Mercer Times

Allen Katz, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, passed away this morning. At the time of his death, he was the longest-serving faculty member at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).

Dr. Katz joined TCNJ in 1971 and played a crucial role in establishing an engineering program that combined practical learning with rigorous technical education.

“[Professor Katz is] incredibly devoted to TCNJ,” stated Andrea Welker, Dean of the School of Engineering, in a fall 2023 feature story for TCNJ Magazine. “He was there from the beginning and helped build the department from nothing. To me, that’s his legacy. He took that risk and that opportunity to build something that was long lasting. He stuck with it and here it is.”

Throughout his tenure at TCNJ, Dr. Katz taught and mentored over 2,000 students and frequently served as an advisor for senior projects. He believed in the importance of faculty engagement with industry to effectively train students. From 1976 to 2007, he worked as a consultant for Lockheed Martin. In 1996, he founded Linearizer Communications Group, a communications technology company based in Hamilton, New Jersey. His company has been an important source of internships and employment for TCNJ students and alumni and a major donor to the School of Engineering.

A ham radio enthusiast and co-founder of the Trenton Computer Festival—the world's longest-running tech fair which began in 1976—Katz enjoyed bouncing radio signals off the moon during his spare time.

For further information about Dr. Katz's life, please refer to his obituary.