Herff College of Engineering
AWARDS AND HONORS
At the Herff College of Engineering, excellence is more than achievement — it is impact. It is leadership that moves industries forward, service that strengthens communities and innovation that shapes the future.
Through our Faculty & Staff Awards and the Herff Hall of Fame, we honor the individuals who embody these ideals and inspire the next generation of engineers.
Behind every transformative educational experience are faculty and staff whose dedication fuels discovery, mentorship and student success. The Herff Faculty & Staff Awards recognize those who elevate our college through their commitment to excellence in teaching, research, service and innovation.
These awards celebrate individuals who:
- Inspire and mentor future engineers
- Advance knowledge through research and scholarship
- Strengthen our college through leadership and service
- Foster a culture of collaboration, integrity and innovation
Their work shapes not only our students’ futures but also the strength and reputation of the Herff College of Engineering.
Herff College of Engineering Hall of Fame
The Herff College of Engineering Hall of Fame honors alumni and distinguished leaders whose professional achievements and service reflect the highest ideals of the engineering profession.
These individuals demonstrate how a Herff education extends far beyond the classroom — influencing industries, communities and society at large.
Nominees may be recognized within one of three distinction tiers, reflecting the breadth and depth of their impact.
This highest distinction recognizes individuals whose careers reflect transformative and sustained impact in engineering, leadership, philanthropy or societal contribution.
Typical number of recipients: 4
Criteria:
- Demonstrated lifetime excellence in engineering or a related field, with eligibility defined as having graduated 20 or more years ago or having achieved exceptional accomplishments in engineering
- Sustained leadership that has meaningfully influenced a discipline, industry, organization, or community
- Significant contributions to the college, the engineering profession, or both, through service, mentorship, innovation, or advancement of the field
- National or international recognition that reflects the nominee’s professional impact and distinction
These awards recognize exceptional contributions within specific areas of impact.
Typical number of recipients: 5 (across categories)
Award categories include:
Distinguished Professional Achievement
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Patents and industry advancement
- Industry leadership
- Professional recognition
Distinguished Academic Excellence
- Teaching excellence
- Research contributions
- Mentorship
- Scholarly impact
Distinguished Service to Engineering
- Leadership in professional societies
- Accreditation boards and standards committees
- Public policy or advocacy
Distinguished Philanthropy & Community Impact
- Philanthropy supporting engineering or education
- Civic leadership
- Community service
- Social innovation
This recognition honors early-career professionals who demonstrate rapid impact and strong future promise.
Typical number of recipients: 1
Criteria include:
- Three to ten years into career
- Demonstrated innovation or professional impact
- Clear potential for major future contributions
- The Hall of Fame celebrates the lasting legacy of Herff graduates and reinforces the college’s commitment to developing engineers who lead, innovate and serve.
Submit a Hall of Fame Nomination here
Annual Herff College of Engineering Faculty and Staff Awards
The Herff College of Engineering (HCOE) is committed to the on-going recognition of the achievements and contributions of its faculty, staff, and supporters. The HCOE established awards programs for faculty and staff to provide an avenue whereby exemplary contributions and achievements could be recognized. Because the purpose of these programs is to recognize significant contributions to the mission of the college and the university made by individuals, all faculty and staff of the HOE will be considered eligible recipients for the faculty and staff awards. This includes regular full and part-time faculty and staff. The nomination processes for each of the awards are described in more detail below.
This award is presented annually to a staff employee of the HCOE who has made significant and sustained contributions to the college through his/her commitment, such as excellence in service, innovative ideas, creative resolution of problems, leadership, or outstanding teamwork. The name of the award shall be the Herff Outstanding Staff Award. Any HCOE faculty or staff member may nominate a full or part-time staff employee of the HCOE for the Herff Outstanding Staff Award. Nominations are to be submitted to the College of Engineering Awards Committee by way of email to herffawards@memphis.edu by the designated deadline each year. The College Awards Committee will select, no more than two of the nominees for the award. The award will be presented at the College of Engineering Annual Awards Celebration that is held annually in March or April and will consist of a monetary award and an engraved plaque.
This award is presented annually to a faculty member of the HOE who has made significant and sustained scholarly contributions to the profession as demonstrated by measures such as journal publications, research monographs, or external research funding. The name of the award shall be the Herff Outstanding Faculty Research Award. Any HCO faculty or staff member may nominate a full or part-time faculty member of the HCOE for the Herff Outstanding Faculty Research Award. Nominations are to be submitted to the College of Engineering Awards Committees by way of email to herffawards@memphis.edu by the designated deadline each year. The College Awards Committee will grant one of the nominees for the award. The award will be presented at the College of Engineering Annual Awards Celebration that is held annually in March or April and will consist of a monetary award and an engraved plaque.
This award is presented annually to a faculty member in the HCOE who has demonstrated exceptional scholarly productivity and impact through peer‑reviewed journal publications. The name of the award shall be Herff Outstanding Scholar Award for High‑Impact Journal Publications. All eligible faculty are automatically considered, and the recipient is determined through an objective review of publication records during the prior calendar year. Selection is based on the highest number of peer‑reviewed journal publications and the highest cumulative journal impact factor. Publications must be published within the prior calendar year and reflect recognized archival journals appropriate to the faculty member’s discipline. The award will be presented at the College of Engineering Annual Awards Celebration that is held annually in March or April and will consist of a monetary award and an engraved plaque.
This award is presented annually to individual faculty, staff, or collaborative groups in the HCOE who have received external recognition for their work through public news media or professional organizations. The name of the award shall be Herff Distinguished Recognition Award. This award honors achievements that bring positive visibility and distinction to the college by showcasing excellence in research, innovation, education, service, or professional leadership beyond the university. Nominations are to be submitted to the College of Engineering Awards Committee by way of email to herffawards@memphis.edu by the designated deadline each year. Any HCOE faculty or staff member may nominate a full or part-time faculty member of the HCOE for the Herff Distinguished Recognition Award. The College Awards Committee will grant one of the nominees for the award. Nominations may be submitted by faculty or staff and should document recognition such as coverage or features in local, regional, national, or international news outlets; honors, awards, or formal recognition from professional or technical organizations; public acknowledgment of engineering contributions with meaningful societal, industrial, or community impact. The award may recognize a single notable accomplishment or a series of related achievements within the past calendar year and may be presented to individuals or collaborative groups. The award will be presented at the College of Engineering Annual Awards Celebration that is held annually in March or April and will consist of professional certificate(s) of recognition.
This award is presented annually to individual faculty, staff, or collaborative groups in the Herff College of Engineering who have demonstrated high‑impact public outreach and community engagement. The name of the award shall be Herff Public Outreach and Engagement Award. This award recognizes exemplary efforts that extend engineering knowledge and expertise beyond the university to K–12 audiences, local or regional communities, or national constituencies, and that meaningfully advance public understanding, access, and participation in engineering and STEM fields. Nominations are to be submitted to the College of Engineering Awards Committee by way of email to herffawards@memphis.edu by the designated deadline each year. Any HCOE faculty or staff member may nominate a full or part-time faculty member of the HCOE for the Herff Public Outreach and Engagement Award. The College Awards Committee will grant one of the nominees for the award. Nominations may be submitted by faculty or staff and should document outreach activities such as sustained or innovative K–12 STEM outreach or education programs; community‑engaged initiatives addressing local or regional needs; or national‑level outreach, engagement, or leadership in STEM education, workforce development, or public engagement. The award may recognize a single significant initiative or sustained outreach efforts over time and may be presented to individuals or collaborative groups. The award will be presented at the College of Engineering Annual Awards Celebration that is held annually in March or April and will consist of professional certificate(s) of recognition.