William ParkeR, Treasurer
Research Professor of Physics and Astronomy
William Parker received his bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College in Meadville PA where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and his masters and doctorate degrees in physics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Parker’s research primarily focuses on the electronic properties of metals, particularly superconductors. He conducted elegant and precise low-temperature laboratory experiments designed to increase our knowledge of the fundamental physical constants. For this research, he received the John Price Wetherill Medal of the Franklin Institute in 1975.
Dr. Parker’s distinguished service to UC Irvine began in 1967, when he was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He was promoted to Professor of Physics in 1976. In that same year he began administrative service, when he was appointed half time as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Plans and Programs. His service to the campus continued as Associate Executive Vice Chancellor, under several Executive Vice Chancellors, from 1984 through 2000. During this period, he also served as Acting Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies in 1988-89 and again in 1994-95; assumed responsibilities for Network and Academic Computing Services from 1989 to 2000; and was instrumental in creating the Irvine Campus Housing Authority (ICHA) that is responsible for building the faculty and staff housing community known as University Hills. He served as President of the ICHA from 1983 to 1990.
From 2000 to 2006, Dr. Parker served as the Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies and was responsible for services provided by the Office of Graduate Studies, Research Administration, Technology Alliances, University Laboratory Animal Resources, Research Development and Federal Relations. He served as the Interim Director of the California Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology, UC Irvine Division from 2001 to 2003. He also served as chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy from 2007 to 2012. During the period Sept. 1, 2015 – Aug. 31, 2017 he served as Chair Elect and Chair of the Irvine Division of the Academic Senate.
His research, teaching and university service have earned him many campus honors and awards. Included among them are the UC Irvine Medal in 2009 (the highest honor awarded by UC Irvine), the Daniel G. Aldrich, Jr. Distinguished University Service Award, Academic Senate 2008, UC Irvine Alumni Association Lauds and Laurels “Extraordinarious” Award in 1989, the Lauds and Laurels University Service Award in 1980, and the School of Physical Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award in 1979 and 1983.
Throughout his administrative career, Dr. Parker continued to teach physics.
Dr. Parker married his wife Janice in 1964. They have three grown sons and two grandsons and one granddaughter.
William Parker received his bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College in Meadville PA where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and his masters and doctorate degrees in physics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Parker’s research primarily focuses on the electronic properties of metals, particularly superconductors. He conducted elegant and precise low-temperature laboratory experiments designed to increase our knowledge of the fundamental physical constants. For this research, he received the John Price Wetherill Medal of the Franklin Institute in 1975.
Dr. Parker’s distinguished service to UC Irvine began in 1967, when he was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He was promoted to Professor of Physics in 1976. In that same year he began administrative service, when he was appointed half time as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Plans and Programs. His service to the campus continued as Associate Executive Vice Chancellor, under several Executive Vice Chancellors, from 1984 through 2000. During this period, he also served as Acting Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies in 1988-89 and again in 1994-95; assumed responsibilities for Network and Academic Computing Services from 1989 to 2000; and was instrumental in creating the Irvine Campus Housing Authority (ICHA) that is responsible for building the faculty and staff housing community known as University Hills. He served as President of the ICHA from 1983 to 1990.
From 2000 to 2006, Dr. Parker served as the Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies and was responsible for services provided by the Office of Graduate Studies, Research Administration, Technology Alliances, University Laboratory Animal Resources, Research Development and Federal Relations. He served as the Interim Director of the California Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology, UC Irvine Division from 2001 to 2003. He also served as chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy from 2007 to 2012. During the period Sept. 1, 2015 – Aug. 31, 2017 he served as Chair Elect and Chair of the Irvine Division of the Academic Senate.
His research, teaching and university service have earned him many campus honors and awards. Included among them are the UC Irvine Medal in 2009 (the highest honor awarded by UC Irvine), the Daniel G. Aldrich, Jr. Distinguished University Service Award, Academic Senate 2008, UC Irvine Alumni Association Lauds and Laurels “Extraordinarious” Award in 1989, the Lauds and Laurels University Service Award in 1980, and the School of Physical Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award in 1979 and 1983.
Throughout his administrative career, Dr. Parker continued to teach physics.
Dr. Parker married his wife Janice in 1964. They have three grown sons and two grandsons and one granddaughter.