2010 L. R. Hesler Award
Peter Liaw
This year’s L. R. Hesler award goes to Peter Liaw, professor of materials science and engineering and the College of Engineering’s Ivan Racheff Chair of Excellence. Since joining the faculty in 1993, Liaw’s contributions to students and the university have been outstanding. His prominent role in the field of materials sciences and his pursuit of research dollars have resulted in more than $20 million in education and research funds for the university. His leadership resulted in a multi-million-dollar grant from the National Science Foundation to create the International Materials Institute at UT, a program that provides students with a formal opportunity for international collaborations. In addition to his research and classroom work, Liaw has devoted a great deal of his time to the service of the university, participating on numerous committees to help better the campus community. He has been honored as a College of Engineering Research Fellow in 2004 and a National Alumni Association Distinguished Service Professor.
The L. R. Hesler Award is named for the long-time head of the botany department who also served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Hesler’s students, colleagues, and friends established this memorial award to recognize outstanding teaching and service to the university.
The L. R. Hesler Award is bestowed to faculty with outstanding teaching abilities and service to the university community