LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas A&M Engineering’s Dr. G. Kemble Bennett has been named a Distinguished Engineer by the College of Engineering at Texas Tech University. Bennett, who holds a doctorate in industrial engineering from Texas Tech, will be one of four alumni honored by Texas Tech’s College of Engineering during its 41st Annual Distinguished Engineer Awards Ceremony March 30 in Lubbock. Bennett is vice chancellor of engineering for The Texas A&M University System, director of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, dean of the Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University and a professor of industrial engineering at Texas A&M. In his position, he leads one of the largest engineering education, research and service programs in the nation, overseeing more than 4,060 employees, an operating budget of $282 million and more than $350 million in research expenditures. Bennett joined the Texas A&M faculty in 1986 and prior to his current appointment, served as professor and department head in industrial engineering; associate dean; associate vice chancellor; and director of the Texas Engineering Extension Service. He has also held faculty positions at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the University of South Florida as well as senior engineering positions at the Martin Co., Lockheed Research Laboratories and the Honeywell Aerospace Corp. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and has been recognized for his professional contributions by being elected a Fellow of both the Society of Logistics Engineers and the Institute of Industrial Engineers. He was awarded the Eccles Medal by the Society of Logistics Engineers for his contributions to logistics engineering and has been recognized as a distinguished educator through the awarding of the Albert G. Holzman Award by the Institute of Industrial Engineers. In 2006, Gov. Rick Perry appointed Bennett to a five-year term on the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, which licenses engineers, enforces the Texas Engineering Practice Act and regulates the practice of professional engineering in Texas. Recipients of the Texas Tech University College of Engineering Distinguished Engineer Award are honored for making significant societal accomplishments and bringing credit to both Texas Tech and the engineering profession. They were nominated and selected based on factors such as their integrity, stature, professional distinction, areas of interest outside of engineering and ability to inspire others.
