ANSYS FUNDS UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP TO HONOR FOUNDER JOHN A. SWANSON

PITTSBURGH, April 14 -- ANSYS Inc. will honor its founder, John A. Swanson, with a doctoral fellowship in the University of Pittsburgh's School of Engineering beginning in the Fall, 2000 semester.

Swanson, who earned his Ph.D. in applied mechanics from Pitt in 1966, is internationally recognized as an authority and innovator in the application of finite-element methods to engineering. Finite-element methods are computer modeling techniques used to analyze building structures and design systems.

"We're very fortunate to have an alumnus who has not only distinguished himself among his business and his scientific peers, but who is committed to quality engineering education and research," said Gerald Holder, dean of the School of Engineering.

The John Swanson Doctoral Fellowship will provide a full scholarship, a stipend, and an allowance for supplies and travel for a student performing research on projects directly related to the finite element industry. The fellow also will have the opportunity to work as an intern at ANSYS, Inc. during the summer months. Pitt's School of Engineering will create a second Swanson Fellowship in the fall of 2001.

Swanson, of Elizabeth, PA, received the 1998 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering, and is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). In 1994, he was one of Industry Week's Top 5 R&D Stars in the US, and in 1986-1987, Swanson was named Pittsburgh Engineer of the Year by ASME.

He won the Computers in Engineering award for outstanding contributions to the engineering and computing industries, and in 1988 was named Pittsburgh Entrepreneur of the Year in High Technology by the Entrepreneurial Services Group of the Arthur Young and Venture Magazine.

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