Service to CMU
Joel Tarr currently serves as the Richard S. Caliguiri University Professor of History and Public Policy in the Department of History in the Dietrich College. He has additional appointments in the Heinz College and Department of Engineering and Public Policy. He served as acting dean of the Heinz College (then SUPA, 1986), associate dean of the Dietrich College (then the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS), 1988-91), acting dean of H&SS (1991-92) and acting head of the Department of History (1992-93).
Professor Tarr studies the history of the urban environment and the development of urban technological systems and has published widely in these areas. He has directed over twenty-four doctoral dissertations.
Professional Achievements
Professor Tarr has achieved many accomplishments during his time at CMU, including but not limited to:
- Carnegie Mellon Robert Doherty Prize (1992)
- Society for History of Technology Leonardo da Vinci Medal (2008)
- National Council on Public History Founders Award (2018)
Celebrating the retirement of Joel Tarr!
After 50+ years of dedicated and invaluable service to Carnegie Mellon University and its students and graduates, Professor Joel A. Tarr will retire this spring.
In honor of his legacy and impact on CMU as well as the students who passed through over five decades, we are naming Baker Hall 246A the Joel A. Tarr Conference Room.
This crowdfunding campaign has ended. You can support the Joel A. Tarr Conference Room by visiting giving.cmu.edu.
Other ways to make a gift
Check by mail:
PO Box 371525 Pittsburgh, PA 15251-7525
Wire transfers and cryptocurrency:
gift-administration@andrew.cmu.edu or 412-268-2582