The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) has chosen Fairfield University Professor Evangelos Hadjimichael, Ph.D., to receive its 2014 Outstanding Teaching Award for New England. A Woodbridge, Conn., resident, Dr. Hadjimichael, founding dean of Fairfield University's School of Engineering, is now professor of Physics and Engineering at Fairfield.

In a letter to Dr. Hadjimichael, ASEE President Kenneth Galloway noted the honor was for his "distinguished accomplishments:" "The thorough review process enhances the high regard in which the award is held. Your many friends and colleagues in ASEE look forward to the pleasure of honoring you through the presentation of this award at the 2014 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition."

The presentation will be made at the ASEE national awards that will occur this June in Indianapolis.

Bruce Berdanier, Ph.D., professor and dean of Fairfield's School of Engineering, said: "Dr. Hadjimichael's contributions to Fairfield University and his longtime dedication to its students and campus community are remarkable. Among his many achievements has been fostering young peoples' passion to study engineering, while inspiring them to pursue careers in vital STEM-related industries."

Dr. Hadjimichael's accomplishments are considerable. He was instrumental in merging the Bridgeport Engineering Institute with Fairfield University, thus establishing the School of Engineering, for which he was the founding dean. During his 15-year tenure as dean he established academic alliances that continue to provide a seamless pathway for community college students into the School of Engineering, and he introduced numerous programmatic and curricular innovations, including an Assessment and Continuous Quality Improvement Process (ACQIP), which proved to be invaluable in the School gaining re-accreditation in 1999 and 2005 from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Further, he shepherded the establishment of a statewide nanotechnology minor linking the University with research institutions. More recently, the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering elected Dr. Hadjimichael to membership in its select organization, and the State Legislature appointed him to the Connecticut Planning Commission for Higher Education.

He has also been instrumental in establishing beneficial extra-curricular programs at the School of Engineering for area high school students, including the 'Excellence in Mathematics and Science Awards.' His long-term research in theoretical nuclear physics resulted in over 50 articles which appeared in prestigious American and international journals.

Posted On: 04-28-2014 03:04 PM

Volume: 46 Number: 286