|
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology English Professor Julia Williams has
received the Sterling Olmsted Award from the American Society of
Engineering Education for distinguished contributions to the development
and teaching of liberal arts in engineering education.
 |
|
Recognized For Contributions: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Professor Julia Williams (middle) received the Sterling Olmsted Award from
ASEE Liberal Arts Division Chair-Elect Donna Riley and Current Chair Gary
Downey during this year’s ASEE Annual Meeting. |
The award is the highest award given by the Liberal Education Division
of the ASEE. It was presented at the education group’s annual meeting in
Louisville, Ky.
“Dr. Williams has made numerous contributions to the development and
teaching of liberal arts in engineering education,” noted Donna Riley,
nominating chair for the Liberal Division awards program.
Williams, who also serves as executive director of Rose-Hulman’s Office
of Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment (IRPA), served as
program chair for the Liberal Education Division at the 2003 ASEE
conference and division chair in 2004-2005.
Shortly after joining the Rose-Hulman faculty in 1994, Williams
established the college’s technical communication program, which
integrated communication tasks across the engineering curriculum. She
also developed an established course in technical communication, which
is required of all majors in engineering and many of the sciences.
Reflecting the strength of this initiative and the support of faculty
across disciplines, Williams collaborates with many colleagues in
engineering, math and science on communication integration projects.
William also played an instrumental role in development of the RosE
Portfolio in 1998, and later the RosEvaluation tool, launched in 2008.
These processes collect evidence of student achievement of institute
learning outcomes for the purpose of continuous improvement and
accreditation needs. These tools are also important for reinforcing the
integration of liberal arts throughout the engineering education
process, and for encouraging student reflection on the goals of their
own education.
With IRPA, Williams has continued her advocacy for embedding liberal
arts across engineering education at Rose-Hulman and throughout academe.
She has helped IRPA organize annual Best Assessment Practices
conferences that bring to Rose-Hulman leading authorities on assessing
student education experiences.
Williams' distinguished scholarship and service has had her publications
on technical communication and engineering education featured in many
journals. She currently serves as associate editor for educational
tutorials in the IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication,
associate editor for the journal Engineering Studies, and education
chair for the IEEE Professional Communication Society. IEEE is the
world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing
technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.
Earlier this year, Williams helped IRPA be a finalist for TechPoint’s
Mira Award, honoring Indiana’s technology innovators. She has been named
an honorary alumnus by the Rose-Hulman Alumni Association, received the
Outstanding Scholarship Award from the Department of Humanities and
Social Sciences (HSS) and earned the Teacher of the Year Award from the
Triangle fraternity.
Williams becomes the third Rose-Hulman faculty member to receive the
Olmsted Award. Heinz Luegenbiehl, professor of philosophy and technology
studies, was recognized by ASEE in 1998, and Caroline Carvill, professor
of American literature, was honored in 2007.
|
