David Whitman

Tau Beta Pi Wyoming Eminent Engineer

July 27. 2009 -A Cheyenne native, Dave received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering (1975) and a Ph.D. degree (1978) in mineral engineering, both from UW. He is the author or co-author of more than 60 professional publications in areas such as enhanced oil recovery, petroleum economics, and the use of microcomputers in teaching. His current research interests are oriented around educational issues in engineering. His honors include UW’s John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Teaching Award (1985), American Society for Engineering Education Dow Outstanding Young Faculty award (1987), UW College of Engineering Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award (1990 and 2001), UW Division of Student Affairs Outstanding External Contributor (1992-93), US West Excellence in Education Award (1994), ASEE Rocky Mountain Section Teaching Award (2001) and UW Center for Academic Advising Excellence in Advising awards (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2003). He was also selected for one of ten national Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Awards presented by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience (2000).

Dave has held several positions at UW including Professor of Petroleum Engineering, Associate Dean of Academics and, currently, Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is an advisor for the UW Enrichment Fund for Engineering, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and the UW Mortar Board Chapter which was recently awarded the Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award, the highest possible honor given in chapter achievement. He is the director for Region 22 of the Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society which covers UW, Colorado College, University of Colorado, Colorado State University, The University of Denver, The University of Northern Colorado, University of Utah, and Utah State University.

In 2001, Dave was appointed by the Governor of Wyoming to serve on the Wyoming Board of Registration for Engineering and Surveying. He currently serves as the President of that organization. In addition, he is currently the President-Elect for the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES), after having served two years as the Western Zone Vice-President. In August 2009, he will be installed as the NCEES President. He has worked on the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Committee for NCEES since 2001.

Previous Award Winners
Tau Beta Pi Wyoming Eminent Engineer
1956 Earl Lloyd 1982 J. Kenneth Kennedy
1957 Joseph Yant 1983 Wayne Johnson
1958 Max Hangartner 1984 Walter Pilch
1959 Ross Stapp 1985 Joseph Bailey
1960 Ray Brambly 1986 Albert Nelson
1961 G. R. MacDougall 1987 Forrest Kepler, Jr.
1962 Joe Banner 1988 William Grenier
1963 Jack Woolrich 1989 Charles Wilson
1964 R. Jack Smith 1990 Frank Trelease
1965 Lloyd Taggart 1991 John Bellamy
1966 Robert Sensintaffer 1992 Pete Jorgensen
1967 Homer Scott 1993 Paul Rechard
1968 Emerick Huber 1994 Dan Glandt
1969 John Smith 1995 Glenn B. Mullens
1970 Howard Arnett 1996 Sam D. Hakes
1971 William Ainsley 1997 William A. Clevenger
1972 Kent W. McDaniel 1998 Donald G. Diller
1973 Hugh Binford 1999 Gordon W. “Jeff” Fassett
1974 Robert Olsen 2000 Victor E. Anderson
1975 (no award given) 2001 Doyl M. Fritz
1976 Russell Donley 2002 Donald J. Livingston
1977 Robert Schultz 2003 Michael K. Purcell
1978 Floyd Bishop 2004 Richard C. Moore
1979 Wilford J. Westre 2005 Gary Kloefkorn
1980 Leno Menghini 2006 Eugene M. Wilson
1981 George Christopulos 2007 Henry Therkildsen
2008 Ray Jacquot