Dr. Horvath received the
BSEE degree in 1960 from Michigan Tech, the MSEE degree in 1962 from New
York University, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering in 1968
from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
From 1960 to 1962, he was a member of the technical staff at Bell
Telephone Laboratories at Murray Hill and Holmdel, New Jersey, where
he helped to develop some of the early electronic telephone switching
systems. From 1962 until his retirement in 1999 he was a member of the
faculty of Michigan Tech, where he currently holds the rank of Professor
Emeritus. At MTU he taught undergraduate courses in every area of electrical,
electronic, and computer engineering as well as graduate courses in
electronics and computer engineering. Several of his courses were videotaped
and carried to students in industry via the National Technological University
satellite
system. During a leave of absence in 1967 he was a research associate
at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology in Massachusetts
where he did pioneering work on the real-time statistical analysis of
the electrical activity of the brain. He designed and constructed the
computer interface, wrote the necessary programs, developed the necessary
surgical techniques
and carried out the experiments. While on sabbatical leave in 1984 he
taught computer science courses with the European Division of the University
of Maryland. In 1988 he taught microprocessor interfacing at an institution
in Australia and he held a position of Visiting Associate Professor
at the University of Auckland in New Zealand during 1993-94. In 1992
McGraw Hill
published his fifth book, a college textbook on microprocessors.
Dr. Horvath is a registered professional engineer in the state of Michigan.
He consults in the invention and development of tools and devices for
use in medicine. These items take advantage of current technology to
update operating room and diagnostic procedures. As a result of this
work, three patents have been issued. Two of the devices are commercially
successful. He and a colleague designed a pulse generator for use in
cardiac pacemakers for an Italian pacemaker manufacturer, M.E.D.I.CO.
ITALIA, which resulted in four trade secrets. This, too, developed into
a commercially successful product installed in patients throughout the
world. He also does consulting work on fires of electrical origin, microprocessor
systems, biomedical applications of computers and continuing technical
education. In the latter area he has taught many introductory microprocessor
courses to engineers, technicians and managers in industry, using course
materials he developed for that purpose. He also teaches a review course
for prospective professional engineers to prepare them for the Fundamentals
of Engineering professional registration examination.
The Michigan Tech Chapter of Eta Kappa Nu selected him as its first
"Outstanding Professor of Electrical Engineering" in 1977
and repeated the honor in 1982. In 1981 he received the international
Ralph R. Teetor Award for outstanding contributions to engineering education
from the Society of Automotive Engineers. In 1982 he was presented with
the Distinguished Teaching Award of Michigan Technological University.
In 1983 the Michigan Association of Governing Boards recognized him
with their Distinguished Faculty Member Award, and the National Communications
Forum awarded him a Schmitt Faculty Grant at their national conference.
In 1990, NTU listed him as one of its top ranked instructors and he
was a finalist for the Michigan
Master Teacher Award.
Since his retirement he has done volunteer work for Little Brothers
Friends of the E;lderly and for RSVP in Hancock, Michigan. He is also
a crisis line volunteer worker for Dial Help in Houghton, Michigan.
