The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

John Carney III, The Chancellor of Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, is planning to retire after 6 years at his desk.

Carney III received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Merrimack College in North Andover, MA (1963), and a master's degree (1964) and Ph.D. (1966) in civil engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Prior to his appointment as chancellor, Carney was the Provost and Vice President for academic affairs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass.

Widely recognized in the research community for his work in the area of impact mechanics, Carney's research has led to the development and implementation of a series of impact attenuation devices used in motorway safety applications. Carney holds ten patents in this area.

His research in the field has focused on developing reusable, maintenance-free impact attenuation devices for transportation safety applications. These safety devices are constructed with "smart" materials that restore themselves to their original shapes following an impact, thereby eliminating the need for costly repair operations and associated liability concerns. These reusable devices are now used extensively throughout the United States and around the world.

Under Carney, the university changed its name from the University of Missouri-Rolla to Missouri University of Science and Technology. It also raised nearly $212 million in private funds for scholarships, academic programs, facilities and equipment.

The university says in a news release the 69-year-old Chancellor plans to retire August 31 of this year, after the summer session is finished.

(The Associated Press contributed to the writing of this story)