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2016 Honorees 

Jason Dees Outstanding Young Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 2003, Louisiana Tech University
MS ME, 2006, University of Texas at Austin
PhD ME, 2010, University of Texas at Austin
Manager, Turbine Gas Path Lab at GE Global Research

Clifton Roozeboom Outstanding Young Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 2009, University of Texas at Austin
MS ME, 2012, Stanford University
PhD ME, 2015, Stanford University
Co-Founder and CEO, Myriad Sensors

Ron Nixon Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1978, University of Texas at Austin
Founder, The Catalyst Group, Inc.

Michael Khonsari Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1978, University of Texas at Austin
MS ME, 1979, University of Texas at Austin
PhD ME, 1983, University of Texas at Austin
Dow Chemical Endowed Chair and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Louisiana State University

Ron Hughes Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame
BS ME, 1970, University of Texas at Austin
Retired, Raytheon Principal Engineering Fellow

Glenn Goss Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1975, University of Texas at Austin
Chief Reservoir Engineer, ExxonMobil

Gary Vliet Honorary Mechanical Engineer
BS ChE, 1955, University of Alberta
MS, 1957, Stanford University
PhD, 1962, Stanford University
Professor Emeritus and W.R. Woolrich Professor in Engineering, UT Austin Department of Mechanical Engineering

Jeannie Falcon Honorary Mechanical Engineer
BS Physics, 1988, Carnegie Mellon University
MS ME, 1990, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
PhD ME, 1994, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Chief Engineer, Controls and Simulation at National Instruments

Milton Lee Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame
BS ME, 1971, University of Texas at Austin
Retired, CEO of CPS Energy

The following honorees are unable to attend this year’s ceremony, but will be recognized at next year's event:

Ed Hyman Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame
BS ME, 1967, University of Texas at Austin
Chairman, Evercore ISI and Vice Chairman of Evercore

Cheryl Blanchard Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS Ceramics Engineering, Alfred University
MS Materials Science & Engineering, 1989, University of Texas at Austin
PhD Materials Science & Engineering, 1994, University of Texas at Austin
President and CEO, Microchips Biotech, Inc.

Michael McGarry Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS ME, 1980, University of Texas at Austin
President and Chief Executive Office, PPG Industries, Inc.

As a way of recognizing the accomplishments and careers of our outstanding alumni, the 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

The nominations for 2017 are now closed. Please contact Marilyn Harris if you would like to nominate someone for 2018.

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.

Distinguished Alumni Awards Recipients

Outstanding Young Mechanical Engineer

• Jason Dees (2016)
• Clifton Roozeboom (2016)
• Catherine A. Tradd (2015)
• Jennifer Street (2014)
• Dr. Sara Brand  (2013)
• Amy Yip (2012)
• Dr. Marcus D. Ashford (2011)
• Stacy A. Genovese (2009)
• Dr. Suman Das (2008)
• Dr. Karen L. Nyberg (2008)
• David K. Leigh (2007)
• Andrew J. Mawer (2007)
• Gloria Ho Driscoll (2006)
• Kjell Knutson (2005)
• Jerri L. Paul (2004)
• Ryan L. Thompson (2004)

Distinguished Mechanical Engineer

• Ron Nixon (2016)
• Cheryl R. Blanchard (2016)
• Glenn Goss (2016)
• Michael Khonsari (2016)
• Michael H. McGarry (2016)
• Julio C. Guerrero (2015)
• Carl G. Langner (2015)
• Mike Naeve (2014)
• Thomas "Keller" Towns, P.E. (2014)
• Dr. Robert Ambrose (2013)
• Greg Dekunder (2013)
• Christopher J. Pappas (2012)
• Dr. Rey Calderon (2012)
• Dr. Joseph J. Beaman (2011)
• Daniel J. Crowley (2011)
• Dr. Janet L. Ellzey (2011)
• Honorable S. Lee Leffingwell (2009)
• Dr. Arthur C. Ratzel, III (2009)
• Dr. J. Mike Walker (2009)
• Douglas J. Suttles (2008)
• Richard D. Relyea (2008)
• Susan L. Allen (2007)
• Robert C. Olsen (2007)
• Terrell A. "Bear" Poth (2007)
• B. Elliott Short, Jr. (2007)
• Royce J. Holland, Jr. (2006)
• Marvin E. Odum, III (2006)
• Warren R. Waggoner, P.E. (2006)
• Dr. Enrique "Rick" Barrera (2005)
• Cathy Foerster (2005)
• Dr. John H. Gully (2005)
• Col. Nathaniel H. Sledge, Jr. (2005)
• Kim Ess (2004)
• Robert C. Leibrock (2004)
• Karen A. Thole, Ph.D. (2004)

Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame

• Milton B. Lee (2016)
• Ron Hughes (2016)
• Ed Hyman (2016)
• Harovel G. Wheat (2015)
• Clifford L. Thomson (2014)
• Mike McShane (2013)
• David E. Leigh (2012)
• Don Foster (2012)
• John T. MacGuire (2011, posthumous)
• Dr. Glenn E. Staats (2009)
• Eric L. Jones (2008)
• Sam Y. Zamrik (2008)
• Marcel E. Gres (2007)
• Richard L. Walton (2007)
• Dr. J. Wesley Barnes (2006)
• James E. Nugent (2006)
• Nathaniel I. Shapiro (2006)
• Frank P. Sebastian (2005)
• Mary Jo Knobelsdorf (2004)
• Patrick Barry Niland (2004)
• William "Billy" Amstead (1995)
• Leonard Kreisle (1993)

Honorary Mechanical Engineer

• Gary Vliet (2016)
• Jeannie S. Falcon (2016)
• J. Parker Lamb (2015)
• Dr. David T. Blackstock (2014)
• Susan G. Rosenbaum (2014)
• Denise Elston (2013)
• Dr. Kenneth Ball (2013)
• Dr. John Howell (2013)
• Dr. John B. Goodenough (2012)
• Dr. Philip S. Schmidt (2009)
• Walt Benson (2008)
• Shaunna Black (2006)
• Hon. Dale Klein, Ph.D. (2005)
• Dr. Ofodike Ezekoye, Ph.D.(2004)

Charter Members of the Academy

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