Jon Van Gerpen will have his hands full this year.

He is not only taking on the responsibility of interim chairman of the mechanical engineering department, but he is also continuing research on internal combustion engines and alternative fuels and directing a series of workshops devoted to developing and promoting diesel fuel.

Despite the heavy load, Rod Simpson, administrative specialist in mechanical engineering, said Van Gerpen will do a great job. He said the department is “proud to have him as a chair.”

Van Gerpen, a professor at Iowa State since 1984, was named interim chairman in July, after his predecessor, Warren DeVries, took a sabbatical at the National Science Foundation.

DeVries will spend his time with the National Science Foundation as a division director, overseeing research and mechanical systems. He eventually plans to return to Iowa State as a faculty member. Iowa State is seeking a permanent chair for the department.

Van Gerpen said Iowa State actively encourages sabbaticals. He took one with John Deere, where he worked on an engine design team so he could have more industrial experience in his research area.

Van Gerpen said DeVries has been a great help. Van Gerpen and DeVries had a three-week overlap when they were both on campus. Van Gerpen said the overlap helped him a lot.

Van Gerpen, normally an instructor in internal combustion engines, will not be teaching this semester. He said chairs do not typically teach.

Although, he is not teaching, Char Kravinsky, a secretary in the department, said Van Gerpen is “a really open, honest, kind individual who would be willing to talk to anyone who needed help.”

Van Gerpen went to school at Iowa State and received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State. He then went on to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. After completing his education, he returned to ISU as a mechanical engineering professor.

As a faculty member at Iowa State, Van Gerpen met his wife, Mary Jo. She was a secretary in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

They have two children, Steve and Jay. They enjoy traveling as a family. This summer they spent 10 days in Turkey while Van Gerpen was on business.