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Robert G. Quinn Award

Nomination Open: 10/31/2024

Nomination Deadline: 02/14/2025

Robert G. Quinn was the archetype of that one teacher who made a difference in a student's life. As a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Drexel University, he had a gift and a passion for teaching. His colleagues and students described him as a "human hurricane," an outstanding educator, and a "professor's professor." He was an engaging, colorful, larger-than-life lecturer, who was equally at home solving Maxwell's equations or quoting Emily Dickinson, and who encouraged his students to learn on their own. His accomplishments in establishing a highly successful and innovative engineering curriculum at Drexel University are legendary. He was one of several people instrumental in the re-invention of U.S. engineering education. Quinn served on the National Advisory Panel for the Space Shuttle, a consultant to NASA's manned space missions and an advisor to other government agencies, business and industry. His research at Drexel focused on undergraduate curriculum development, where he directed a major educational experiment funded by the National Science Foundation known as E4 or "An Enhanced Educational Experience for Engineers." This highly successful program evolved into the Drexel Engineering Curriculum, and many of its key features were emulated internationally in dozens of universities. This award was established by Agilent Technologies, in proud memory of Robert G. Quinn and his contribution to thousands of engineering students and his direct influence on the Agilent Higher Education program. The award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in providing and promoting excellence in experimentation and laboratory instruction, consists of a $5,000 honorarium, a medal, and an inscribed plaque.

 

Eligibility: Candidates must have demonstrated leadership in engineering or engineering technology education, developing a program that exhibits innovation, relevance to the real world, experiential learning and student motivation. Qualifications: Award nominees must be faculty members of ASEE who have made outstanding, sustained contributions to the teaching of laboratory or experimentation courses in engineering or engineering technology and who: 1. Have motivated and inspired students toward excellence in their laboratory work. 2. Have also been innovators in the development of laboratory courses, course materials, facilities or equipment that have enriched students laboratory or experimentation experience. 3. Have encouraged a multi-disciplined, practical curricular approach, with the aim of developing the complete engineer. Nomination: Follow the general nomination instructions. Members of the award selection committee are ineligible for nomination. The award can be received only once by any active or retired faculty member.

The nomination form can be found in the link below (note that only ASEE members can submit award nominations) 
NOMINATION FORM

Nominations are automatically transferred over for the next award cycle. If not selected, nominations can be re-submitted after one award cycle.

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Robert G. Quinn Award

Nomination Open: 10/31/2024

Nomination Deadline: 02/14/2025

2025 winner:

Dr. Yiannis Angelo Levendis is Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Laboratory of Combustion and Air Pollution at Northeastern University. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Science from Caltech (1988), an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan (1982), and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Cum Laude, from the University of Michigan (1981).

With over 30 years at Northeastern University, Dr. Levendis has established himself as a leading researcher in combustion science, clean energy, and environmental engineering. His research expertise spans additive manufacturing, combustion of solid fuels, air pollution control, waste-to-energy conversion, and carbon nanomaterial synthesis. He has secured over 30 major research grants totaling millions in funding from NSF, DOE, EPA, and industry partners.

Dr. Levendis has authored more than 180 peer-reviewed journal publications and holds 15 patents. His scholarly contributions include groundbreaking work on coal combustion in oxy-fuel environments, carbon nanotube synthesis from waste materials, and cryogenic fire suppression techniques. He has received numerous prestigious awards including the Ralph Coats Roe Award from ASEE (2021), the George Westinghouse Gold Medal from ASME (2013), and Fellowship in multiple professional societies including the National Academy of Inventors, Royal Academy of Chemistry, and Combustion Institute.

Beyond research, Dr. Levendis has made significant contributions to engineering education, developing innovative K-12 STEM outreach programs and serving on numerous editorial boards and professional committees. His work bridges fundamental research with practical applications, advancing both scientific knowledge and engineering education.

Robert G. Quinn was the archetype of that one teacher who made a difference in a student's life. As a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Drexel University, he had a gift and a passion for teaching. His colleagues and students described him as a "human hurricane," an outstanding educator, and a "professor's professor." He was an engaging, colorful, larger-than-life lecturer, who was equally at home solving Maxwell's equations or quoting Emily Dickinson, and who encouraged his students to learn on their own. His accomplishments in establishing a highly successful and innovative engineering curriculum at Drexel University are legendary. He was one of several people instrumental in the re-invention of U.S. engineering education. Quinn served on the National Advisory Panel for the Space Shuttle, a consultant to NASA's manned space missions and an advisor to other government agencies, business and industry. His research at Drexel focused on undergraduate curriculum development, where he directed a major educational experiment funded by the National Science Foundation known as E4 or "An Enhanced Educational Experience for Engineers." This highly successful program evolved into the Drexel Engineering Curriculum, and many of its key features were emulated internationally in dozens of universities. This award was established by Agilent Technologies, in proud memory of Robert G. Quinn and his contribution to thousands of engineering students and his direct influence on the Agilent Higher Education program. The award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in providing and promoting excellence in experimentation and laboratory instruction, consists of a $5,000 honorarium, a medal, and an inscribed plaque.

 

Eligibility: Candidates must have demonstrated leadership in engineering or engineering technology education, developing a program that exhibits innovation, relevance to the real world, experiential learning and student motivation. Qualifications: Award nominees must be faculty members of ASEE who have made outstanding, sustained contributions to the teaching of laboratory or experimentation courses in engineering or engineering technology and who: 1. Have motivated and inspired students toward excellence in their laboratory work. 2. Have also been innovators in the development of laboratory courses, course materials, facilities or equipment that have enriched students laboratory or experimentation experience. 3. Have encouraged a multi-disciplined, practical curricular approach, with the aim of developing the complete engineer. Nomination: Follow the general nomination instructions. Members of the award selection committee are ineligible for nomination. The award can be received only once by any active or retired faculty member.

The nomination form can be found in the link below (note that only ASEE members can submit award nominations) 
NOMINATION FORM

Nominations are automatically transferred over for the next award cycle. If not selected, nominations can be re-submitted after one award cycle.

Showing 1 - 10 of 13 results

Year Winner Name
2020 Anthony Butterfield
2019 Daniel B. Oerther
2015 Larry Cartwright
2014 Surendra K. Gupta
2012 Thomas F. Schubert
2011 Ahmed Rubaai
2009 Jay R Porter
2007 Ann Saterbak
2006 Stephanie Farrell
2004 Ifeanyi C Ume

Robert G. Quinn Award

2025 winner:

Yiannis Levendis

Dr. Yiannis Angelo Levendis is Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Laboratory of Combustion and Air Pollution at Northeastern University. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Science from Caltech (1988), an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan (1982), and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Cum Laude, from the University of Michigan (1981).

With over 30 years at Northeastern University, Dr. Levendis has established himself as a leading researcher in combustion science, clean energy, and environmental engineering. His research expertise spans additive manufacturing, combustion of solid fuels, air pollution control, waste-to-energy conversion, and carbon nanomaterial synthesis. He has secured over 30 major research grants totaling millions in funding from NSF, DOE, EPA, and industry partners.

Dr. Levendis has authored more than 180 peer-reviewed journal publications and holds 15 patents. His scholarly contributions include groundbreaking work on coal combustion in oxy-fuel environments, carbon nanotube synthesis from waste materials, and cryogenic fire suppression techniques. He has received numerous prestigious awards including the Ralph Coats Roe Award from ASEE (2021), the George Westinghouse Gold Medal from ASME (2013), and Fellowship in multiple professional societies including the National Academy of Inventors, Royal Academy of Chemistry, and Combustion Institute.

Beyond research, Dr. Levendis has made significant contributions to engineering education, developing innovative K-12 STEM outreach programs and serving on numerous editorial boards and professional committees. His work bridges fundamental research with practical applications, advancing both scientific knowledge and engineering education.

Past Winners

Showing 1 - 10 of 13 results
Year Winner Name
2020 Anthony Butterfield
2019 Daniel B. Oerther
2015 Larry Cartwright
2014 Surendra K. Gupta
2012 Thomas F. Schubert
2011 Ahmed Rubaai
2009 Jay R Porter
2007 Ann Saterbak
2006 Stephanie Farrell
2004 Ifeanyi C Ume