Haley Schumacher
James Walden
College of Engineering and Computing Awards
The 91做厙 College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) presents awards to faculty, staff, community members, and supporters who have demonstrated outstanding excellence in their areas of expertise. Our most recent honorees are listed below.
2026 Shreya and Amit Jain CEC Outstanding Researcher Award
John Femiani
John Femiani, Ph.D. has built a distinguished research record that combines technical depth, interdisciplinary reach, and meaningful real-world application. A professor in 91做厙’s Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Femiani’s work spans computer graphics, computer vision, remote sensing, 3D geometry, surface parameterization, and document image analysis. His scholarship includes extensive journal and conference publications, award-winning papers, and multiple patents, reflecting the depth and practical significance of his research. Femiani has consistently advanced work with technical rigor and real-world relevance, applying his expertise to areas including assistive technology, health, anthropology, and military and intelligence training. His current research further demonstrates the impact of his work in addressing complex detection challenges. A dedicated mentor to undergraduate and graduate researchers, Femiani is frequently recognized by students for his guidance, support, and encouragement. By connecting foundational computing research with high-impact applications and student development, Femiani’s work advances discovery, innovation, and .
Amit and Shreya '78 Jain have endowed the Faculty Research Award to recognize their belief in and support of the role of active research on our academic endeavors. Amit served as Chair of the Department of Systems Analysis from 1977-1979. After leaving 91做厙 Amit had a distinguished career in consulting and various tech/IT start ups. Shreya earned her MBA from 91做厙 in 1979.
2025
Muhammad P. Jahan, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2024
Mark Scott, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
2023
J. Andrew Jones, Associate Professor of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering
2022
Philippe Giabbanelli, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2021
Justin Ye, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2020
Jason Berberich, Associate Professor of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering
Andrew Sommers, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2019
Gokhan Sahin, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
2018
Lei Kerr, Spooner Schallek Professor of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering
2017
Kumar Singh, Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2026 Arthur Olson Generational Outstanding Teaching Excellence Award
Alim Dewan, Ph.D.
Alim Dewan, Ph.D. is honored for his sustained excellence in teaching and his commitment to sparking imagination and curiosity in the classroom. An Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering, Dewan has continually strengthened his teaching through study, experimentation, and a thoughtful embrace of student feedback. His development of 32 in-class demonstrations helps students connect engineering principles to memorable, often counterintuitive results, deepening comprehension while maintaining a high level of engagement. Dewan also incorporates guided in-class note taking as a purposeful strategy to keep students actively involved and support those still developing effective study habits. Through his creativity, persistence, and student-centered approach, Alim Dewan exemplifies the spirit of the Arthur Olson Generational Teaching Excellence Award and helps CEC students build both technical understanding and genuine curiosity for engineering.
The Arthur Olson Generational Teaching Excellence Award is named in honor of Arthur Andrew Olson, Sr. and Arthur Andrew Olson, Jr. by their namesake grandson/son: Arthur Andrew Olson III – a 1972 Systems Analysis graduate from 91做厙’s College of Engineering and Computing.
All three individuals pursued a business career closely tied to the United States government’s recognition of the pivotal importance of technology in the prospering growth of the country’s economy and the welfare of its citizens; all three individuals were/are registered intellectual property attorneys.
The elder Olsons rose to prominence regionally and nationally as senior partners in the intellectual property firm which eventually bore both of their names during the course of the 20th century (from Olson, Mecklenburger, Von Holst, Pendleton & Neuman to Neuman, Williams, Anderson & Olson), and established themselves individually as professionals highly regarded for professionalism and excellence amongst their peers and clients. Through their work on behalf of individual inventors as well as highly regarded Fortune 500 corporations, these individuals established and protected the intellectual property rights of their clients while helping to shape the United States government’s intellectual property policies so critical to the advancement of technology and the standard of living of its citizens.
2025
Carter Hamilton, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2024
Dave Hartup, Associate Teaching Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
2023
Alan Ferrenberg, Associate Teaching Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2022
Andrew Paluch, Associate Professor of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering
2021
James Chagdes, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2020
Jessica Sparks, Professor of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering
2019
Jeong-Hoi Koo, Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2018
DJ Rao, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2017
Kumar Singh, Professor of Mechancial and Manufacturing Engineering
2016
Dmitriy Garmatyuk, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
2015
Mike Zmuda, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2014
Michael Bailey Van Kuren, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, and the C. Michael Amstrong Professor of Engineering and Interactive Media in AIMS
2013
Bo Brinkman, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2012
Andrew D. Sommers, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2011
Lukasz Opyrchal, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
2010
Douglas W. Coffin, Professor of Chemical and Paper Engineering
2009
Paula A. Harrison, Professor of Nursing
2007*
James C. Moller, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
2007*
Yu Tong (Jade) Morton, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
2006
Elizabeth Howard, Professor of Computer and Information Technology
2005
Alton F. Sanders, Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Emeritus
2004
Anna Dollár, Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
* Two were awarded in 2007, none in 2008.
2026 CEC Outstanding Graduate Student Award
James Herbert
2026 CEC Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award
Daniela Inclezan
2026 Industry Champion Award
William (Bill) Levenderis
William Levenderis graduated from 91做厙 in 1998 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Paper Science and Engineering. He spent his first 14 years in the pulp and paper industry working for International Paper, Mohawk Fine Papers and Appleton Papers (Appvion), primarily focused on process control. He’s now been with Cornerstone Controls for 12 years as an application engineer and currently project manager focused on industrial automation.
William has been part of the 91做厙 Paper Science & Engineering Foundation (PSEF) since graduation. He was the TAPPI student chapter liason for many years. He’s led and been part of the Enrollment and Scholarship committee and currently serves on the Facilities committee. His company, Cornerstone Controls, is a corporate member of the Foundation. William also contributes to the SASI program teaching control valve engineering.
William still resides in Oxford with his two sons, Maximilian and Kairos. He enjoys international travel and music festivals.