James Chambers, senior scientist at the National Center for Physical Acoustics, provides pro bono consulting work to the community including the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, among others.
OXFORD, Miss. – Most of James Chambers’ days are filled with work responsibilities, yet the University of Mississippi professor and scientist often makes time to volunteer his expertise in various service projects.
A senior scientist at UM’s National Center for Physical Acoustics, Chambers takes great pride in providing pro bono consulting work to the community at large. Examples include the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, the Prentiss County Courthouse, College Hill Heights Baptist Church in Oxford and the United Methodist Church in Charleston.
“Each of these sites had poor acoustic properties and limited resources to fix the problem,” said Chambers, an associate professor of mechanical engineering. “We were able to bring high-level equipment, analysis and students to the problem and recommend solutions that would work with their budget.”
Chambers provided his service for free because he believes that’s what faculty members are supposed to do for society.
“The jobs were never huge, so they didn’t take away from class time or research,” he said “But they always provided teachable moments for the students involved.”
Chambers’ efforts have been very much appreciated by those he has helped, such as Louanne P. Cossar, director of music at Charleston’s United Methodist Church. In a letter to Alice Clark, UM vice chancellor of research and sponsored programs, she wrote:
“Upon our request for help with the sound quality, Dr. Chambers came to our church, bringing with him two of his most qualified students, to do sound tests and evaluations. After spending several hours of testing, measuring, listening and recording data, he promised to quickly evaluate and make suggestions as to the best solutions to our problem.
“He did this by way of a list of suggestions, pointing out the most economical ways, the quickest fixes and the ways that would prove the best with long-lasting results. Our committee is delighted with his information and is deeply grateful for his leadership and expertise in this matter.”
In addition to service outside UM, Chambers supports the activities of student chapters of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers and other student groups. He has also given numerous tours of the mechanical engineering department and NCPA to students ranging in age from grade school to the doctorate level.
Chambers works with local Boy Scout troops and Cub Scout packs, helping them earn their engineering, robotics and other science-related merit badges and activity pins and to meet advancement requirements. He also provides computer support for local Cub Scout Pinewood Derby races.
“Working at the university has been, in a word, fun,” said Chambers, who served as interim director of NCPA in 2010-2012. “The intellectual challenges are great, working with students keeps me on my toes and the financial benefits are rewarding. I get to teach, perform research and provide service to the community at large.”
A graduate of Georgia Tech, Chambers was named a Hertz Foundation fellow, one of the most prestigious fellowships in the applied sciences, in graduate school and an outstanding graduate of the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering in 2010. His research focuses on custom sonar systems to monitor sediment transport in support of erosion studies, which has received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Geological Survey.
While his academic honors and research awards are meaningful, Chambers enjoys teaching most of all. Courses he teaches include power, fluid mechanics, thermal fluids laboratory and thermodynamics. He was honored when his students voted him Teacher of the Year in Mechanical Engineering earlier this year.
“This was the first year I was eligible for the award,” Chambers said. “As a professor, their approval is really what matters most to me.”