Jerry Rogers recognized for a lifetime of volunteerism
Jerry Rogers, who retired as professor emeritus from the UH department of civil and environmental engineering in 2013, received a Service to the Institute Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on May 20 at the ASCE Environmental and Water Resources Congress in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The award is given in recognition of extensive and outstanding service to the Institute.
Rogers is a founding member of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers (AAWRE) – a subsidiary of the ASCE, the AAWRE Board of Trustees and participated on the AAWRE Admissions Committee from 2006-2015. He was also one of the founding members of the ASCE Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) and served on the former ASCE Water Resources Planning & Management Division. He helped launch the EWRI History & Heritage Committee and served as chair of First National ASCE Education Congress in 1999.
Rogers is a life member of ASCE – elected as a Distinguished Member in 2008 – and served on the ASCE National Board. He also served as president of the ASCE Texas and ASCE Houston Branch section and served as president of the American Water Resources Association. He currently serves as president of the Civil Engineering Certification (CEC) Inc.
Volunteerism has been a rewarding experience for Rogers and he advises UH students to seek out opportunities to give back and get involved.
“Volunteering for engineering committees in your interest areas allows you to respond to committee needs. Submitting abstracts of projects to society conferences allows you to share your experience with others,” he said. “And, along the way, you become better known to others.”
Rogers created a similar legacy of service and dedication during his 43-year career at the UH Cullen College of Engineering. He taught from 1970 to 2013 and graduated four Ph.D. students and advised 21 MSCE thesis-track graduate students from 1974-2003, with several other MSCE and MCE students to 2012.
He was honored for his outstanding concurrent service as faculty advisor to four UH student organizations, ASCE, Omicron Delta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, and Theta Tau.
From 1971 to 2001, Rogers authored and co-authored 60 papers and publications, gave 49 research presentations from 1968 to 1991, and presented 26 invited seminar presentations.
Rogers also participated in UH research contracts from NASA, Harris County Flood Control District, City of Houston, City of Conroe, City of Pearland and U.S. Community Service.
Other accolades earned by Rogers include: the 1974 Texas Young Engineer of the Year Award from the Texas Society of Professional Engineers San Jacinto Chapter; the 1996 Engineer of the Year Award from the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and Engineers Council of Houston; the ASCE William H. Wisely American Civil Engineer Award in 1997; ASCE Texas Section Lifetime Service Award in 2008; ASCE Civil Engineering History and Heritage Award in 2010; and the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of the ASCE. He received a Service to the Academy Award from the AAWRE in 2018.