On Saturday, November 11, roughly 200 outstanding mechanical engineering alumni and friends converged on the Engineering Teaching Center’s T-Room to celebrate the unveiling of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni Recognition Wall.
The wall, which includes the photos and biographies of all 127 members of the Academy, was dedicated to honor the department’s extraordinary alumni and to inspire students and visitors.
Department Chair Richard Neptune and Cockrell School of Engineering Dean Sharon Wood both spoke at the event.
“It’s no secret that we think our alumni are the best in the world,” said Dr. Neptune. “For more than 100 years, our Mechanical Engineering graduates have gone on to inspiring and prestigious careers here in Texas, across the nation, and around the globe.”
This year’s Academy of Distinguished Alumni honorees are:
Jacob Cordova Outstanding Young Mechanical Engineer
BS Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2007
Managing Director, PWJ Strategies
Alok Warey Outstanding Young Mechanical Engineer
BE Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, India, 2000
MS Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2003
PhD Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2005
Staff Researcher, General Motors Global Research and Development
Leslie Fallon Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1983
Vice President, Miller and Lents
Gary Polansky Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BS Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1978
MS Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1980
PhD Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1983
Senior Scientist, Sandia National Laboratories
Kenneth Diller Honorary Mechanical Engineer
BS Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University, 1966
MS Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University, 1967
ScD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1972
Leibrock Professor of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
Linn Draper Honorary Mechanical Engineer
BA Chemical Engineering, Rice University, 1964
BS Chemical Engineering, Rice University, 1965
PhD Nuclear Engineering, Cornell University, 1970
Chairman, President and CEO (Retired), American Electric Power Company, Inc.
Glenn Gilkey Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame
BS Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1980
Executive Vice President CHRO, HR & Administration, Fluor Corporation
Noboru Kikuchi Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame
BE Civil Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 1974
MS General Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1975
PhD Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, 1977
Professor Emertius, University of Michigan
President, Toyota Central R&D Labs, Inc.
Michael Reese Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame
BS Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1970
BS Industrial Design, Art Center College of Design, 1974
Founder and President (Retired), Reese Design
