Medals Awarded

2007 NATIONAL MEDAL OF SCIENCE AND NATIONAL MEDAL OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Two pioneering engineering educators were among eight recipients of the 2007 National Medal of Science, the nation's highest honor for science and engineering. Leonard Kleinrock of the computer department at the University of California, Los Angeles, was recognized for "fundamental contributions to the mathematical theory of modern data networks, including the functional specification of packet switching, which is the foundation of the Internet Technology." Andrew J. Viterbi, presidential chair of engineering at the University of Southern California, was recognized for "his development of the maximumlikelihood algorithm for convolution coding and for fundamental contributions to wireless technology."The National Medal of Science is awarded to individuals for pioneering scientific research and technologies "that give the United States its global economic edge."

Two chemical engineering professors from the University of Texas at Austin were among the six individuals honored as the 2007 National Medal of Technology and Innovation Laureates, the nation's highest award for technological achievement. Adam Heller, whose work enabled the creation of the painless glucose monitor for diabetics, was cited for "his contributions to electrochemistry and bioelectrochemistry, which led to the development of products that have improved the quality of life of millions, particularly in the area of human health and well-being." C. Grant Willson, who holds the Rashid Engineering Regents Chair at the Cockrell School of Engineering, and is an active ASEE member, was cited for "creating lithographic imaging materials and techniques that have enabled the manufacturing of smaller, faster and more efficient micro-electronic components."

Ben Streetman, dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering commended the two engineers for their "unprecedented consistency and creativity," 'and careers spent besting their own breakthroughs. "Their pioneering ability to link disciplines taught a new generation of researchers the value of reaching outside of their knowledge base to solve problems." He concluded, 'It has been a great privilege of my career to witness their simultaneous contribution to research, education and society."

2008 HAROLD W. MCGRAW JR. PRIZE IN EDUCATION

Richard Biais, vice president and cofounder of Project Lead the Way, was one of three recipients to be honored by the McGraw-Hill Companies with the 2008 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education. The prize consists of a $25,000 award and a bronze sculpture. Winners are recognized for their dedication to enhancing U.S. education. This year's recipients were noted for "[making] it their life's work to influence the future by preparing students today," as well as for their "commitment toward bridging gaps to higher education and breaking down barriers faced by too many of today's young students." As a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing high school students for university engineering education, PLTW has helped develop engineering curriculae in some 3,000 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.