Paul C. Jennings

Paul C. Jennings is a Professor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he has served on the faculty since 1966. He held leadership roles including Chairman of the Division of Engineering and Applied Science (1985-1989), Vice President and Provost (1989-1995; 2004-2007), and Acting Vice President for Business and Finance (1995, 1998-1999). Currently, he represents Caltech on the California Council on Science and Technology Board of Directors and serves as immediate past-chair of the Gordon Prize Committee.

He earned his B.S. in civil engineering from Colorado State University and M.S./Ph.D. degrees from Caltech after serving on the Air Force Academy faculty. His research focuses on earthquake engineering and structural dynamics, with numerous technical papers and consulting work on high-rise buildings, offshore drilling towers, and nuclear power plants.

Professor Jennings has held presidencies at the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and Seismological Society of America. He chaired critical National Academy of Engineering committees including the Draper Prize, Natural Disasters, and Los Alamos/Livermore Laboratories management panels.

• Newmark Medal (ASCE)
• Huber Prize (ASCE)
• Honor Alumnus Award (Colorado State University)
• Achievement in Academia Award (Colorado State University)
• Member, National Academy of Engineering
• Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Fellow, Association for the Advancement of Science

He advised on major public projects including the Loma Prieta earthquake Board of Inquiry and Pasadena’s City Hall Restoration Oversight Committee, demonstrating significant impact on seismic safety standards and civic infrastructure.