Dr. Jack V. Matson

Dr. Jack V. Matson serves as Emeritus Professor of Environmental Engineering at Penn State University, where he has revolutionized engineering education through his "Intelligent Fast Failure" approach to innovation and creativity. His distinguished career combines expertise in environmental engineering with groundbreaking teaching methodologies that encourage risk-taking and creative problem-solving. With BS and MS degrees in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from Rice University, he has established himself as an expert in waste management, industrial water treatment, and hazardous waste management. As the former Director of the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education, he developed innovative courses that challenged traditional risk-averse approaches to learning. His entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his founding of three companies: Matson and Associates Inc., Envinity Inc., and Bhutopia LLC. He has authored several influential books on innovation, including "Innovate or Die!" and "Art of Innovation using Intelligent Fast Failure." His teaching philosophy, which emphasizes the essential role of failure in the innovation process, has inspired countless students and professionals to embrace risk-taking as a pathway to innovation. Through his courses and writings, he continues to influence the field of engineering education and innovation methodology.