Contact: Phil Hearn
ROOSEVELT AWARD--Mississippi State engineering dean A. Wayne Bennett (l) accepts the 2004 Teddy Roosevelt Award from Charles Williford, president of the American Council of Engineering Companies/Mississippi during a recent banquet in Jackson. The award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to the engineering profession.
Mississippi State's retiring dean of engineering is receiving a prestigious award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the profession.
A. Wayne Bennett, leader of the university's Bagley College of Engineering since 1996, recently accepted the Teddy Roosevelt Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies--Mississippi. Given during the organization's winter banquet in Jackson, the honor recognizes distinguished service through major commitments of time and expertise.
Borrowing words of the 26th U.S. president for whom the award is named, the ACEC/MS citation to Bennett reads: "Every man owes a part of his time or money to the business or industry in which he is engaged. No man has a moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions in his sphere."
ACEC/MS officials said the organization is "proud to offer the Teddy Roosevelt Award to a man who has exemplified these ideals in his career and volunteer efforts."
A native of Rocky Mount, Va., Bennett received bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech in 1960 and 1963, respectively. His doctorate in the discipline was completed at the University of Florida in 1966.
Bennett relinquishes his MSU administrative duties in June. Prior to his appointment eight years ago, he was senior vice president and dean of the graduate school at Clemson University.
ACEC/MS is a member of the ACEC, the largest national organization of engineers engaged in the independent practice of consulting engineering. Its more than 5,000 member firms employ nearly 200,000 professional engineers, surveyors, scientists and technicians who design more than $100 billion in construction projects annually.