The UNM School of Engineering has announced five alumni who are the winners of the 2007 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Awards. The awards are chosen through a nomination process that includes alumni and other engineering professionals. Honorees are chosen for their contributions to the community, their profession and to the world in which we live. The 2007 Distinguished Engineering Alumni include Harold R. Bosch, Adrian B. Chernoff, Sajjad H. Durrani, Thomas J. Nesbitt and Heinz W. Schmitt.
Harold R. Bosch, BSCE - 1971
Bosch is the director of the Aerodynamics Laboratory at the Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center of the Federal Highway Administration and is an internationally recognized expert in wind engineering. In his more than 35-year career with the FHWA, he has significantly impacted the wind engineering of highway structures.
In addition to his laboratory work, Bosch has done pioneering work in long-term monitoring of bridges and in improving analytical wind models used for long bridge spans.
Adrian B. Chernoff, BSME/MSME – 1996/1999
Chernoff is a prolific inventor who holds 54 U.S. and foreign patents. He also has 50 patents pending and more than 800 documented ideas. He was the principal inventor for a technology breakthrough vehicle, the Reinvention of the Automobile (GM AUTOnomy, GM Carousel, GM-HyWire, GM Sequel) and has worked for Walt Disney Imagineering, Sandia National Labs and NASA.
Chernoff is currently working on several start-ups, including a Web site dedicated to individuals who change the world. It can be accessed at http://www.MUZZ.com.
Sajjad H. Durrani, ScD EE - 1963
Durrani is a world renowned expert in satellite communications. He performed work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) which is used as the primary relay for earth observation satellites, the Hubble Space Telescope and the Space Shuttle. He has managed NASA research on the subject, including the program management for the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS).
In addition, Durrani taught engineering in Pakistan for 10 years and has served as an adjunct professor at George Washington University and the University of Maryland.
Thomas J. Nesbitt, BSCE – 1948
Nesbitt was the city engineer for Mesa, Arizona from 1948-1955, when he left to found Nesbitt Contracting Company. He also founded Century Materials to provide raw materials, and used recycled asphalt pavement to save time and money in road building and repair.
In 1981 he launched Arizona Pavement Profiling, which set the standard for quality milling in the southwest. Landmark projects include work on the Phoenix International Raceway, Scottsdale Airport and Cardinal Stadium.
Heinz W. Schmitt, MSMS – 1962
Schmitt has served 36 years with Sandia National Laboratories, advancing from technical staff member to Chief Engineer and Vice President of Weapons Systems with responsibility for 1,600 employees and a $400 million budget.
Schmitt made significant contributions to national security with his leadership in nuclear weapons technology and policy development and in management of the nation’s nuclear deterrent though his participation in several high level federal government committees.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu