Haugh Named Outstanding Engineering Alumnus of Penn State

BLACKSBURG, Va., May 30, 2002 -- C. Gene Haugh, professor of biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech, has been named Outstanding Engineering Alumnus by the Penn State College of Engineering.

The annual award is the highest honor conferred by the Penn State College of Engineering.

Haugh, a registered professional engineer, graduated from Penn State with a degree in agricultural engineering in 1958. He received his master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1959 and his doctorate from Purdue University in 1964.

He was a member of the faculties at the University of Florida and at Purdue before being appointed head of the agricultural engineering department at Virginia Tech in 1979. The department has since been renamed as the Department of Biological Systems Engineering.

During his tenure as department head, he revitalized the graduate program and helped establish a doctoral program. In 1986 he stepped down from his administrative position to return to the classroom and laboratory full time.

Over his career, Haugh has taught courses and conducted research on farm machinery, farm structures design, instrumentation, research methods, the physical properties of biological materials, food processing, aquaculture engineering, design of post-harvest facilities, and equipment for fruits and vegetables.

He plans to retire from Virginia Tech this spring.

He and his wife, Patricia, live in Blacksburg. They have three children and four grandchildren.