Tau Beta Pi Announces Dr. Larry A. Simonson, as 2002 National Outstanding Advisor

Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, has named its ninth 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.

Dr. Larry A. Simonson, P.E., South Dakota Alpha ’69, longtime chief advisor to the South Dakota Alpha Chapter and chair of the electrical and computer engineering department at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, is the 2002 Tau Beta Pi National Outstanding Advisor. He will be honored on October 5, 2002, at the 97th annual national Convention to be held in Detroit, Michigan. Tau Beta Pi President Douglas M. Green, P.E., will present $1,000 and a commemorative plaque to Dr. Simonson. Another $1,000 grant will be presented to the engineering college’s discretionary fund.

For 16 years, Dr. Simonson has served with unwavering dedication as the chief advisor to the South Dakota Alpha Chapter. Dr. Simonson was cited for his energy, enthusiasm, and initiative; factors which have garnered recognition for students on his campus.

Dr. Simonson was initiated into the Tau Chapter of Sigma Tau in 1968 at SDSM&T.
He joined Tau Beta Pi when Sigma Tau merged into Tau Beta Pi in 1974. Dr. Simonson pursued his education in electrical engineering at SDSM&T, receiving a B.S. in 1969, an M.S. in 1971, and a Ph.D. in 1974. After several years as a process engineer at Texas Instruments, he returned to SDSM&T in 1976 to begin a successful teaching career that has spanned nearly 27 years. Since 1998, he has been the Hoffert Professor and chair of the electrical and computer engineering department. A registered professional engineer, Dr. Simonson has been called on as an expert witness in fire investigations since 1985. He is an active member of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association, and since 1996, has served as president of the South Dakota Electrical Commission, a seven-member governor-appointed board.

Although Dr. Simonson is busy with his schedule as department head and since 1994 as Director for Tau Beta Pi’s District 12, his office door is always open; he is a friend to all. His chief concern is for the students—he not only offers pride in belonging, but he promotes group unity. He actively participates with the students and encourages them to interact with each other—he assists in organizing social events, drives members to Conventions and District gatherings, and travels to other chapters within the District to conduct Engineering Futures sessions. The distances are great—650 miles between some chapters.

In helping the students and chapter leaders create worthwhile goals, he has spearheaded outstanding and unique projects, such as starting a Youth Engineering Adventure (YEA), a week-long summer camp on the SDSM&T and South Dakota State University campuses that introduces high-school sophomores to engineering. He also helped sponsor the first annual “Engineering and Science Spring Career Fair” on campus this year, and last year he helped the Association with a project to initiate Sigma Tau members into Tau Beta Pi. During the holiday season, South Dakota Alpha designed and assembled a lighted Christmas tree, which was on display at the SDSM&T parade of trees and the town’s festival of lights. This year Dr. Simonson received the university’s Virginia Simpson Award in recognition of his involvement as a staff member in the Rapid City community.
South Dakota Alpha itself has received numerous awards during Dr. Simonson’s tenure as chapter advisor—nine Secretary’s Commendations (consecutively for the past six years) and Project Awards for the past three years, in addition to a Greater Interest in Government grant for its involvement with the YEA. The chapter is proud of recognition by the South Dakota Board of Regents, which presented members with the award for academic excellence in 1989, 1997, and 2001.
For his pride in membership, promotion of group unity, creativity, and his enthusiastic encouragement of worthwhile goals, Tau Beta Pi is proud to recognize Dr. Larry Simonson as the 2002 National Outstanding Advisor.