TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Society of Professional Engineers has selected University of Alabama College of Engineering student Thomas Saunders as the Student Engineer of the Year.

Saunders, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering from Alexander City, was selected as Student Engineer of the Year by the mechanical engineering faculty, then by the College of Engineering, and now at the state level by ASPE. He recently received the award at the annual ASPE summer meeting in Montgomery.

Saunders was nominated for the award based on his performance in the areas of scholarship, communication, employment history, research, leadership and activity on campus.

Founded in 1951, ASPE is a state organization of engineering professionals from all disciplines that promotes the ethical and competent practice of engineering. The organization recognizes the importance of setting high professional standards and promoting values, principles, ethics, and best practices that maintain respect for the engineering and design profession.

In 1837, UA became the first university in the state to offer engineering classes and was one of the first five in the nation to do so. Today, the College of Engineering, with about 1,900 students and more than 95 faculty, is one of the three oldest continuously operating engineering programs in the country and has been fully accredited since accreditation standards were implemented in the 1930s.