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Frederick J. Berger Award

Nomination Open: 10/31/2023

Nomination Deadline: 02/14/2025

Dr. Frederick J. Berger has been acclaimed for his many noteworthy contributions to engineering technology education, including his many years of service at City University of New York and as the long-time Executive Director and sponsor of Tau Alpha Pi. Tau Alpha Pi is the professional honor society for engineering technology that was founded in 1953 by Jesse DeFore at the Southern Technical Institute (now Kennesaw State University) in Marietta, Georgia. From the 1960's to the 1990's, Dr. Berger oversaw the dramatic growth of Tau Alpha Pi into a viable national honor society. The purpose of the Frederick J. Berger Award is to recognize and encourage both programmatic and individual excellence in engineering technology education. It is presented to both the primary implementing individual and to the engineering technology school or department that have demonstrated leadership in curriculum, scholarly contributions, innovative techniques or administration in engineering technology education. The award jointly recognizes the individual and the activity, the individual and the program, the individual and the department or the individual and the school. Established in 1990 by Dr. Frederick J. Berger, the award to the individual consists of a $500 honorarium and a bronze medallion, with representations of Professor Berger and of the Tau Alpha Pi logo inscribed. The academic department recognized receives a $500 honorarium and an inscribed plaque.  

An individual must have made a significant impact on a qualifying engineering technology school or program by implementing one or more of the following criteria: Exemplary and discernible contributions to engineering technology education and to the advancement of the professional status of engineering technology students. Outstanding curricular development, evidence of superior subject matter competence by students, course development and updating and academic student advisement. Scholarly contributions including improvement of engineering technology education through authoring textbooks, syllabi and computer applications; active membership in professional societies and participation in professional development activities. Innovative techniques involving excellence in teaching and the ability to guide students to scholastic achievement, character growth and leadership potential. Innovative techniques involving laboratory updating, equipment acquisition and utilization, teaching models and aids as well as the integration of lab exercises with lecture presentations. Administrative support for course development; placement assistance; acquiring quality buildings and facilities; linking with industry and selecting, retaining and developing outstanding faculty. A qualifying institution must be an ASEE technical college member, and must have at least one associate or baccalaureate level program accredited by TAC/ABET. A qualifying department must be housed within a qualifying institution. The institution must also have an active Tau Alpha Pi chapter on campus. Nominations should be made by an engineering technology school or department in fulfillment of the qualifying criteria. Because it is the intent of the award to recognize the implementing individual, as well as the qualifying activities, a curriculum vita (maximum of two pages) for the person most associated with the activity must be included in the nomination packet. The nomination is to be signed by the dean (or the top administrator supervising the engineering technology program) indicating that they also will financially support the attendance of the recipient at the Engineering Technology Award Dinner and the ASEE Annual Awards banquet. The nomination shall be submitted online at the ASEE National Award Nominations and shall not exceed six pages excluding the vita.

No individual or department shall receive the award more than once, and no institution shall receive two awards within any five year period. An individual or department may be renominated. A nomination may be reactivated for up to two additional years after the initial submission upon written request from the appropriate official of the institution in which the department is housed or where the nominee was employed during the activities recognized by the award.

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Frederick J. Berger Award

Nomination Open: 10/31/2023

Nomination Deadline: 02/14/2025

2025 winner:

Dr. Fidan currently serves as Professor in the Department of Manufacturing and Engineering Technology at Tennessee Technological University, where he also holds the distinguished position of College of Engineering-Faculty Fellow in Innovation and Techno-Entrepreneurship. In this dual role, he bridges cutting-edge research with practical innovation, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among the next generation of engineers and technologists.

His comprehensive research portfolio spans multiple critical areas of modern manufacturing and education. In additive manufacturing, Dr. Fidan investigates advanced materials, process optimization, and novel applications that are reshaping how we conceptualize design and production. His work in electronics manufacturing addresses the evolving challenges of miniaturization, reliability, and sustainable production methods in an increasingly connected world. Recognizing the transformative impact of technology on education, he has pioneered innovative approaches to distance learning, developing methodologies that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes in remote and hybrid educational environments. His commitment to STEM education extends beyond traditional boundaries, as he works to create inclusive, accessible pathways for diverse learners to enter and succeed in technical fields.

Dr. Fidan's scholarly contributions are recognized internationally through his editorial leadership roles. As Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology, he helps shape the discourse in electronics manufacturing and packaging technologies. His editorial work with the International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing positions him at the forefront of additive manufacturing research dissemination. Additionally, his role as associate author of the prestigious Wohlers Reports—the industry's definitive annual analysis of additive manufacturing trends, technologies, and market developments—underscores his expertise and influence in the field.

Dr. Frederick J. Berger has been acclaimed for his many noteworthy contributions to engineering technology education, including his many years of service at City University of New York and as the long-time Executive Director and sponsor of Tau Alpha Pi. Tau Alpha Pi is the professional honor society for engineering technology that was founded in 1953 by Jesse DeFore at the Southern Technical Institute (now Kennesaw State University) in Marietta, Georgia. From the 1960's to the 1990's, Dr. Berger oversaw the dramatic growth of Tau Alpha Pi into a viable national honor society. The purpose of the Frederick J. Berger Award is to recognize and encourage both programmatic and individual excellence in engineering technology education. It is presented to both the primary implementing individual and to the engineering technology school or department that have demonstrated leadership in curriculum, scholarly contributions, innovative techniques or administration in engineering technology education. The award jointly recognizes the individual and the activity, the individual and the program, the individual and the department or the individual and the school. Established in 1990 by Dr. Frederick J. Berger, the award to the individual consists of a $500 honorarium and a bronze medallion, with representations of Professor Berger and of the Tau Alpha Pi logo inscribed. The academic department recognized receives a $500 honorarium and an inscribed plaque.  

An individual must have made a significant impact on a qualifying engineering technology school or program by implementing one or more of the following criteria: Exemplary and discernible contributions to engineering technology education and to the advancement of the professional status of engineering technology students. Outstanding curricular development, evidence of superior subject matter competence by students, course development and updating and academic student advisement. Scholarly contributions including improvement of engineering technology education through authoring textbooks, syllabi and computer applications; active membership in professional societies and participation in professional development activities. Innovative techniques involving excellence in teaching and the ability to guide students to scholastic achievement, character growth and leadership potential. Innovative techniques involving laboratory updating, equipment acquisition and utilization, teaching models and aids as well as the integration of lab exercises with lecture presentations. Administrative support for course development; placement assistance; acquiring quality buildings and facilities; linking with industry and selecting, retaining and developing outstanding faculty. A qualifying institution must be an ASEE technical college member, and must have at least one associate or baccalaureate level program accredited by TAC/ABET. A qualifying department must be housed within a qualifying institution. The institution must also have an active Tau Alpha Pi chapter on campus. Nominations should be made by an engineering technology school or department in fulfillment of the qualifying criteria. Because it is the intent of the award to recognize the implementing individual, as well as the qualifying activities, a curriculum vita (maximum of two pages) for the person most associated with the activity must be included in the nomination packet. The nomination is to be signed by the dean (or the top administrator supervising the engineering technology program) indicating that they also will financially support the attendance of the recipient at the Engineering Technology Award Dinner and the ASEE Annual Awards banquet. The nomination shall be submitted online at the ASEE National Award Nominations and shall not exceed six pages excluding the vita.

No individual or department shall receive the award more than once, and no institution shall receive two awards within any five year period. An individual or department may be renominated. A nomination may be reactivated for up to two additional years after the initial submission upon written request from the appropriate official of the institution in which the department is housed or where the nominee was employed during the activities recognized by the award.

Showing 1 - 10 of 33 results

Year Winner Name
2023 No Winner
2022 Alok K. Verma
2021 Robert Weissbach
2020 Michael D. Johnson
2019 Keith V. Johnson
2018 Gray D. Steffen
2017 Not Presented
2016 Niaz Latif
2015 Scott Dunning
2014 Jay R Porter

Frederick J. Berger Award

2025 winner:

Ismail Fidan

Dr. Fidan currently serves as Professor in the Department of Manufacturing and Engineering Technology at Tennessee Technological University, where he also holds the distinguished position of College of Engineering-Faculty Fellow in Innovation and Techno-Entrepreneurship. In this dual role, he bridges cutting-edge research with practical innovation, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among the next generation of engineers and technologists.

His comprehensive research portfolio spans multiple critical areas of modern manufacturing and education. In additive manufacturing, Dr. Fidan investigates advanced materials, process optimization, and novel applications that are reshaping how we conceptualize design and production. His work in electronics manufacturing addresses the evolving challenges of miniaturization, reliability, and sustainable production methods in an increasingly connected world. Recognizing the transformative impact of technology on education, he has pioneered innovative approaches to distance learning, developing methodologies that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes in remote and hybrid educational environments. His commitment to STEM education extends beyond traditional boundaries, as he works to create inclusive, accessible pathways for diverse learners to enter and succeed in technical fields.

Dr. Fidan's scholarly contributions are recognized internationally through his editorial leadership roles. As Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology, he helps shape the discourse in electronics manufacturing and packaging technologies. His editorial work with the International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing positions him at the forefront of additive manufacturing research dissemination. Additionally, his role as associate author of the prestigious Wohlers Reports—the industry's definitive annual analysis of additive manufacturing trends, technologies, and market developments—underscores his expertise and influence in the field.

Past Winners

Showing 1 - 10 of 33 results
Year Winner Name
2023 No Winner
2022 Alok K. Verma
2021 Robert Weissbach
2020 Michael D. Johnson
2019 Keith V. Johnson
2018 Gray D. Steffen
2017 Not Presented
2016 Niaz Latif
2015 Scott Dunning
2014 Jay R Porter