OU Engineers Earn High Honors for Contributions to Higher Ed

-

The Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society recognized longtime engineering professors Daniel Resasco and David Sabatini at the Oklahoma History Center on Nov. 2.

The University of Oklahoma educators were among 11 who were inducted as part of the 2020 Hall of Fame Class that recognizes outstanding service to Oklahoma higher education. Since 1994 almost 300 educators, administrators and others who have made distinguished contributions to higher education have been included.

“Dr. Resasco and Dr. Sabatini have both accomplished amazing things in their careers and have used and will continue to use this success to create opportunities for our students. Their dedication to student success and commitment to innovative research in the field of engineering are well known throughout the industry and it is a pleasure to see these two faculty members formally recognized by the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society,” said John Klier, dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering.  

Resasco (top right in photo), a professor in the School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, joined the OU faculty in 1993 and holds the inaugural Gallogly Chair of Engineering. He specializes in the study of catalysts and nanomaterials for commercial and industrial applications. He is the author of more than 300 publications, holds more than 40 industrial patents, and has received approximately 27,000 citations in scientific literature. Most recently, he received the Excellence in Catalysis Award by the Catalysis Society of Metropolitan New York, a prestigious regional regional organizations with an awardee pool in national scope. 

Sabatini (top left) was promoted to full professor in the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science in 1999 and was named the Sun Oil Company Endowed Chair. In 2005, he received one of OU's highest honors, David Ross Boyd Professor. His research focuses on physio-chemical processes for water and wastewater treatment. In 2005, he co-founded and served as the OU’s WaTER Center’s first director, which has gained global recognition. He is a recipient of the Water Environment Federation Pioneer Award for Disinfection for his pioneering research in removing fluoride from drinking waters in developing countries. 

To learn more about the Gallogly College of Engineering at OU, visit ou.edu/coe.





Popular posts from this blog

OU Engineering Students Shine in Community Projects

-
Image
At the University of Oklahoma, a transformative course called Pathways to Engineering Thinking is leaving a mark on OU students and the community. In the first-year engineering course, over 800 students across 16 sections collaborated to tackle real-world challenges presented by community partners. Their projects ranged from developing prosthetic limbs for injured animals to creating innovative solutions for community gardens and zoos. The course aims to guide students through the engineering design process, emphasizing collaborative teamwork and problem-solving skills.  This semester’s projects reached many areas of the community. Partnerships with the OU Food Pantry, OU Community Garden, Oklahoma City Zoo, OU Engineering K-12 Outreach, a local dog rescue and the City of Norman provided students with real-world challenges to address. Each team delved into issues presented by the partners, working toward delivering functional design solutions by the semester’s end. The heart of the cou
Read more

OU Students Take on Habitat Challenge: Sooners Without Borders Constructs Ramp, More in Iowa

-
Image
In early January, six students from Sooners Without Borders at the University of Oklahoma headed to Des Moines, Iowa, teaming up with Habitat for Humanity. Their goal: construct an accessibility ramp for a local family. Their mission was part of Habitat’s Collegiate Challenge program, providing year-round volunteer opportunities for college students. The students, all from the Gallogly College of Engineering at OU, embraced the challenge. Formerly Engineers Without Borders, Sooners Without Borders had changed its name to be more inclusive of all majors at OU, says Lisa Morales, the group's staff adviser. “A lot of projects used to focus on clean water and students had the opportunity to travel abroad. Once Covid happened, we had to shift the focus of Sooner Without Borders,” Morales said.  In Des Moines, the project expanded beyond the ramp, involving tasks like installing kitchen cabinets and flooring for a new home. Morales says she was impressed with the student’s adeptness with
Read more

OU Engineering Welcomes 14 New Faculty Members for 2023-24

-
Image
OU Engineering has welcomed 14 new faculty members for the 2023-24 academic year. This marks a milestone in the college's growth journey, with faculty numbers increasing from just over 100 in 2017 to 175 in 2023. OU Engineering is committed to expanding its faculty ranks, aiming for over 200 faculty members by the 2025-26 academic year, says OU Engineering Dean John Klier. To achieve this goal, the college has initiated more than 20 faculty searches. The State of Oklahoma continues to acknowledge the need for more engineers. They recently responded to OU Engineering’s request for additional recurring funding. The funding will play a crucial role in offering undergraduate student tuition waivers, supporting graduate students and helping recruit new faculty and staff. These positions will be phased in over the next three years. "OU Engineering extends its gratitude for the ongoing support from the State of Oklahoma as it continues to address the growing demand for engineers,&quo
Read more