Dr. Beth Todd

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Society of Women Engineers recently honored Dr. Beth Todd, a University of Alabama professor, with a 2004 fellow membership at the national conference in Milwaukee, Wis.

Todd, associate professor of mechanical engineering, has been a member of SWE since the early 1970s when she was a student at Penn State. She was recognized for her outstanding leadership, commitment to students, continued support of the achievement of women in engineering and passion for the engineering profession. Todd’s achievements include research, proposal preparation and grant work for undergraduate students, which have resulted in numerous national awards, scholarships, fellowships and recognition for students.

“SWE is the professional organization it is today because of members like Dr. Todd,” said Vi Brown, president of the SWE. “We are only as strong as our members are, and it’s members like Dr. Todd whose contributions to the field of engineering and to working with and inspiring students and SWE members are commendable.”

Todd came to UA in 1992 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 2001. During her time at UA, she has published research in biomechanics that has been used to assist the physically disabled as well as increase the understanding of the effects of micro-gravity on the human body.

“Her hard work, dedication and professionalism serve as an excellent example to our students, and she has inspired many young women to become successful engineers,” said Dr. Will Sutton, UA professor and head of the department of mechanical engineering.

SWE, founded in 1950, is a non-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women.

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.