[4/8/2008]    College to recognize PSES Faculty/Staff Award winners on April 11

University Park, Pa. — The Penn State Engineering Society (PSES) Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony will take place in Kunkle Activities Center on Friday, April 11 at 1:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

The 15 award recipients that will be honored were nominated by colleagues and students for their work, research, teaching, service and advising.

The Outstanding Teaching Award will be given to Mark Horn, associate professor of engineering science and mechanics, and A. David Salvia, assistant professor of electrical engineering. The award recognizes faculty who demonstrate a strong commitment and interest to the education of students.

Linda Hanagan, associate professor of architectural engineering, will receive the Premier Teaching Award. The award honors individuals with exceptional quality and contributions to engineering education.

The Outstanding Research Award will recognize Michael Lanagan, associate director of the Materials Research Institute, for notable accomplishments advancing knowledge and illustrating the importance of research in engineering education.

The Premier Research Award will be given to Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Charles Godfrey Binder Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics; Timothy Simpson, professor of mechanical and industrial engineering; and Qiming Zhang, distinguished professor of electrical engineering. The award recognizes those who contribute exemplary research to scientific knowledge.

Gita Talmage, professor of mechanical engineering, will receive the Outstanding Advising Award. The award acknowledges outstanding advisers for engineering undergraduate and graduate students.

The Distinguished Service Award will recognize A. Michael Erdman, a 1969 engineering science and mechanics alumnus, and Louis Geschwindner, professor emeritus of architectural engineering. The award honors current or former faculty members, alumni or friends who have donated their time and knowledge to the College of Engineering.

The Outstanding Staff Award goes to engineering staff who demonstrate exceptional service to the College. This year's honorees are: Dianne Crust, communications consultant and budget assistant for mechanical engineering; John Domico, director of information systems for computer science and engineering; Ruth Smith, staff assistant for chemical engineering; and Sharron Williams, staff assistant for architectural engineering. Williams receives the award posthumously. She died in 2007.

The Lawrence J. Perez Memorial Student Advocate Award will be given to Sven Bilén, associate professor of engineering design, electrical engineering, and aerospace engineering. The award recognizes an engineering adviser who demonstrates a deep commitment to students and education.

The PSES is an alumni advisory board that works closely with deans, faculty and students in the College of Engineering to promote and improve the program at Penn State.