoys oil painting, volleyball, tennis, reading, and writing.
Teri Bozeman
Administrative Assistant
(509) 527-2765 | teri.bozeman@wallawalla.edu
Chan Shun Pavilion 255, 2nd Floor Office Suite