, professor of civil and environmental engineering, was surprised in the middle of a research group meeting April 2 with the presentation of the Vanderbilt University Alumni Association Alumni Education Award.
The Alumni Education Award is given annually to a full-time Vanderbilt faculty member who has contributed substantially to Vanderbilt Alumni Association education programs. First given in 1982, this award is decided upon by the Vanderbilt University Alumni Association Board of Directors. Abkowitz is the second engineering professor to ever win the award, which consists of a cash prize of $2,500 and an engraved bowl.
 Alumnus Thomas Conner (center) and Senior Associate Dean of Engineering Art Overholser (right) present the Vanderbilt Alumni Education Award to Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Mark Abkowitz on April 2. (image courtesy of Vanderbilt Alumni Association) |
Abkowitz was presented the award by the Vanderbilt Alumni Association, School of Engineering Senior Associate Dean Art Overholser and Thomas Conner, A&S Class of 1988 and a member of the Alumni Association Board.
Abkowitz has been at Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering since 1991. His specialties include enterprise risk management, hazardous materials transportation safety and security, assessing the impacts of energy choices and climate change, and the strategic and operational deployment of intelligent transportation systems. He has authored more than 100 publications on these topics and has appeared on National Public Radio, Fox News and CNBC to discuss issues of national importance.
Abkowitz was appointed by President George W. Bush in June 2002 as a member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. He is the recipient of the 1996 Distinguished Service Award from the National Academy of Sciences for his leadership role with the Transportation Research Board.
In addition, he is the author of Operational Risk Management: A Case Study Approach to Effective Planning and Response, recently published by John Wiley & Sons. He also is a weekly contributor to the Monday Risk Report, a blog devoted to discussing world events that have important risk management implications.