The memory of a safety engineering education pioneer has been preserved with an endowed engineering scholarship at Texas A&M University by lead donor Michael (Mike) Sawyer.

The Dr. Ralph J. Vernon ’51 Scholarship rewards engineering students who earn a 3.0 grade point ratio, pursue a process safety specialty and demonstrate financial need. Contributions can still be made to the permanent scholarship, funded through an initial $25,000 endowment in 2006 at the Texas A&M Foundation.

“Process safety is now an integral part of chemical engineering education, and the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at A&M is widely recognized as a world leader in chemical process safety research and education. Through the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, our department produces highly sought students in process safety, and this scholarship ensures we retain the best and brightest in safety engineering,” said Dr. Michael V. Pishko, department head and holder of the Charles D. Holland ’53 Professorship.

“Dr. Vernon’s impact did not stop upon my graduation. He maintained contact and continued nurturing my career for many years after A&M, and I, as well as many former students, owe my success largely to him,” said Mike Sawyer, who provided the lead gift. A Class of 1983 safety engineering graduate of Texas A&M, he is president of Apex Safety Consultants, ASC Inc., a speciality process safety consulting firm.

Born in Greenville, S.C., Vernon earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial education from Clemson University and then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He obtained a master’s degree in education from Texas A&M and completed his Ph.D. in preventive medicine and environmental health at the University of Iowa.

Vernon began his career as a safety engineer for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. in 1953. He joined the Texas A&M faculty in 1966 and pioneered safety engineering and industrial hygiene degrees within the engineering college. He became a full professor in 1971 and retired as professor emeritus of industrial engineering in 1986.

Vernon’s teaching awards included the General Dynamics Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching from Texas A&M, Educator of the Year Award from the International Safety Society and the Service Award from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.

He was a member of Sigma Xi, an international honor society for scientific and engineering research. He was a leader in his field, serving as president of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and the American Academy of Industrial Hygiene.

Upon retiring from teaching, Vernon served as president and chief executive officer of Biotechnics Inc. until 1990. He resided in College Station and attended First Baptist Church until his death in 2000.

Contributions to the Dr. Ralph J. Vernon ’51 Scholarship in Engineering can be mailed to the Texas A&M Foundation, Engineering Development Office, 3126 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-3126 with the words “Vernon Scholarship” on the notation line.

Written by Emily Whitmoyer

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