The engineering and computer science professors were honored at the Engineers' Council 50th Anniversary National Engineers Week Honors and Awards Banquet held last month.

"(The awards) are a distinct honor," said Ken Futernick, director of communications for SFVEC. "Recipients are people who excel in their field. They are people whose mentors feel they are deserving of the recognition."

The award recipients are as follows:

• Computer science professor John Motil received the Distinguished Engineering Achievement Award for displaying outstanding professional qualities. Motil's excellent reputation for engineering education and leadership has been sustained throughout his career.
• Manufacturing system engineering professor Ahmad Sarfaraz and Computer science professor Jeffrey Wiegley received the Outstanding Engineering Achievement Merit Award based upon their significant accomplishments in engineering education within the last year.
• Mechanical engineering professor Robert Ryan was honored with the Engineering Educator of the Year Award for his outstanding professional qualities and top reputation for engineering education and leadership. His contributions to students' extracurricular engineering activities and scientific achievements in industry applications were considered in the awards process.

"It's wonderful to have one's faculty recognized," said Bonita Campbell, chair of the Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management Department. "We have a lot of excellent things going on that we don't have the time or inclination to bring to anyone's attention.

These awards reinforce the community relationship," she said. "For the university, it helps build the institution's profile in terms of excellence and links with the community."