The recipients will be honored at an awards banquet on May 17, the evening before the School of Engineering's spring commencement ceremonies. They are:

• Kevin J. Kennedy, chief executive officer of JDS Uniphase. Kennedy, who earned two master's degrees and a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from Rutgers in 1979, 1981 and 1982, is being honored as alumnus of the year.
• Irwin M. Lachman, a retired senior research associate at Corning Inc. Lachman is being honored for lifetime achievement. He received his bachelor's degree in ceramic engineering from Rutgers in 1952.
• David S. Kosson, professor and chair of the department of civil and environmental engineering, professor of chemical engineering and professor of earth and environmental sciences at Vanderbilt University. Kosson is being honored for achievement in academia. He received his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in chemical and biochemical engineering from Rutgers in 1983, 1984 and 1986.

At the same event, the school's alumni association the Rutgers Engineering Society will present its distinguished engineer award to Constantine P. Sarkos, manager of aircraft fire safety research and development at the Federal Aviation Administration. Sarkos received his bachelor's degree in engineering and his master's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Rutgers in 1963 and 1965. The society has been presenting its distinguished engineer award since 1960.

"Rutgers has a long and proud history of engineering education, with graduates who have risen to leadership positions in government, industry and academia worldwide," said Michael Klein, de
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Contact: Carl Blesch
cblesch@ur.rutgers.edu
732-932-7084 x616
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
1-May-2006