2000 National Outstanding Advisor - William W. Mendenhall, Jr.

Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, has named its seventh National Outstanding Advisor in its program to recognize engineering faculty who make important contributions to students and collegiate chapters. While the primary concern of Tau Beta Pi is to recognize students of superior scholarship and exemplary character and to honor eminent practicing engineers, the Association also lauds excellence in engineering education and in the ethical practice of engineering.

William W. Mendenhall, Jr., New York Delta ’48, longtime advisor to the Alaska Alpha Chapter and retired professor of civil engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is the 2000 Tau Beta Pi National Outstanding Advisor and was honored on October 7, 2000, at the 95^th annual National Convention held in San Francisco, California. Tau Beta Pi President Douglas M. Green, P.E., presented $1,000 and a commemorative plaque to Professor Mendenhall. Another $1,000 grant will be presented to the engineering college’s discretionary fund.

Professor Mendenhall was instrumental in establishing the Alaska Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1974 and has served with extraordinary dedication as Chapter Advisor for twenty-six years, even following his retirement from his teaching position in 1987. Professor Mendenhall has given 50 years of dedicated service to Tau Beta Pi and, more importantly, almost as many years acting as an inspirational role model to students and colleagues at the University of Alaska. It is rumored that he hasn’t missed a meeting of Tau Beta Pi since 1974 and that his presence and use of humor and wit transformed project work into fun. The value of his maintaining the importance of rituals and tradition can not be understated.

Professor Mendenhall’s infectious enthusiasm inspired the students of Alaska Alpha to receive awards from Tau Beta Pi in 1993-94 and 1998-99 for the quantity and quality of their projects. His deep sense of service has renewed the chapter’s efforts to see the value of engaging in activities that promote the betterment of the community. Members of Alaska Alpha now look forward to judging science fairs and third-grade Lego's building contests, writing answers to Santa Claus letters to children from all over North America, and organizing a popular bi-annual barbecue for all engineering students.

Professor Mendenhall was inducted into Tau Beta Pi at Cornell University in 1948, where he was awarded the Fuertes Medal as the top student of his class. He is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, and Chi Epsilon honor societies. His early engineering career included work at NATO bases for the European Command for Corps of Engineers in France. In 1953, he made Alaska his home, initially working for a private mining company. Shortly thereafter, he established Mendenhall Aerial Surveys, which he still operates. Professor Mendenhall joined the faculty at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1955, returning to Cornell University for a year to complete his master of science degree in civil engineering. He has been the recipient of several awards in his field, including the Wild Heerburg Award for Research in Photogrammetry in 1961, Fairbanks Engineer of the Year in 1986, and was named to the Alaska Surveying "Hall Of Fame" in 1996. Professor Mendenhall has also lent his leadership to several community organizations and professional societies such as NSPE, ASCE, and SAME, as well as serving as past president and vice president of Alaska Section of Civil Engineers and past treasurer and vice president of Alaska Society of Professional Engineers.

For his leadership role and vision for the Alaska Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi, his inspiration to the many engineering students who have been privileged to have him as their teacher, advisor, and mentor, and for the many significant contributions made to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and his community, Tau Beta Pi is proud to present this prestigious national honor to Professor William W. Mendenhall, Jr.