Thom Edgar Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Region 7 presented its 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award to Thom Edgar, a professor in the University of Wyoming Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering.

Edgar, UW ASCE adviser for 29 years, was cited for his commitment to student welfare, education and to engineering in the state of Wyoming.

“Each of these commitments has been constant over nearly three decades and recognized over the years,” according to his nomination. “His ASCE Outstanding Faculty Adviser awards (2009 and 2013) reflect his commitment to student welfare; his Ellbogen Teaching Award (UW’s highest award for teaching) reflects his commitment to education; and his Wyoming Engineering Society (WES) Outstanding Engineer Award reflects his commitment to Wyoming engineers. This focus on students, education and the engineering community is a legacy that will continue to have impact in the decades to come.”

He received the ASCE Zone 111 Faculty Adviser Certificate of Commendation three times. Supervised by Edgar, the UW ASCE student chapter also has won many awards, including four Certificates of Commendation plus two letters of honorable mention. The UW chapter qualified for the national steel bridge competition five times, and Edgar has hosted four ASCE student conferences.

Edgar has worked closely with and advised the section officers for 25 years. When continuing education became required for professional registration in Wyoming, he helped initiate and coordinated the ASCE/Wyoming Engineering Society short courses for many years starting in 1995. Proceeds from these workshops have become scholarships for the student chapter officers and provide ASCE student chapter support. Edgar also served as WES president.

Additionally, he has been part of more than 20 research projects, and has 10 refereed publications and dozens of other publications. Other career highlights include:

-- His service to Engineers Without Borders led to a primary school in Mbita, Kenya, being named after him.

-- Honorary member of WES.

-- Mortar Board Top Prof four times.

-- UW Freshmen Outstanding Professor.

-- Service on many national, state and UW committees.

-- Instructing numerous short courses for engineers statewide.