Academy of Distinguished Alumni

As a way of recognizing the accomplishments and careers of our outstanding alumni, the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering established the Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2004. The Academy’s purpose is to:

• Recognize high-achieving mechanical engineers from among the UT Austin community and from the engineering community at large
• Champion the mechanical engineering profession
• Build a strong community and facilitate interactions among our students, faculty, alumni and corporate partners

**Nominations are closed for 2019**

The Academy recognizes alumni in four categories:

Outstanding Young Mechanical Engineer

These members must be 40 years old or younger and have shown outstanding work in their field, plus be promising leaders for the future. They must have a strong commitment and interest in the University and the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Distinguished Mechanical Engineer

These members must be over the age 40 and have proven superior professional achievement, community service, and service to the University. These alumni are role models for all to follow and their example of distinguished professional practice deserves recognition.

Mechanical Engineering Hall Of Fame

Members in this category are alumni who are retired or near-retirement with outstanding career records. This award recognizes sustained and meritorious contributions of distinguished professional practice.

Honorary Mechanical Engineer

Recipients of this award are non-UT ME alumni who have made major contributions to the engineering profession and whose support of the Department of Mechanical Engineering merits recognition.

Charter Members of the Academy

These are individuals who have been honored by The University of Texas at Austin or Cockrell School of Engineering as Distinguished Alumni are automatically inducted into the Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni. These individuals have served the profession of engineering, The University of Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering with great distinction.

Denise J. Elston - President

Glenn Gilkey - President Elect

Dr. Richard R. Neptune, Walker Department of Engineering Chair - Secretary/Treasurer

Bliss Angerman - Communications/Endowment

Warren Waggoner - Membership Committee

Elliott Short - Membership Committee

Mike McShane - Membership Committee

Dr. Joe Beaman - Membership Committee - Academic Advisor

Board of Directors

Kenneth D. Cockrell

Dr. Harovel G. Wheat

Art C. Ratzel

Sam Y. Zamrik

The Department of Mechanical Engineering cordially invites you the 2019 Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni Weekend!

Friday, September 13, 2019

12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Byron Short Lecture
“Becoming an Entrepreneur”
Featuring 2018 Inductee, Danielle Applestone, and 2019 Inductee, Azita Sharif

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Business Meeting

5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
2019 Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni Honoree Banquet
Etter-Harbin Alumni Center

Rooms are available at the AT&T Conference Center for $189/night. Reserve your room now!

Sumit Singh Outstanding Young Mechanical Engineer
MS ME, 2003

W. Chase Canfield III Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1975

N. Binz DeWalch Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1981

Edgar Figueroa Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1994

W. Casey Fox Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1982
MS BME, 1984
PhD BME, 1990

Terry J. Hendricks Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
MS ME, 1979
PhD ME, 1993

Emily J. Nelson Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1998

William (Bill) F. Schneider Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1993

Azita Sharif Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1987
MS ME, 1989

Jack F. Browder, Jr. Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame
BS ME, 1972

Robert Viktorin Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame
BS ME, 1981

Arumugam Manthiram Honorary Mechanical Engineer

These are individuals who have been honored by The University of Texas at Austin or Cockrell School of Engineering as Distinguished Alumni are automatically inducted into the Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni. These individuals have served the profession of engineering, The University of Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering with great distinction.

Distinguished Alumni Awards Recipients

Outstanding Young Mechanical Engineer

• Danielle Applestone (2018)
• Jacob Cordova (2017)
• Alok Warey, Ph.D. (2017)
• Jason Dees, Ph.D. (2016)
• Clifton Roozeboom, Ph.D. (2016)
• Catherine (Cat) Tradd (2015)
• Jennifer Porlier Street (2014)
• Sara Thurwachter Brand, Ph.D. (2013)
• Amy Yip (2012)
• Marcus D. Ashford, Ph.D. (2011)
• Stacy Genovese (2009)
• Suman Das (2008)
• Karen L. Nyberg, Ph.D. (2008)
• David K. Leigh (2007)
• Andrew J. Mawer (2007)
• Gloria H. Driscoll (2006)
• Kjell T. Knutsen (2005)
• Jerri Paul (2004)
• Ryan Thompson, M.S., P.E., C.E.M. (2004)

Distinguished Mechanical Engineer

• Terrence F. Alger (2018)
• Richard M. Church, Jr. (2018)
• Robert E. Grimes (2018)
• Michael N. Hart (2018)
• Laura H. Lewis (2018)
• Steven M. Trujillo (2018)
• Lisa B. Waters (2018)
• Bryan D. Willson (2018)
• Leslie A. Fallon, P.E. (2017)
• Gary Polansky, Ph.D. (2017)
• Ronald T. Nixon (2016)
• Cheryl R. Blanchard, Ph.D. (2016)
• Glenn S. Goss (2016)
• Michael M. Khonsari, Ph.D. (2016)
• Michael H. McGarry (2016)
• Julio C. Guerrero, Ph.D. (2015)
• Carl Langner, Ph.D, P.E. (2015)
• Mike Naeve (2014)
• Thomas Keller Towns, P.E. (2014)
• Robert O. Ambrose, Ph.D. (2013)
• Greg DeKunder (2013)
• Christopher J. Pappas (2012)
• Reynaldo Calderon, M.D. (2012)
• Joseph J. Beaman, Jr., Sc.D., P.E. (2011)
• Daniel J. Crowley, Ph.D. (2011)
• Janet Ellzey, Ph.D., P.E. (2011)
• Lee Leffingwell, BSME (2009)
• Arthur C. Ratzel, III (2009)
• J. Mike Walker, Ph.D. (2009)
• Douglas J. Suttles (2008)
• Richard (Rick) D. Relyea, P.E. (2008)
• Susan L. Allen (2007)
• Robert C. Olsen (2007)
• Bear Poth (2007)
• Byron Elliott Short, Jr., Ph.D., P.E. (2007)
• Royce J. Holland, Jr. (2006)
• Marvin E. Odum, III (2006)
• Warren R. Waggoner, P.E. (2006)
• Enrique V. Barrera, Ph.D. (2005)
• Catherine P. Foerster (2005)
• John H. Gully, P.E. (2005)
• Nathaniel H. Sledge, Jr., Ph.D. (2005)
• Kim Maureen Ess (2004)
• Bob Leibrock (2004)
• Karen A. Thole, Ph.D. (2004)

Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame

• J. David Frank (2018)
• L. Benjamin Houston, Jr. (2018)
• Glenn Gilkey, P.E. (2017)
• Michael S. Reese (2017)
• Noboru Kikuchi, Ph.D. (2017)
• Milton B. Lee, II, P.E. (2016)
• Ronald P. Hughes, P.E. (2016)
• Edward S. Hyman (2016)
• Harovel G. Wheat, Ph.D., P.E. (2015)
• Clifford L. Thomson (2014)
• Michael B. McShane (2013)
• David E. Leigh (2012)
• Don Foster (2012)
• John T. MacGuire (2011, posthumous)
• Glenn E. Staats, Ph.D. (2009)
• Eric L. Jones, Ph.D. (2008)
• Sam Y. Zamrik, Ph.D. (2008)
• Marcel Emile Gres, P.E. (2007)
• Richard Lee Walton (2007)
• J. Wesley Barnes, Ph.D., P.E. (2006)
• James E. Nugent (2006)
• Nathaniel I. Shapiro (2006)
• Frank P. Sebastian, Jr. (2005)
• Mary Jo Knobelsdorf (2004)
• Patrick Barry Niland (2004)
• Billy Howard Amstead, Ph.D., P.E. (1995)
• Leonardt F. Kreisle, Ph.D., P.E. (1993)

Honorary Mechanical Engineer

• Michael Webber (2018)
• Ernest Linn Draper, Jr., Ph.D., P.E. (2017)
• Kenneth R. Diller, Sc.D., P.E. (2017)
• Gary Vliet (2016)
• Jeanne Sullivan Falcon, Ph.D. (2016)
• J. Parker Lamb, Ph.D., P.E. (2015)
• David T. Blackstock, Ph.D. (2014)
• Susan Rosenbaum (2014)
• Denise Elston, P.E. (2013)
• Kenneth S. Ball, Ph.D., P.E. (2013)
• John (Jack) R. Howell, Ph.D., P.E. (2013)
• John B. Goodenough, Ph.D. (2012)
• Philip S. Schmidt, Ph.D., P.E. (2009)
• Walt Benson (2008)
• Shaunna F. Black (2006)
• Dale Klein, Ph.D., P.E. (2005)
• Ofodike (DK) Ezekoye, Ph.D., P.E. (2004)

Charter Members of the Academy

• Thomas L. Baker, BSME
• William M. Boren
• Patrick Braden
• Jerry W. Brougher
• William C. Cawthon (Posthumous)
• Kenneth D. Cockrell
• Keys A. Curry, Jr., P.E.
• Gerald P. D'Arcy
• Maurice N. Dannenbaum (Posthumous)
• Louis F. Davis (Posthumous)
• Donald James Douglass
• Kenneth E. Eickmann, P.E.
• Donald L. Evans
• Thomas J. Fallon
• Clay W.G. Fulcher, Ph.D.
• Edward M. Galle
• George A. Helland, P.E.
• George P. Hill (Posthumous)
• Joe J. King (Posthumous)
• Frank Wilkins McBee, Jr. (Posthumous)
• Hon. Charles E. McQueary, Ph.D.
• Thomas Louis Moser, P.E.
• Carol Lister Orr (Posthumous)
• Katherine Pearsall, Ph.D., P.E.
• H. Grady Rylander, Jr., Ph.D., P.E.
• Marvin Selig
• Calvin D. Sholtess
• Byron E. Short, Ph.D., P.E. (Posthumous)
• Richard W. Smalling, BSASE, MSME, M.D., Ph.D., FACC, MSCAI
• Byron D. Tapley, Ph.D.
• Johnny (Buddy) C. Wachel, P.E.