Carden joined the NMSU electrical engineering faculty in 1966, serving as department head from 1968 to 1987. His primary research interests involved telemetering and telecommunications, and during this time he worked to raise funds for an endowed chair in that area. His goal was realized in 1990, and he retired from NMSU in 1994. Prof. Carden was instrumental in establishing a world-class research and teaching program in telecommunications and telemetry within the Klipsch School. He did this through the establishment of the chair while at the same time working with Prof. Stephen Horan to attract several large research grants.
Students graduating from the program are in extremely high demand in the wireless industry.
A selection committee appoints the Frank Carden Chair for Telemetry and Telecommunications for a three-year term. Horan, who directs the program, currently holds the title. Carden received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, in 1959. He earned his master's degree in 1960 and his doctorate in 1965, both in electrical engineering at Oklahoma State University. Also at Friday's ceremony, engineering graduates will be inducted into the Sociedad de Ingenieros, or Society of Engineers.