FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Walter LeFevre, University Professor emeritus of civil engineering, will receive the 2005 National Engineering Award from the American Association of Engineering Societies on Monday, May 9, in Washington, D.C.

Established in 1979, the award is presented on behalf of the engineering profession to those engineers whose leadership and accomplishment have particularly benefited humanity.  Specifically, the award focuses on inspirational leadership and tireless devotion to the improvement of engineering education, to the advancement of the engineering profession, as well as to the development of sound public policies as an engineer and statesman. 

“I am so honored to have been considered,” said Lefevre. “But awards are not as significant as the friendships made.”

LeFevre was the founding director of the Mack-Blackwell National Rural Transportation Center, which is based in the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas. This center funds $2.5 million worth of multidisciplinary transportation research each year through federal and state sources. LeFevre has been at the college since 1973, serving as head of the civil engineering department and interim dean. Although LeFevre retired two years ago, he continues to teach and assist in research procurement.

LeFevre received bachelor and master’s degrees from Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, and a doctoral degree from Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. He has taught at Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.