FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — C. Richard Cassady, associate professor and holder of the John L. Imhoff Chair in industrial engineering, has been named winner of the most prestigious teaching award at the University of Arkansas: the Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award. The award includes a $5,000 stipend, and is given to a UA faculty member at the end of the academic year.

“I am honored to receive this award and proud to have my name listed among previous recipients,” Cassady said after learning he had received the award. “Teaching is the part of my career that I love the most, so this ranks at the top of my professional achievements.”

Cassady is a native of Martinsville, Va.  He earned his bachelor, master’s and doctoral degrees in industrial and systems engineering from Virginia Tech. He joined the university in 2000 as an assistant professor in industrial engineering, earned tenure as an associate professor in 2004, and was named to the John L. Imhoff Chair in industrial engineering in 2006.  Cassady was named Faculty Member of the Year for 2004-2005 by the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering; Outstanding Researcher in the Department of Industrial Engineering the same year; in 2005 he received the first Imhoff Outstanding Teacher Award, for the College of Engineering.  So far he has received more than a half dozen teaching awards and several research awards during his career with the university.

In his letter informing Cassady of the award, Bob Smith, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, wrote, “You have truly found the keys to active engagement and learning and our students and our university have been the beneficiaries of your extraordinary creativity and dedication.”

  Cassady’s primary research interests are in repairable systems modeling, which involves applying probability, optimization, simulation and statistics to problems related to evaluating, improving or optimizing the performance of repairable equipment. He also conducts research in the areas of reliability engineering, statistical quality control, logistics systems modeling and sports applications of operations research. His research has been widely published in professional and scholarly publications. In addition he has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on 28 projects funded by various government agencies and industrial organizations. These projects had a total expenditure of more than $2.48 million, including approximately $380,000 in matching funds.

In his role as a teacher Cassady has supervised 10 doctoral dissertations, 13 masters’ theses, and two undergraduate theses.

Dean Ashok Saxena of the College of Engineering said Cassady is skilled at bringing his professional and research expertise to the classroom.

“Today’s engineering students will be solving some of the biggest issues facing the world tomorrow. Dr. Cassady has a unique ability to reach students and get them excited about engineering. We are very proud to have him as part of the college of engineering team.  His recognition is well deserved,” said Saxena.

The Baum Award winner is chosen by a committee of students, faculty and alumni appointed by the provost. The award was established in 1997 by a gift from the Charles and Nadine Baum Foundation. Last year’s award went to Amy Herzberg, associate professor of drama and director of performing arts. Other past recipients include: Robert Stapp (2004), Jeff Murray (2003), Douglas A. James (2002), Elliot West (2001), Lynda L. Coon (2000), Ro DiBrezzo (1999), Hamdy A. Taha (1998) and Doris M. Cook (1997).