By Mariana Leon Smith

In the 1970s, John Usher was playing bass guitar with his band “Circus” at the Red Barn.

Now, he’s Chairman of the Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Louisville Speed School and has earned a Distinguished Teaching Professor Award.

Dr. Usher has accomplished a lot and most of his accomplishments have been right here at U of L.

Usher received his Bachelor of Science and Master’s of Engineering degrees in Industrial Engineering from U of L in 1980 and 1981.

Later on, he received his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at North Carolina State University, and started teaching at U of L shortly thereafter.

“I liked being a student here,” Usher said. “Speed was difficult, but doable.”

Classes that involved design, particularly Facilities Design, were among his favorite courses at U of L.

His least favorite courses were the “overly mathematical and theoretical” ones, but Usher said, “I won’t say which ones though, because feelings may get hurt.”

Currently, Usher works as a reliability engineer for the IBM Corporation and has done countless research and written publications for the field.

The entire list can be found on his home page, at http://louisville.edu/~jsushe01/.

For Usher, the best thing about being an industrial engineer is the large-scale integrative systems like hospitals, factories and theme parks.

“It’s different than other careers because there’s a human element, where people are the main component.”

After having taught for 20 years, Usher’s most rewarding moments come at the time of graduation, he said.

“I get a kick out of seeing students get their degrees,” said Usher.

“They can sometimes be the first person ever to get a college degree in their family; I’ve had parents come up and hug me. It’s very rewarding.”

In 2001, Usher was honored with a Distinguished Teaching Professor Award.

Some of his students will affirm that this award is well-deserved.

Xiao Cai, an industrial engineering graduate student said, “He makes his classes interesting and uses games and real-life cases to help us understand the class.”

Xu Yang, also an IE grad student said, “I like the way he teaches; it’s not boring. He’s always kind to all students.”

Usher said that making the class interesting and fun, as well as staying active in the profession are just a few of the characteristics that make a good professor.

“Students are paying a lot of money to come here. I don’t want them to waste their time, so as a professor, I set high expectations for them.”

For him, it’s not about getting students to like him, but getting students to feel they have accomplished something.

When Usher is not delving into engineering, his free time is spent cheering his children on at basketball games and swim meets, and listening to his 15 year-old son’s band “Radiodaze.”

He also enjoys listening to classic rock and playing golf.

Usher’s eldest daughter will be starting U of L as a business major.

“It’ll probably be strange for her, because I’m near, but I promised her I wouldn’t bug her,” he said.

“I’m sure she’ll come by my office when she has problems with her computer or wants money, though.”