School of Engineering Celebrates the Installation of Professor Hanseok Ko as the Inaugural Newton-Bennett Chair in Engineering

On Monday, April 14, the School of Engineering celebrated the installation of Hanseok Ko, ordinary professor of electrical engineering and computer science, as the Newton-Bennett Chair in Engineering. Professor Ko, an alumnus of the University, earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1992. He returns to Catholic University following his tenure as a senior faculty member at Korea University and as a principal engineer with the U.S. Department of Defense. He has also served as a visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland. A distinguished scholar and researcher, Ko has authored more than 750 publications and holds 83 patents.

The Newton-Bennett Chair is the third endowed chair in the School of Engineering. It was established through the generosity of the late Randolph Rodney Newton, a double alumnus of the University who earned his B.Arch. in 1952 and M.C.E. in 1954. Newton was a dedicated benefactor of the School of Engineering, with a philanthropic vision for promoting ethical advancements in artificial intelligence.

Before the formal ceremony, Ko was joined by senior University leadership and honored guests of the School of Engineering for a celebratory toast. In his remarks, President Peter Kilpatrick emphasized the significance of the occasion: 

“The Newton-Bennett Endowed Chair is more than a title; it is a recognition of excellence, impact, and the profound respect Dr. Ko has earned from colleagues, students, and peers around the world. This honor reflects not only his past achievements, but the promising future he continues to build with us at The Catholic University of America.”

During the installation, Dean John Judge highlighted the School of Engineering’s strategic focus on becoming a national leader in the development and application of artificial intelligence. In recent years, the school has recruited top-tier faculty and implemented new graduate and undergraduate degree programs. He noted that Ko’s appointment strengthens the school’s commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation in AI: “With Dr. Ko joining our faculty as the inaugural Newton-Bennett Chair, we strengthen our commitment to excellence in research and help ensure that our students and faculty are at the forefront of this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.”

Before Ko delivered his remarks, he was formally presented with the Newton-Bennett Medal by Dean Judge and Provost Aaron Dominguez, symbolizing the honor of the endowed position. Ko then shared his vision for the future of AI at Catholic University:

“I look forward to helping set up a truly cross-disciplinary AI research center that encourages the School of Engineering to work collaboratively alongside the faculty and students across the University’s schools. AI is not just about computers and algorithms—it is about people and using technology to empower and serve humanity. I consider this appointment more than just an honor—it is a serious responsibility and deep commitment for me to help address not only the technical issues of AI, but also its ethical considerations. Catholic University is a perfect place to ensure that AI’s advantages and benefits align with our mission to serve the Church, nation, and world.”

Ko will lead the School of Engineering’s Multimodal AI Lab in advancing research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and human-machine interaction. Under his leadership, Catholic University will expand its influence in the field and continue attracting students who seek to explore AI within a mission-driven academic community.

For more information about his research, please read our Q&A with Professor Ko.