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Awards

Dr. Robert G. Driver, P.Eng.

2009 summit award® recipients

THE EXCELLENCE IN
EDUCATION AWARD


Dr. Robert G. Driver, P.Eng.


This award is presented to Members of APEGGA who have made exemplary contributions to teaching and learning at a recognized post-secondary teaching establishment in Alberta.

In 1984, Dr. Robert Driver, P.Eng., taught his first university lecture and a life-long interest in delivering and promoting quality engineering education began. After spending six years as a professional structural engineer in industry, Dr. Driver began his academic career at Lafayette College in Easton, PA where he took advantage of the available teaching seminars and sought counsel from senior faculty. This environment enabled him to develop rapidly as a teacher. In 2000, he accepted a position at the University of Alberta, where he is currently a professor, and soon became widely recognized as an excellent and dedicated educator.

Dr. Driver’s teaching creates an environment where students are motivated to learn. Students at both the undergraduate and graduate level appreciate his industry background, practical examples, clarity of expectations, enthusiasm, and his ability to explain complex topics. He makes extra efforts in his teaching, such as coordinating field trips and offering supplementary seminars on practice-related topics. Dr. Driver brings to the classroom a broad view of how engineering courses can be delivered to enrich the learning environment, having taught engineering courses in Canada, the US, and South Africa, and possessing extensive experience in engineering practice.

During his time at the University of Alberta, his teaching evaluations have been among the highest in the Faculty of Engineering and he has been recognized numerous times for excellence in education. Dr. Driver proactively seeks to improve as a teacher by participating in faculty teaching workshops. He also assists teachers in developing their skills in his role as a mentor in the Faculty of Engineering Teaching Mentorship Program for faculty members and the University Teaching Program for graduate teaching assistants.

Dr. Driver’s role as an educator extends beyond the classroom. He has made presentations to undergraduate student groups, and has participated in many extra-curricular student events and projects. He is active in recruiting undergraduate students to his research programs and has served as research supervisor to more than 35 graduate students. His students have frequently been co-authors on the more than 80 technical refereed journal and conference papers that he has published based on his various research programs. He has also presented numerous professional development seminars to practicing engineers.

He has mentored high school students, providing them with knowledge about engineering so that they may make informed career choices. Dr. Driver has also, through Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology, volunteered to help familiarize young women with the opportunities available in the engineering profession. His educational outreach activities include the delivery of fun, hands-on presentations about bridges to grade three classes, providing a look at the type of careers held by some Professional Engineers.

Honours, Awards and Distinctions

  • McCalla Professorship, University of Alberta (2009-2010)

  • H.A. Krentz Award, Steel Structures Education Foundation (2008; 2007 (co-recipient); 2006)

  • Vinnakota Award (co-recipient), Structural Stability Research Council (2008)

  • Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2007)

  • J. James R. Croes Medal, American Society of Civil Engineers (2007)

  • Undergraduate Teaching Award, University of Alberta Faculty of Engineering (2006-2007; 2005-2006; 2003-2004)

  • Visiting research scientist, Lehigh University (2004)

  • Visiting professor of steel structures engineering, Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (2003)

  • Invited lectureships, University of Cape Town and University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa (2003)

Professional Affiliations and Activities

  • Executive Committee on Blast Resistant Buildings (Standard S850), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), (Chair, Progressive Collapse sub-committee), (2008-present)

  • Executive Coordinating Committee, Faculty of Engineering (2007-present)

  • Academic Appeals Committee, Faculty of Engineering (2007-present)

  • Engineering chair, 2006 Steel Structures Education Foundation National Educators' Conference (2006)

  • Graduate Studies Committee, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2006-present)

  • Member, International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineers (2005-present)

  • Undergraduate Student/Staff Committee, Faculty of Engineering (2005-2008)

  • Committee on Limit States Design of Steel Structures (Standard S16) CSA (Chair of two technical sub-committees), (2004-present)

  • Member, American Society for Engineering Education (2004-present)

  • Executive Committee, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2004-2006)

  • Adjudicator, Donald Jamieson Fellowship Selection Committee, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (2002-present)

  • Chair, Task Group 1, Structural Stability Research Council (2000-present)

  • Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (1995-present)

  • Member, American Concrete Institute (1993-present)

  • Member, APEGGA (1993-present)

  • Member, Professional Engineers Ontario (1988-present)

  • Member, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (1985-present)