OXFORD, Miss. – Sam Shu-Yi Wang, F.A.P. Barnard
Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the
University of Mississippi, has a list of achievements and
awards that spans four decades, six continents and dozens
of organizations.
Another was added Saturday (May 10) during UM’s
commencement ceremonies, when he became the inaugural
recipient of the university’s Distinguished Research and
Creative Achievement Award.
“This award was created to recognize and pay tribute to a
faculty member whose career and achievements have generated
national and international accolades, someone who has been
a leader in his chosen field, and someone who has made
outstanding, lifelong contributions to his profession and
to our institution,” said Alice M. Clark, vice chancellor
for research and sponsored programs.
“We are so grateful for Dr. Wang’s leadership on this
campus and his impact globally. We are also grateful to
Pharmaceutics International Inc., for providing a gift in
support of this award.”
Wang, founder and director of UM’s National Center for
Computational Hydroscience and Engineering, is the only
scholar in the world to win the two highest honors in the
field of erosion and sedimentation research: the American
Society of Civil Engineers’ Hans Albert Einstein Award and
the Qien Ling Award for Outstanding Achievement from the
World Association for Sedimentation and Erosion Research.
Wang joined the UM faculty in 1967. During his tenure, he
has published and presented more than 300 original research
articles and edited 10 books. Recognized worldwide in his
field, he has been an invited keynote speaker and an expert
consultant and special lecturer to governments,
institutions and professional societies in more than 30
countries.
“I would like to share this high honor with all of my
colleagues at NCCHE,” Wang said. “With the strong support
of the dedicated, capable and hard-working research
scientists there, we proved convincingly that complexities
and difficulties in hydroscience research can be overcome.”
Wang also credited his successes to the continuing support
he has received from the university and to his beloved
wife, Jine. “Without her understanding and support, I would
not be able to concentrate on my hard work for long hours
each day, often seven days a week,” Wang said.
A fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Wang
is a founder of the Environment and Water Resources
Institute and of the World Association for Sedimentation
and Erosion Research. Admired and respected by his peers,
he is also an associate fellow, honorary member, member
and/or officer of more than 10 professional societies.
Wang conducts and directs basic and applied research
projects in the field of computational hydroscience and
engineering supported by many federal and state agencies.
He has attracted research grants and awards totaling more
than $20 million.
“Dr. Wang is one of the most outstanding researchers and
teachers that I have come across in my long career,” said
Kai Fong Lee, dean of the UM School of Engineering. “His
former students have given testimonials that the
outstanding teaching and guidance they received from him
have been instrumental in their successes in their
careers.”
For more information about the National Center for
Computational Hydroscience and Engineering, visit http://www.ncche.olemiss.edu or call 662-915-7788.