FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Peers in the nation's oldest national engineering society have selected R. Panneer Selvam, a University of Arkansas professor of civil engineering, a "Fellow" in the organization, a distinction afforded only a fraction of its membership.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), founded in 1852, represents more than 130,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide, 6,748 of whom have been elevated to the grade of "Fellow."

"It is a great honor to be selected," explained Robert Marshall, ASCE membership coordinator. "It is a very difficult level to attain and it signifies they have contributed at a very high level to the profession."

Selvam agreed: "It represents important work and notable achievements. Your peers look at your background and acknowledge that 'yes, you are somebody worthy of this status.' It is an honor."

Selvam completed the rigorous application process in December and was selected by the ASCE review committee Jan. 4. To be selected as a fellow, the second-highest grade ASCE members can achieve, an engineer must receive multiple recommendations from ASCE fellows, key members and leadership. Those testimonials are accompanied by an exhaustive application detailing notable achievements, awards and honors, professional activities, civic contributions and publications.

Selvam has published more than 170 papers during his 18-year tenure at the university. The founder of the computational mechanics lab, he has received worldwide media attention for his diverse body of work, most notably in the area of wind engineering. Selvam created a computer program that can help buildings be constructed to be tornado-resistant. He's also pioneered computer modeling to eliminate what is known as "bridge flutter," the complex flapping or swaying that can lead to potentially devastating bridge collapses.

Selvam was eligible to apply to become an ASCE fellow in 2003, after completing the 10 required membership years, but put off his application. He says he has his UA civil engineering colleagues to thank for their encouragement.

"They motivated me," Selvam grinned. "The other fellows said, 'Look at what you've achieved, come join our group. It is your time. Why are you not doing it?'"