After obtaining civil engineering degrees at Stanford and MIT, Dr. Peter W. Likins began his career as a development engineer for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology from 1958 through 1960. He earned his doctorate in engineering mechanics at Stanford in 1965.

After enjoying high school wrestling success in northern California, Dr. Likins was wrestling captain at Stanford and undefeated in dual meets for four years. He placed second in 1955 in the Pacific Coast Conference and Far Western Freestyle tournaments.

As his career turned toward education, his engineering renown grew as the author of numerous articles and an engineering mechanics textbook, co-author of advanced texts on spacecraft dynamics and consultant to aerospace companies and government agencies in this country and abroad.

He has served on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Dr. Likins was on the engineering faculty at UCLA, 1964 to 1976, and associate dean, 1975 to 1976. He was a Ford Foundation Fellow, 1970 to 1972. He moved to Columbia University in 1976 as Dean of Engineering and Applied Science, then served as University Provost there, 1980 to 1982.

He was named President of Lehigh University in 1982.

Dr. Likins holds honorary degrees from four universities is on the board of directors of St. Luke's Hospital and the board of directors of the Council on Library Resources.