Three Cullen College of Engineering faculty members were honored Tuesday at a University of Houston luncheon where 17 UH educators and researchers received awards based on nominations from faculty, staff and alumni.
William G. Rixey, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, received the Enron Corporation Teaching Excellence Award, which carries a $5,000 stipend and a trophy and is made possible by a fully funded endowment.
Rixey joined the university in 1993. Last year he won an Outstanding Teacher Award from the engineering college. In 1998 he received a similar teaching award and was named Professor of the Year by the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 1999 he received the W.T. Kittinger Teaching Excellence Award, which is the engineering college's highest teaching honor.
Leang-San Shieh, professor of electrical and computer engineering, received the El Paso Corporate Foundation Faculty Achievement Award, which carries a $3,000 prize and a plaque.
Shieh has received more than 10 Outstanding Teacher Awards from the Cullen College of Engineering and a UH Teaching Excellence Award. He joined the faculty in 1971 and became director of the computer and systems engineering program in 1987. His fields of interest include digital control, optimal control, self-tuning control and hybrid control of uncertain systems. He has directed 55 master's theses and 14 Ph.D. dissertations and has published more than 200 articles in various scientific journals.
Vemuri Balakotaiah, professor of chemical engineering and UH alumnus, was named John and Rebecca Moores Professor for his outstanding contributions to teaching, research and service at UH. This five-year position will begin with the 2002-2003 academic year.