Introducing the inaugural Engineering Excellence Initiative recipients

Have you ever wondered what those distinguished titles following a faculty member’s name mean? They are far more than honorary distinctions — they represent a significant investment in academic excellence, student success and impactful research.

One of the most impactful ways to support faculty — and, by extension, students — is often through establishing an endowed faculty fund, such as a chair, professorship, or fellowship. These funds provide long-term, stable support by generating annual income from the original gift. These resources often fund undergraduate or graduate research positions and real-world projects, giving students access to experiences that set them apart in their field. However, building an endowment takes time. Sometimes, students and faculty have more immediate needs.

To address these pressing needs, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering Dr. Robert Bishop established the Engineering Excellence Initiative — a new approach to faculty funding. Rather than waiting for endowed funds to grow, these non-endowed gifts provide an immediate injection of flexible support to outstanding faculty for three years. This allows professors to create new hands-on opportunities for students right away.

The Engineering Excellence Initiative allows donors to provide timely support for faculty committed to student engagement and innovation. With each award, professors are empowered to involve more students in groundbreaking research, launch new project-based learning in their classrooms and mentor the next generation of engineers. Immediate funding means professors can invite undergraduates and graduate students into their laboratories, provide internships, and develop initiatives that give students valuable experience and career insight.

Faculty members selected for the Engineering Excellence Initiative are recognized for their dedication to advancing research, fostering collaboration, and enhancing student opportunities. These educators will use the award to directly involve Aggie engineers in challenging, cutting-edge work — empowering students to innovate, explore and apply classroom knowledge in real-life settings.

"The Engineering Excellence Initiative Awards offer discretionary funding to world-renowned professors who inspire undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students to innovate, explore, and conduct groundbreaking research,” Bishop said. “These awards allow our faculty to offer new experiences that students simply wouldn’t have otherwise."

These awards also help Texas A&M recruit and retain top educators passionate about student growth. Faculty use this support to fund research projects, internships, conferences and hands-on learning that students benefit from directly. 

Supporting faculty strengthens the fabric that makes Texas A&M a leader in engineering innovation and practice, giving students an atmosphere in which to succeed. These awards don’t just recognize the hard work of our faculty; they pave the way for opportunities and success for every Aggie engineer.

The College of Engineering thanks and recognizes those who support our faculty and, in doing so, help shape the next generation of innovative Aggie engineers. Each contribution ensures student opportunities, success, and growth remain at the heart of the college’s mission.

• Margaret G. ’85 and Graham W. Bacon ’85
• William ’86 and Sharon Bullock ’86
• David Dunlap ’83
• Bettye and Darryl Heath ’84
• George Hickox, Jr. ’80
• Stephen Horn ’79
• Janeen Judah '81
• Rita and Mark Puckett ’73
• James D. Slaughter ’96 Family

• Dr. Don Lipkin 

• Dr. Tianbao Yang

• Dr. Faruque Hasan

• Dr. Diego Donzis 

• Dr. Pablo Tarrazaga 

• Dr. Mathew Kuttolamadom

• Dr. Taylor Ware 

• Dr. Pavel Tsvetkov