10/20/99
Editors: A picture of Shad Sargand is available at: http://cscwww.cats.ohiou.edu/news/pix/Sargand.JPG
ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University Professor of Civil Engineering Shad M. Sargand has been appointed the Fritz and Delores Russ Professorship in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. Chosen from the faculty in the college by the dean, each candidate must show leadership contributing to the growth and advancement of the college through outstanding performance in that person's field. The Russ Professorship is a five-year appointment with a grant of $10,000 a year and travel funds of $2,000 annually.
Sargand, an associate director of the Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment, won the award in 1990 and in 1993. He has written more than 120 technical papers and is a reviewer for six professional journals. In 1992, he won the "Experimental Techniques" Outstanding Paper Award. He is nationally recognized for his research and received the Civil Engineering Department research award in 1998 and in 1999. Former Gov. George Voinovich awarded Sargand a Certificate of Appreciation for his work with Ohio roads.
Sargand said the award motivates the faculty to achieve more for the university.
"When you get this kind of award, it puts pressure on the people to contribute more to the system like time, leadership to junior faculty, and try to work hard providing quality to the program," he said.
Dean of the Russ College of Engineering and Technology Warren K. Wray said Sargand is internationally acclaimed for his work.
"Sargand has achieved a national plus an international reputation for his research," he said. "The thing that has gotten him this acclaim is that his system has produced better data in quicker time than anyone else has done. Because of his research accomplishments, he has achieved distinction as a Russ Professor."
Sargand completed a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in engineering at the University of Nebraska. He earned a doctorate in civil and geotechnical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
