![[ College of Engineering ]](../media/graphics/coelogo.gif){kind=small}
![[ News and Information ]](../media/graphics/newsinfologo.gif){kind=small}
 |
 |
|
|
| Dr. Johnson (Photo: Kathi McBlief) | |
|
|
|
With sparkling eyes and a wide smile, Richard Johnson radiates vitality. As professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at North Carolina State University, Johnson successfully manages a large number of administrative, research and teaching activities and is an active member of professional organizations. However, it is his commitment to teaching that has won him the special admiration and respect of his students and 32 teaching excellence awards during his tenure at NC State.
Since joining the faculty in 1981, most of Johnson’s research has been in renewable energy and energy efficiency. He has worked closely with the North Carolina Solar Center, which provides information, research and training in renewable energy programs. He believes that research is an essential part of teaching because it involves one-on-one mentoring and demonstrates real-life challenges in the classroom. In fact, Johnson evaluates many of his activities from his role as teacher.
According to Johnson, “Teaching is a multifaceted activity that takes place in many different ways, in a variety of settings, and with many different levels of interaction between student and teacher. The primary goal is always to strengthen the intellectual goal of the student. I believe that effective teaching takes time and commitment.”
 |
|
|
|
| The North Carolina State University student chapter of ASME took first place in the 2001-02 Interregional Student Section Contest. Pictured are (left to right) Dr. Richard R. Johnson, faculty advisor; Aryn Bergman, chapter chair; Elizabeth Baldwin, vice chair; Nicole Kaufman, treasurer; Nathan Block, secretary; and Dr. Mohammad N. Noori, professor and head of mechanical and aerospace engineering. (Photo: Kathi McBlief) | |
|
|
|
Nowhere is that commitment more apparent than in the work he does as faculty advisor to the NC State University chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, known as ASME. Johnson has guided the ASME student chapter for 21 years. “I like working with students,” he said. “I teach senior-level courses, but as faculty advisor I get to meet students early on.”
Under his guidance, the ASME student chapter has become one of the largest and most active student groups in the nation. The chapter has the eighth highest members-to-students ratio on campus and places in the top ten in this regard among other ASME student sections.
Recently, the chapter took first place in the 2001-02 ASME Interregional Student Section Contest, co-sponsored by ASME International and Ingersoll-Rand. This annual event, involving student sections from a number of regions, is a two-part event. Student sections earn points based on various types of year-long activities, including technical events and service projects. With a grand total of 4,535 points, NC State took first place, overwhelming the 3,775-point score of runner-up Virginia Tech, the previous year’s first place winner.
Although Johnson gives ASME student officers credit for the chapter’s success over the years, Dr. Mohammad N. Noori, professor and head of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, firmly states that “the secret of the chapter’s success is the devotion of Dr. Johnson.” Once, when Johnson was on leave to his native South Africa as a Fulbright scholar, he left for a week to travel back to the US, at his own expense, just to take a group of students to the annual ASME meeting, as he does every year.
ASME International also recognizes Johnson’s devotion. In 1996 the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, now known as ASME International, gave Dr. Johnson the national Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award. Prior to that he had received the ASME Region IV Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award three times.
Johnson has received numerous such awards over the years for his teaching style and effectiveness. In 1989 he was named alumni distinguished professor, and over the years he has received several NC State outstanding teacher awards, as well as special student awards such as the Square Wheel Award for the teacher with the most unique teaching style, as well as the Impact Award for the professor who has had the most positive impact on graduating seniors in mechanical engineering.
Perhaps the best accolade comes from one student who notes, “He is one of the most dynamic, interesting instructors at NC State. If you can clone him, I recommend it.”
— mcblief —
| The students’ affection and respect for “Dr. J.” has culminated in an endowment initiative. Mechanical engineering students at NC State and recent alumni have started the Dr. Richard R. Johnson Endowment Fund to create a scholarship for NC State mechanical engineering students and to provide support for the ASME student chapter. According to Saunders Campbell (BSME 2001), who is responsible for the initiative, "For years Dr. J. has championed the cause of ASME at NC State. His support, through time and donations, has been instrumental in keeping NC State's section of this professional society at award-winning levels. Through this scholarship initiative, we strive to honor Dr. J. for all his support and to provide for his cherished ASME section for many years to come. " To make a donation to this fund, please send a check, payable to the “NC State Engineering Foundation, Inc.” (with “Richard Johnson Fund” in the memo line), to NC State Engineering Foundation, Inc., Campus Box 7901, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7901. |
/ Inner Views Index / Inner Views Archives Index /