The Penn State Outstanding Engineering Alumni (OEA) Awards recognize graduates who have reached exceptional levels of professional achievement. Established in 1966, the award is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Engineering. A list of previous winners is available online at Past OEA Awardeees.

Award Purpose

The purpose shall be to recognize and reward outstanding Penn State Engineering alumni for their success as leaders in their field (engineering, science, business, education, or government) and for the impact they have had and will continue to have on society and their profession. These exceptional alumni should provide outstanding role models for current engineering students.

Award Eligibility

Any person may be nominated who is an alumnus/ae of the Penn State College of Engineering. Current members of the University faculty or staff are not eligible. Eligible candidates should have a record of professional achievements which are widely recognized for their quality and significance.

Nomination Process

One nomination for each four-year, degree-granting program in a department may be submitted by the department head. Department heads may take suggestions from faculty, students, or alumni and select candidates to place in nomination. The department will be responsible for the preparation of a nomination dossier which includes a completed nomination form and any other appropriate documentation to present the best case for selection. The nominee should not be contacted for information.

All nominations will be sent to the Executive Committee prior to the selection date.

All Executive Committee members should review each nomination carefully in advance of the meeting at which the selection of Outstanding Engineering Alumni will be conducted. If desired, each department head will have an opportunity to make a brief (up to two minutes) oral presentation in support of that department's candidate at that meeting. Other Executive Committee members will then have an opportunity to ask questions and/or make comments.

Selection Process

All Executive Committee members will grade each candidate on a scale of 0 to 4. All candidates receiving an average grade of 3.0 or better will be selected for final consideration.

Program

The title "Outstanding Engineering Alumnus/Alumna," a permanent designation, shall be conferred upon each recipient of the Award by the Dean of the College of Engineering at an appropriate ceremony. The Outstanding Engineering Alumnus/Alumna shall receive a plaque and have his or her name and likeness engraved on the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Awards plaque which is permanently displayed in the College. The Outstanding Engineering Alumni awardees will be asked to return to campus to receive their awards and to interact in specific and significant ways with College of Engineering students, faculty, and alumni.

Procedures

• Invitation to the Outstanding Engineering Alumnus/Alumna initially comes from the Dean of the College of Engineering.
• Expenses for one double room per OEA, welcome reception, award ceremony, and reception and dinner following the ceremony will be borne by the Dean of the College. Additional guests must assume their own room expenses; however, the Dean's Office will help locate accommodations.
• Dinner the evening before the ceremony and lunch on the day of the ceremony will be at the expense of the department host.
• Each department host is in charge of the OEA's activities following breakfast on the day of the ceremony. It is suggested that OEAs be given a period of free time prior to the award ceremony.
• The department head will ask OEAs to participate in seminars, classes, informal discussions and other student-oriented activities in addition to offering their expertise to faculty and administrators.
• It is recommended that the department host discuss a tentative agenda with the OEA for suggestions and approval before finalizing the agenda.
• The Coordinator of Alumni Relations is the overall coordinator for the program and works with each department host.

Revised July 2003