Academic Engineer of the Year

Current Recipient

2008 Academic Engineer of the Year, Robert D Holtz, PhD, P.E.Academic Engineer of Year Recipient

Professor Robert Holtz demonstrates the attributes one would expect from the Academic Engineer of the Year award winner. He has significantly advanced the state of the engineering art through his work in the field of soil-geosynthetic interaction. Since beginning his research in 1971 he has developed or co-developed apparatus, test procedures, analytical methods and analyses that have appreciably contributed to US highway construction and maintenance cost savings. His research sponsored by WSDOT on geotextile separators and geosynthetic-reinforced retaining walls led to a new design methodology for estimating reinforcement loads and will soon be incorporated into the AASHTO LRFD Specifications. The procedures from this body of work were used to design several reinforced walls in the recent SR 18 construction.

Professor Holtz co-authored (with W.D. Kovacs, 1981) An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, a widely used textbook in geotechnical engineering, which been described to be the “gold standard” for beginning textbooks in the field with more than 40 printings in four languages. He has given numerous lectures and short courses at universities, institutes and technical societies throughout the world, resulting in considerable formal recognition. He takes an active role in the many professional societies to which he belongs, holding highly responsible positions from treasurer to President, and chairing committees which continue to advance the state of the art in his chosen field.

Professor Holtz is the sort of educator we can all admire.

Criteria

  1. Has significantly advanced the state of the engineering art.
  2. Has actively participated in interposing new technologies in society.
  3. Has actively participated in improving the level and scope of engineering education.

Past Recipients

  • - Ann Mescher, Ph.D., U. of Washington
  • - Nirmala Ganapragasam, Ph.D PE, Seattle University
  • - Amanie N. Abdelmessih, Ph.D - Saint Martin's School of Engineering
  • - Jean M. Jacoby Ph.D - Seattle U.
  • - Richard Storch Ph.D PE - U. of Washington
  • - Charles W. Roeder Ph.D PE - U. of Washington
  • - John E. Schaufelberger Ph.D PE - U. of Wash.
  • - Richard C. Collet PE Ph.D - U. of Washington ret.
  • - R. T. Schwaegler Ph.D - Seattle University
  • - D. Scott Eberhardt Ph.D - University of Wash.
  • - Juris Vagners Ph.D - University of Washington
  • - Kelin J. Kuhn Ph.D - University of Washington
  • - Barry I. Hyman Ph.D - University of Washington
  • - Mamidala Ramulu Ph.D - University of Wash.
  • - Stephen B. Robel - Seattle University
  • - Jens E. Jorgenson Ph.D - University of Wash.
  • - Patricia Daniels Ph.D - Seattle University
  • - Ashley F. Emery Ph.D, PE - University of Wash.
  • - Rolf Thorsten Skrinde Ph.D, PE - Seattle U.
  • - Ilhan A Aksay - University of Washington
  • - Fr. Francis P. Wood - Seattle University
  • - Piere Gehlen - Seattle University
  • - Harry Majors Jr. - Seattle University
  • - Creighton Depew Ph.D PE - University of Washington
  • - Edward Wenk PE - University of Washington
  • - Albert Drui PE - The Richardson Associates