Engineering Professor Receives National Honor

Byard D. Wood, professor and head of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at Utah State University, was elected Fellow of the American Solar Energy Society at its annual meeting held in Orlando, Fla., in August.

 

"Most technical professional societies reserve the rank of fellow for those members who have made significant and continual contributions to the profession and the society," said Wood. "Generally less than 3 percent of the members of any given society are fellows. This is an honor to be recognized by my professional peers. I am thrilled to be acknowledged in this manner."

 

While the honor of becoming a fellow is open to anyone who has been a member for at least 10 consecutive years, the individual must also meet a strict set of criteria to be considered. These criteria include being nominated by three members, one of whom must be a fellow. In addition, each of the nominators must provide a letter of support and each nominee will be screened by the Fellow Member Screening Committee, which then recommends potential fellows to the board for final approval.

 

"To be one of only 60 fellows of over 4,000 members is a great tribute," said Wood.

 

Wood joined Utah State in August 2003 bringing more than 30 years of experience with him. Prior to coming to Logan, Wood was professor and chair of mechanical engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. He was also a faculty member at Arizona State University and was the founding director of its Center for Energy Systems Research. Last year Wood received the 2004 Charles Greeley Abbot Award from the American Solar Energy Society, the highest award given to a member.

 

Wood hopes his national experience will prepare Utah State graduates for the rapidly advancing changes in technology in the global environment. He suggests that having more qualified professors will help prepare students for the real-world when graduation comes.

 

"Students will be better prepared for the real-word if they are mentored by individuals who maintain up-to-date technical skills, who bring first-hand professional experience into the classroom and who can provide a variety of research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students," said Wood. "This kind of faculty enhances the department and USU's reputation."