TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama College of Engineering announced Dr. Kevin Whitaker, associate dean for academic programs, as the 2007 T. Morris Hackney Endowed Faculty Leadership Award recipient.

The award honors a faculty member who exemplifies the constant guidance and leadership necessary to make the College of Engineering exceptional.

Whitaker began working at The University of Alabama in 1987 as an assistant professor of aerospace engineering. He has served as campus director for the Alabama Space Grant Consortium, institution coordinator for the NSF-funded Foundation Coalition, and campus director for NASA Opportunities for Visionary Academics. Whitaker currently serves as associate dean for academic programs and as associate professor of aerospace engineering and mechanics.

Whitaker has received numerous awards, including the Outstanding Aerospace Engineering Faculty Member and the NASA Graduate Student Researchers Fellowship. He has been awarded numerous externally-funded research grants, with the most recent from the National Science Foundation. In addition, Whitaker has more than 16 reviewed publications and 49 conference presentations.

In 1980, Whitaker received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from General Motors Institute. He went on to receive his master’s and doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University in 1982 and 1986, respectively.

This award was created as a tribute to T. Morris Hackney, and it was made possible by the contributions from Mr. John H. Josey and his son, Mr. Howard Josey.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has about 1,900 students and nearly 100 faculty. In the last seven years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state’s economy, is in keeping with UA’s vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.