Summer 2000

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Professor Jim McKinney, a 20-year member of the faculty, has been honored as the first Roland Hutchins Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering at Rose-Hulman. The endowed faculty chair was established by a $2 million gift from Charles and Marjorie Hutchins formerly of Terre Haute. The gift honors Charles’ father, Roland, who taught civil engineering at Rose-Hulman from 1924 until 1956.

McKinney was named civil engineering department head in 1982. He teaches courses in surveying, civil engineering materials, cost engineering, construction planning, and engineering economy.

"Civil engineering has had a rich history for more than 100 years at Rose-Hulman. This honor is a vote of confidence for the department," McKinney stated. He said endowment support will be used to develop new courses in the area of transportation.

President Samuel Hulbert said McKinney is a gifted teacher, mentor and role model for students and faculty. "Jim cares a great deal about each student’s educational needs and works very hard to help civil engineering majors successfully begin their careers. He is very deserving of this honor."

Indiana Governor Evan Bayh honored McKinney in 1989 as a Sagamore of the Wabash for his work as a member of a review team that evaluated the efficiency of the state’s transportation department.

McKinney has coordinated the Indiana Asphalt Pavement Quality Assurance Certificate Program for the past 14 years at Rose-Hulman.

He has also served as president of the Indiana Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.