Dr. Donald Weinkauf, Distinguished Teaching Award

by Kathy Hedges

SOCORRO - New Mexico Tech presented its distinguished Teaching Award to Dr. Donald Weinkauf, associate professor of chemical engineering, at Commencement ceremonies on May 12, 2001.

Weinkauf came to New Mexico Tech in 1996 when the chemical engineering program was just getting started. He has been key in getting that program successfully running, and he is currently its chair. But in addition to his duties in that respect, he has also shown a dedication to his students that has inspired them to nominate him for this award.

The many students who wrote in to nominate Don said that he was not only enthusiastic and energetic in classroom instruction, but that he also works hard for students outside of class - advising, finding internships, and spending a great deal of time helping the student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

One student said, "In the four years that I have been here, he has helped me every step of the way, making sure that I achieve my goals. He has helped me in classes that he was not the professor for. He has written many letters of recommendation for me. He has gone above and beyond what is required of an advisor. He has been supportive, informative, helpful, and most of all, a good friend."

Weinkauf received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his bachelor's in chemical engineering from Iowa State University. He conducts research on the use of plasma polymerization and plasma treatments to modify the surfaces of special engineering materials. Before coming to New Mexico Tech, he was a research engineer with the Shell Chemical Company in Houston, Tex.